Buffalo, NY to Mariners Harbor, NY is 371.4 miles and takes about 7h 54m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will keep you primarily on highways as you travel across New York and into Pennsylvania before returning to New York. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel over extensive sightseeing. Plan for two stops along the way to break up the 7 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. The total journey covers 371.4 miles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.7 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Mariners Harbor, NY.
1
Start on NY 384
100 ft·2 sec·Niagara Square
2
Continue on Perkins Drive
321 ft·16 sec·Perkins Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Elmwood Avenue
4
Keep slight right at fork
206 ft·8 sec
5
At end of road, turn right onto Church Street
501 ft·16 sec·Church Street
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
175 ft·4 sec
Toward I 190, NY 5 West: Skyway, Peace Bridge, Canada
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: SkywayUse the left / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Exit 54-61Toward I 90 West: ErieUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 54Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East AuroraUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 400
12 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
14
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
15
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
16
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
17
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
18
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
19
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
20
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
21
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
22
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
23
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
25
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
26
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
35
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
36
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
37
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
39
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
40
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
41
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
42
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
44
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
45
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
47
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
48
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
49
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
50
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
51
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
52
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
53
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
54
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
55
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
56
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
57
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
58
Continue on I 278
0.4 mi·37 sec·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 4Toward Forest Avenue, Gulf AvenueUse the slight right lane.
60
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Use the slight left lane.
61
Turn straight onto Forest Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Forest Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
62
Turn left onto Union Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·Union Avenue
Use the left lane.
63
Turn left onto Forest Court
276 ft·16 sec·Forest Court
64
Turn right onto Bush Avenue
490 ft·26 sec·Bush Avenue
65
Turn right onto Coonley Court
333 ft·16 sec·Coonley Court
66
Arrive at destination
Coonley Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 54m journey, consider departing early in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight to complete the 371.4 miles. With two recommended stops, you can strategically plan breaks to refuel and stretch. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 100 miles, so be sure to manage your fuel and restroom needs before entering these longer segments. Given the highway-focused profile, paying attention to traffic patterns on I 81 and the Keystone Shortway will be beneficial for maintaining a smooth pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 82 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.7 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mariners Harbor, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buffalo, NY
This is one driving day of about 371.4 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 44
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 331.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
8
5.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 54-61
Toward I 90 West: Erie
8
7.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 54
Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
9
255.8 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
331.1 mi into trip|~6h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.36 one way
$120.72 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$65.33
$130.66
premium
$4.87
$71.15
$142.30
diesel
$5.40
$79.00
$158.01
Estimated Tolls: $16.30
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)$0.24
New York State Thruway
(1.3 mi)$0.06
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.4
1
$39.00
$17.83
Efficient EV
92.9
1
$32.50
$14.86
EV Truck/SUV
148.6
1
$52.00
$23.77
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Late night
in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mariners Harbor, NY
Late night
in Mariners Harbor on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 54m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 371.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 70% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll experience long stretches of relatively fast-paced travel, including a segment of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway without needing to exit. The drive is characterized by its directness, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B efficiently. While primarily interstate, you'll navigate through parts of the Northeast, offering a consistent driving experience for most of the 371.4 miles.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 371.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buffalo, NY and Mariners Harbor, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong and Morristown Airport.
The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.
Top landmarks
•Buffalo AKG Art Museum — art museum in New York, US
•Buffalo City Hall — skyscraper and municipal building in Buffalo, New York, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 371.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.30 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mariners Harbor, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Governors Island National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mariners Harbor, NY before the return drive.
