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Trip from Buffalo, NY to Oneonta, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 5m

Distance

229.6 mi

370 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 52m ★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 58m

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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Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Otsego County, New York, United States

Oneonta, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 229.6-mile drive from Buffalo, NY, to Oneonta, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 5 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway and State Highway 23, with a portion on the Cherry Valley Turnpike. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is about $38, making it a budget-friendly option. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a mixed driving experience as you travel across New York state.

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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

114.8 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 100.9 mi 1h 57m
State Highway 23 18.6 mi 26m
Cherry Valley Turnpike 18 mi 22m
State Route 80 17.3 mi 24m
County Road 16 11.8 mi 16m
Clark Street Road 9.6 mi 11m
Rexford Street 8.7 mi 10m
Kensington Expressway 6.8 mi 9m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 100.9 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 384

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Niagara Square
2

Continue on Court Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Court Street
3

Continue on Lafayette Square

372 ft · 18 sec · Lafayette Square
4

Turn left onto Washington Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Washington Street
5

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Genesee Street
6

Turn left onto Elm Street

263 ft · 7 sec · Elm Street
Use the left lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward NY 33 East
8

Continue on NY 33

6.8 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto I 90

101 mi · 1 hr 57 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
13

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
14

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
15

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
16

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
18

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
19

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
20

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
21

Continue on US 20

2.3 mi · 5 min · West Genesee Street Road
22

Continue on US 20

18 mi · 22 min · Cherry Valley Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
23

Turn slight right onto Apulia Road

4.3 mi · 6 min · Apulia Road
24

At end of road, turn left onto NY 80

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Route 80
25

Continue on NY 80; NY 91

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
26

Continue on NY 80

4.1 mi · 5 min · State Route 80
27

Continue on NY 80

2.0 mi · 2 min · Fabius Road
28

Continue on NY 13; NY 80

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
29

Continue on NY 13; NY 80

1.1 mi · 1 min · McKinley Street
30

Continue on NY 13; NY 80

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Route 13
31

Continue on NY 80

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 80
32

Continue on NY 26; NY 80

2.7 mi · 3 min · State Route 80
33

Continue on NY 26; NY 80

2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 26
34

Turn left onto CR 16

12 mi · 16 min · County Road 16
35

Turn left onto NY 23

1.2 mi · 1 min · NY 23
36

Turn left onto CR 44

2.8 mi · 3 min · County Road 44
37

Turn right onto NY 12

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
38

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Broad Street
39

Turn left onto NY 23

8.7 mi · 10 min · Rexford Street
40

Continue on NY 23

7.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 23
41

At end of road, turn left onto NY 23; NY 51

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
42

Turn right onto NY 23

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Broad Street
Use the right lane.
43

Continue on NY 23

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 23
44

Continue on NY 23

0.8 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
45

At end of road, turn right onto NY 205; NY 23

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
Use the right lane.
46

Turn left onto NY 23

2.3 mi · 5 min · Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
47

Turn right onto Main Street

129 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
Use the right lane.
48

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

For this roughly 5-hour drive, leaving Buffalo in the morning will allow you to reach Oneonta with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 100.9 miles on the Thruway, plan your break strategically to coincide with this longer highway segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing Buffalo. Being a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, monitoring traffic on the New York State Thruway, especially near urban areas, is a good idea to ensure smooth progress.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 114.8 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.9 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 51 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 114.8 miles or 2h 20m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 4m

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buffalo, NY

This is one driving day of about 229.6 miles and 5h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 100.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Onondaga County, New York, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

LaFayette, NY

115 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Le Roy, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Auburn, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.8 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 New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.9 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus / 1911 Tasting Room

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lafayette, New York

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13156966085

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Skaneateles, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Clarence, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Williamsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Quick Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18552703107

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Phelps, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

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

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

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 226.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Washington Street

Turn left onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Elm Street

Turn left onto Elm Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
7.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
8
109.1 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
6
226.6 mi into trip | ~4h 58m in | NY 205; NY 23 / State Highway 23

At end of road, turn right onto NY 205; NY 23 / State Highway 23

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.79 one way

$75.59 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $40.87 $81.73
premium $4.92 $44.50 $89.00
diesel $5.61 $50.69 $101.39

Estimated Tolls: $6.31

New York State Thruway (100.9 mi) $5.05
Cherry Valley Turnpike (18 mi) $1.26

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

$38

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.9 0 $24.11 $11.02
Efficient EV 57.4 0 $20.09 $9.18
EV Truck/SUV 91.8 1 $32.14 $14.69

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday

Local time

9:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Sunny

NE 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Oneonta, NY

Morning in Oneonta on Tuesday

Local time

9:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

LaFayette, NY

115 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.

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 5m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 126.7
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 110.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is a mix, with 31% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 100.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, which is largely a consistent highway experience. As you transition to State Highway 23 and the Cherry Valley Turnpike, expect the road to become more varied, potentially offering a different feel. This profile suggests a journey that balances efficient highway travel with more local road segments, changing as you progress eastward.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 229.6 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 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 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.

On the drive from Buffalo, NY to Oneonta, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Clyde along the way.

Clyde

109.1 mi in | ~2h 10m

About the Cities

Starting in Buffalo, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1832

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
  • • USS Croaker — 1943 Gato-class submarine

Arriving in Oneonta, NY

Full guide →

Oneonta is in Otsego County, in Central New York.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 229.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.31 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. 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 Oneonta, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Women's Rights National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oneonta, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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