Trip from Buffalo, NY to Montauk, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

10h 38m

Distance

491.3 mi

791 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$81

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

10h 29m ★

6 AM

10h 38m

8 AM

10h 57m

10 AM

10h 45m

12 PM

10h 43m

3 PM

10h 46m

5 PM

10h 56m

8 PM

10h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

census-designated place in New York, United States

Montauk, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on this 491.3-mile journey from Buffalo, NY, to Montauk, NY, will take approximately 10 hours and 38 minutes of driving time. This trip is best tackled over two days, given its duration, and is estimated to cost around $81 in fuel. The route primarily utilizes the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and Long Island Expressway, making it a largely highway-focused experience across the Northeast. With three recommended stops, you can break up the drive comfortably. This drive offers a straightforward path across New York State, connecting two distinct points within the same region.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

245.6 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Southern Tier Expressway	104.5 mi	2h 2m
Keystone Shortway	80 mi	1h 37m
Long Island Expressway	53.4 mi	1h 12m
I 81	53.4 mi	1h 3m
Genesee Expressway	32.6 mi	37m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
Montauk Highway	16.9 mi	31m
Sunrise Highway	13.2 mi	15m

Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Montauk, NY.

Start on NY 384

100 ft · 2 sec · Niagara Square

Continue on Perkins Drive

321 ft · 16 sec · Perkins Drive

At end of road, turn left onto NY 5

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Elmwood Avenue

Keep slight right at fork

206 ft · 8 sec

At end of road, turn right onto Church Street

501 ft · 16 sec · Church Street

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

175 ft · 4 sec

Toward I 190, NY 5 West: Skyway, Peace Bridge, Canada

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway Use the left / right lanes.

Merge onto I 190

4.9 mi · 6 min · Niagara Thruway

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 28 sec

Exit 54-61 Toward I 90 West: Erie Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 90

1.3 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec

Exit 54 Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NY 400

12 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora

Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 20A; NY 78

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · West Buffalo Street

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Perry Center Road

Continue on CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road

Turn right onto NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

Continue on NY 36

4.1 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6

Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380

Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 295

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island

Merge onto I 495

53 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 70 Toward CR 111: Manorville, Eastport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 111

4.6 mi · 7 min · Captain Daniel Roe Highway

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 49 sec

Toward NY 27 East: Montauk

Merge onto NY 27

13 mi · 15 min · Sunrise Highway

Continue on NY 27; CR 39

5.5 mi · 11 min · County Road 39

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Montauk Highway

10 mi · 20 min · Montauk Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on NY 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · Woods Lane

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Pantigo Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on NY 27

1.1 mi · 2 min · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 27

5.5 mi · 8 min · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27

4.6 mi · 6 min · Montauk Point State Parkway

Continue on NY 27

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Montauk Highway

Turn left onto Second House Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Second House Road

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Second House Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 10-hour-plus drive, plan for an overnight split, ideally breaking the journey around the halfway point. Starting early in the morning will allow you to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With three planned stops, aim to space them out to avoid fatigue, perhaps after roughly 3-4 hours of driving each time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might be less frequent in certain areas.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 245.6 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 5h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 108 miles or 2h 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 245.6 miles or 5h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 245.6 miles or 5h 8m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 9h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montauk, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buffalo, NY

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Montauk, NY

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Buffalo, NY.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

246 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

246 mi · about 5.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 246 miles or 5.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Corning, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Union, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 245.6 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 5.3 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Flushing, New York

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 386

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Little Neck, New York

2.6 mi

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owego, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.5

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 386

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 386

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 350.9

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10 mile 350.9

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 386

College Point, New York

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+13473684407

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 386

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 386

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 350.9

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.5

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 175.5

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 105.3

Bath, New York

+18332172197

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 140.4

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 140.4

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, NY

Hours: Closed

+17168471773

Visit website

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17166555131

Visit website

Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Escape Garden State

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 350.9

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19738822900

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 41

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 370.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

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

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...

370.7 mi into trip | ~7h 37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$80.87 one way

$161.74 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$87.45	$174.90
premium	$4.92	$95.22	$190.45
diesel	$5.61	$108.47	$216.95

Estimated Tolls: $22.85

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

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

$81

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$234–$344

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 171.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: sparse

Aldi TUL 80 Elmwood

Buffalo, NY

RED_E

4 DCFC

SWTCH Energy Inc.

Buffalo, NY

SWTCH

4 DCFC

RED_E: 1 SWTCH: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	147.4	1	$51.59	$23.58
Efficient EV	122.8	1	$42.99	$19.65
EV Truck/SUV	196.5	2	$68.78	$31.44

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

57 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 18, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Night in Buffalo on Saturday

Local time

9:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 to 20 mph 85% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Destination

Montauk, NY

Night in Montauk on Saturday

Local time

9:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Patchy Fog

E 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

49°F

Ramapo, NY

246 mi in

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

25 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

10h 38m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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.

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

Expect a highway-focused drive with 61% of the journey on major roadways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While predominantly highway, this route will likely provide a mix of driving experiences as you transition between the different named expressways. The overall feel is one of efficient travel across the state, allowing you to cover ground steadily.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

70 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 Keystone Shortway. 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 Effort 10/10

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 41 significant decision points across 491.3 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 Montauk, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.

Mt Pocono

255.8 mi in | ~5h 20m | via US 6

Milford

256.6 mi in | ~5h 21m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

370.4 mi in | ~7h 36m

Leonia

370.7 mi in | ~7h 37m

Teaneck

370.7 mi in | ~7h 37m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

372.9 mi in | ~7h 41m

Eastern Long Island

387.8 mi in | ~8h 1m

Cr 111: Manorville

441.7 mi in | ~9h 15m

Eastport

441.7 mi in | ~9h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Buffalo, NY

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

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.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.

Expect about $22.85 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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 Montauk, 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 10.6 hours each way, a round trip means 21.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Montauk, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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