Buffalo to Riverside is 451.5 miles and takes about 9h 37m via the Southern Tier Expressway, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll be covering ground efficiently. Consider this route if you want a direct path across the state without too many detours, aiming for a practical journey over a scenic one.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
225.8 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 45m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Riverside, 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
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
36
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
38
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
40
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
45
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
49
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
50
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
54
Merge onto I 495
53 mi·1 hr 12 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 70Toward CR 111: Manorville, EastportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Turn right onto CR 111
3.6 mi·5 min·Captain Daniel Roe Highway
Use the right lane.
57
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward CR 51: East Moriches-Riverhead Road
58
Turn straight onto CR 51
4.3 mi·5 min·East Moriches-Riverhead Road
59
Turn right
0.8 mi·5 min
60
Turn right
0.6 mi·3 min
61
Turn left
112 ft·8 sec
62
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of nearly 10 hours, splitting this trip over two days is strongly recommended to avoid fatigue. Plan your overnight stop strategically; the data suggests around 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway as a significant segment to consider for pacing. Ensure your fuel tank is topped up before departing, as highway travel can sometimes mean longer distances between services. Keep an eye on your fuel cost estimate of $74 to manage your budget effectively on this journey.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 225.8 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 45m 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 99 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225.8 miles or 4h 45m 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 225.8 miles or 4h 45m
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 8h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverside, 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 226 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Riverside, NY
Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
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 40
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.
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...
9
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
$74.32 one way
$148.64 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg158 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$80.36
$160.73
premium
$4.92
$87.51
$175.02
diesel
$5.61
$99.69
$199.37
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
$74
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 158 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135.5
1
$47.41
$21.67
Efficient EV
112.9
1
$39.51
$18.06
EV Truck/SUV
180.6
2
$63.21
$28.90
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 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 16, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Night
in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Riverside, NY
Night
in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
226 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
8 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
9h 37m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey on major expressways. You'll experience extended periods of consistent travel, including a longest stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a steady pace as you navigate the main roads like the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and Long Island Expressway, designed for efficient transit across the state. The character remains consistently geared towards covering distance.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
62 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 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 40 significant decision points across 451.5 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 Riverside, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
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.
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 226 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.
Yes — we found about 38 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Riverside, 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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Riverside, NY before the return drive.
