Origin
Buffalo, NY
Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to Theresa, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
232.7 mi
375 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Theresa, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Buffalo, NY to Theresa, NY is 232.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m via New York State Thruway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast. It's a straightforward drive that should feel manageable for a single day, offering a mix of highway speeds and potentially more local road feel as you approach your destination. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path across the state without excessive complexity.
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
116.4 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 138.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 68.8 mi | 1h 19m |
| NY 37 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| La Fargeville Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| NY 342 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Genesee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 138.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Theresa, 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
139 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
497 ft
·
14 sec
Exit 36
Toward I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 36
Toward I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
13
Turn straight
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse Airport, Watertown
14
Merge onto I 81
69 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 48
Toward NY 342: Black River, Carthage
16
Turn straight onto NY 342
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
NY 342
17
Turn left onto NY 37
13 mi
·
15 min
·
NY 37
18
Turn right onto NY 26
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
La Fargeville Road
19
Continue on NY 26
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
20
Turn left onto NY 26
42 ft
·
0 sec
·
Commercial Street
21
Arrive at destination
NY 26
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m estimated duration, starting your drive from Buffalo in the morning should allow ample time to reach Theresa before evening. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 138.6 miles, you can choose to make a single substantial break or several shorter ones as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before departing on the longest highway segment, as services can sometimes be less frequent on interstates. The $38 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for your budget.
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 116.4 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.6 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 116.4 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Theresa, 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 232.7 miles and 4h 35m.
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 138.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.4 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 216.8 — 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
146.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
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 36
Toward I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
6
216.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward NY 342: Black River, Carthage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward NY 342: Black River, Carthage
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.30 one way
$76.61 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $41.42 | $82.84 |
| premium | $4.92 | $45.10 | $90.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.38 | $102.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.93
New York State Thruway
(138.6 mi)
$6.93
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
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.43 | $11.17 |
| Efficient EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.36 | $9.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.58 | $14.89 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Theresa, NY
Morning in Theresa on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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.
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
3 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
4h 35m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey features a mixed drive profile, with 38% of the route on highways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 138.6 miles primarily on the New York State Thruway, which offers a consistent, higher-speed driving experience. As you transition to I-81 and then NY 37, the character of the drive may evolve, potentially offering glimpses of the surrounding landscape beyond the immediate highway corridor. Expect a blend of efficient travel and more localized road conditions.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
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 Theresa, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Watertown and Carthage.
Binghamton
146.8 mi in
|
~2h 53m
Watertown
147.5 mi in
|
~2h 55m
Carthage
216.8 mi in
|
~4h 15m
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 232.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.93 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 Theresa, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Theresa, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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