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Trip from Buffalo, NY to Ossining, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 36m

Distance

357.7 mi

576 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
7h 27m ★
6 AM
7h 37m
8 AM
7h 56m
10 AM
7h 43m
12 PM
7h 41m
3 PM
7h 44m
5 PM
7h 55m
8 PM
7h 31m

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

town in Westchester County, New York, United States

Ossining, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 357.7-mile journey from Buffalo to Ossining, NY, is designed for a single day, estimated to take about 7 hours and 36 minutes of driving time. The route primarily follows I-86, also known as the Southern Tier Expressway, and the Genesee Expressway, making it a highway-focused drive. With a projected fuel cost of $59, this trip offers a straightforward transit across New York State, connecting two points within the Northeast region. You'll encounter two planned stops along the way, which is manageable given the overall duration. This drive is well-suited for those looking to cover distance efficiently.

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

178.8 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 129.9 mi 2h 40m
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
US 6 23.5 mi 34m
Aurora Expressway 12.4 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 mi 15m
Perry Center Road 7.4 mi 10m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Ossining, 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: Skyway Use 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 54-61 Toward I 90 West: Erie Use 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 54 Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora Use 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

130 mi · 2 hr 40 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit onto US 6

7.1 mi · 9 min · US 6
Exit 130A Toward US 6: Bear Mountain
29

Enter roundabout onto US 6

0.1 mi · 8 sec · US 6
30

Continue on US 6

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 6
31

Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 202

260 ft · 3 sec · US 6; US 202
32

Continue on US 6; US 202

4.2 mi · 7 min · US 6; US 202
Use the left lane.
33

Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 9; US 202

115 ft · 1 sec · US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
34

Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202

0.2 mi · 10 sec · US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
35

Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202

9.1 mi · 13 min · US 6; US 9; US 202
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit onto US 9

1.7 mi · 4 min · US 9
Toward US 9: Tarrytown
37

Turn sharp left onto NY 133

51 ft · 1 sec · Upper Croton Avenue
Use the left lane.
38

Arrive at destination

NY 133

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 36-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Buffalo to avoid potential traffic. With 357.7 miles to cover, pacing your two stops is key; perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 129.9-mile stretch on I-86. The $59 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra budgeted. This route is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, an overnight stop could be considered.

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 178.8 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 79 miles or 1h 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 178.8 miles or 3h 49m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ossining, 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 357.7 miles and 7h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 I 86 for about 129.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Union, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Union, NY

179 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

Hornell, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endicott, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.8 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 I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.

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 Coffee Stop

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owego, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 178.8

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 178.8

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 178.8

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 102.2

Bath, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19142874200

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 332.1

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 332.1

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.6

Dansville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 332.1

Harriman, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 332.1

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 178.8

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

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 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 202.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Church Street

At end of road, turn right onto Church Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
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
7
202.5 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in | I 86; NY 17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward New York

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.88 one way

$117.76 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $63.67 $127.34
premium $4.92 $69.33 $138.66
diesel $5.61 $78.98 $157.95

Estimated Tolls: $0.30

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

$59

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.3 1 $37.56 $17.17
Efficient EV 89.4 1 $31.30 $14.31
EV Truck/SUV 143.1 1 $50.08 $22.89

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Late night in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

3:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Chance Rain Showers

W 2 to 6 mph 42% chance Live forecast

Destination

Ossining, NY

Late night in Ossining on Sunday

Local time

3:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Union, NY

179 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

8 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 36m 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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 357.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 357.7
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect an 85% highway experience on this route, predominantly utilizing I-86 and the Southern Tier Expressway. This means you'll be on fast-paced, well-maintained roads for the majority of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I-86, so plan your breaks accordingly. While largely highway-focused, the Genesee Expressway segment might offer slightly different pacing. Overall, this drive emphasizes consistent forward motion and efficient travel.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Church Street.

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 23 significant decision points across 357.7 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 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

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 Ossining, NY, road signs begin pointing toward New York along the way.

New York

202.5 mi in | ~4h 17m | via I 86; NY 17

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.

Arriving in Ossining, NY

Full guide →

Ossining is the name of both a village and a town in Westchester County in the state of New York in the United States of America.

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 7h 36m. Total distance: 357.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.30 in tolls one way, starting with Niagara 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 Ossining, 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 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ossining, 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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Return Trip

Ossining, NY to Buffalo, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

357.7 mi 7h 36m

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