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Trip from Buffalo, NY to South Beach, 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

8h 3m

Distance

377.4 mi

607 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$62

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
7h 55m ★
6 AM
8h 4m
8 AM
8h 21m
10 AM
8h 10m
12 PM
8h 8m
3 PM
8h 10m
5 PM
8h 20m
8 PM
7h 59m

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

Downtown South Beach, NY, NY

South Beach, NY

Sarah O'Shea

Trip Overview

Buffalo, NY to South Beach, NY is 377.4 miles and takes about 8h 3m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $62 and best enjoyed over 2 days. This highway-focused journey takes you across the Northeast, primarily within New York State, making it a convenient option for those looking to explore the region. With a recommended 2-day itinerary, you can comfortably manage the drive, avoiding a marathon day behind the wheel. The estimated fuel cost of $62 provides a clear budget marker for planning your expenses on this trip.

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

188.7 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
Keystone Shortway 46.1 mi 59m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Aurora Expressway 12.4 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 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 South Beach, 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 right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
28

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.
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, Milford Use the straight lane.
30

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward 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 28 Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong Use 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 37 Toward NJ 24 East: Springfield Use 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: Newark Use 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 54 Toward Hillside, Irvington Use the slight right lane.
47

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 29 sec
Toward Hillside Use 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

2.2 mi · 3 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59

Keep slight left at fork onto I 278

3.6 mi · 5 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 14 Toward Hylan Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
61

Turn straight onto Narrows Road South

0.4 mi · 1 min · Narrows Road South
Use the straight lane.
62

Turn right onto Hylan Boulevard

504 ft · 17 sec · Hylan Boulevard
63

Continue on Hylan Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hylan Boulevard
64

Turn left onto Sand Lane

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sand Lane
Use the left lane.
65

Turn right onto Father Capodanno Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Father Capodanno Boulevard
66

Turn right

518 ft · 37 sec
67

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 8h 3m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over 2 recommended days is a smart approach. Plan to depart early to maximize daylight and make the most of your stops. With 2 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, to ensure you don't run low between service areas. Your estimated fuel cost is around $62, so keep that in mind for budgeting.

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 188.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 1m 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 83 miles or 1h 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 188.7 miles or 4h 1m 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 188.7 miles or 4h 1m

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 6h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Beach, 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 189 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into South Beach, NY

Aim for roughly 189 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 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.

city in New York, USA

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Cortland, NY

189 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 Cortland, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Cortland, NY

189 mi · about 4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Cortland, NY after about 189 miles or 4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Howard, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 188.7 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 189 miles or 4 hours on the road.

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.

Best meal stop · final third

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 1h 44m to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Rab's Country Lanes

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Staten Island, New York

0.8 mi

Cafe Latte

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Staten Island, New York

0.9 mi

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Rab's Country Lanes

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

+17189791600

Visit website

Cafe Latte

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+17189870192

Nino's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17184483838

Visit website

Cafe Luna

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 12–11 pm

+17183513235

Visit website

L'allegria Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Madison, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+19733776808

Visit website

Americano Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+16312132517

Visit website

Cinar Mediterranean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Livingston, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–8:30 pm

+19733151616

Visit website

Healing Bean Cafe | Arts and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13474974202

Visit website

Fairytale Island

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: Closed

+17183950835

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Waverly, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Livingston, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Short Hills, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 5:30 am–7:30 pm

+17183517923

Visit website

Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Ocean Breeze Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Staten Island, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+17183517923

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

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

$62.12 one way

$124.24 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $67.17 $134.35
premium $4.92 $73.15 $146.29
diesel $5.61 $83.33 $166.65

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

$62

Tolls

$16

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$208–$318

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 113.2 1 $39.63 $18.12
Efficient EV 94.4 1 $33.02 $15.10
EV Truck/SUV 151 1 $52.84 $24.15

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 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

Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday

Local time

8:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Mostly Clear

SE 2 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

South Beach, NY

Morning in South Beach on Tuesday

Local time

8:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Mostly Cloudy

E 6 mph 0% chance 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.

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

Very similar conditions

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

Road read

8h 3m 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.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 377.4
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
Park Closure: Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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 ~20 min detour Free near mile 377.4
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 377.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 377.4
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 377.4
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 377.4
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 70% of the journey utilizing major expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. You'll experience the efficiency of the highway system for much of the 8h 3m trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the profile is largely highway, expect transitions between these main arteries as you navigate the 377.4 miles.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
67 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 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 44 significant decision points across 377.4 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 South Beach, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.

Mt Pocono

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

Milford

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

Lake Hopatcong

331.1 mi in | ~6h 52m

Morristown Airport

345.2 mi in | ~7h 10m

New York City

356.5 mi in | ~7h 25m

Newark

356.5 mi in | ~7h 25m

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

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 189 miles on day one.

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 South Beach, 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 — Gateway National Recreation Area, Governors Island National Monument and Statue Of Liberty 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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Beach, 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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