Buffalo, NY to Tompkinsville, NY is 376.2 miles and takes about 8h 3m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $62 and an overnight recommendation. This highway-focused drive spans across the Northeast, connecting two points within New York State. While primarily on major roadways, it offers a straightforward path for those prioritizing efficient travel. Considering the 8-hour drive time, splitting this journey over two days is a sensible approach for a more relaxed experience. You'll find this route to be a practical choice for covering significant distance without extensive detours.
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
188.1 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Tompkinsville, 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
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse 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 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse 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: NewarkUse 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 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
47
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse 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
1.8 mi·2 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 12Toward Todt Hill Road, Slosson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
61
Turn left onto Slosson Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Slosson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
62
Turn right onto Victory Boulevard
2.8 mi·9 min·Victory Boulevard
Use the right lane.
63
Arrive at destination
Victory Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour estimated duration, planning for an overnight stay is highly recommended to avoid a single, long day of driving. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. With two recommended days, you can comfortably split the 376.2 miles, perhaps aiming for around 4 hours of driving each day. Be mindful of fuel stops; while the fuel cost is estimated at $62, it's wise to top up when you see stations, especially before embarking on longer stretches like the 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the journey effectively.
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 188.1 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 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 188.1 miles or 4h 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 188.1 miles or 4h
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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tompkinsville, 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 188 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tompkinsville, NY
Aim for roughly 188 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 41
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
$66.77 one way
$133.54 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$71.77
$143.55
premium
$5.24
$77.59
$155.19
diesel
$5.35
$79.24
$158.48
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
$67
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$213–$323
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.9
1
$39.50
$18.06
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.92
$15.05
EV Truck/SUV
150.5
1
$52.67
$24.08
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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Night
in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
N 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 3:40AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 3:40AM EDT until May 30 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Tompkinsville, NY
Night
in Tompkinsville on Wednesday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 3:40AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 3:40AM EDT until May 30 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
10 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
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 376.2
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 70% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 104.5 miles. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, primarily on well-maintained highways like I 81 and the Keystone Shortway. While the profile is predominantly high-speed travel, the transition between these main roads is generally smooth, allowing for steady progress across the landscape.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 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 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 41 significant decision points across 376.2 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,887 ft57 ft
Total Climb
2,232 ft
Total Descent
2,773 ft
Highest Point
1,887 ft
~268.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,830 ft
Notable High Points
1,887 ft at ~268.7 miles+756 ft prominence
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 Tompkinsville, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
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
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 188 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.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Tompkinsville, 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 33 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 — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Governors Island National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 Tompkinsville, NY before the return drive.
