Buffalo to Wilmington is 353.3 miles and takes about 7h 37m via New York State Thruway, State Highway 8, and Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a good option for a single-day trip if you get an early start. Plan for a day that balances efficient travel with the need to navigate varied road types.
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
176.7 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
168.6 mi
3h 15m
State Highway 8
63.5 mi
1h 29m
Adirondack Northway
25.4 mi
29m
State Highway 365
22.3 mi
31m
NY 365
11.6 mi
15m
State Highway 9N
11.5 mi
17m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
Adirondack Trail
9.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Wilmington, 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, AlbanyUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 90
169 mi·3 hr 15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward NY 365: Verona, RomeUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto NY 365
12 mi·15 min·NY 365
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
14
Continue on NY 825
485 ft·16 sec·Wright Drive
15
Turn left onto King Pin Lane
0.3 mi·35 sec·King Pin Lane
16
At end of road, turn left onto NY 365
0.4 mi·43 sec·East Dominick Street
17
Continue on NY 365
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
18
Turn left onto NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·New Floyd Road
19
Continue on NY 365
3.3 mi·4 min·State Highway 365
20
Continue on NY 365
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
21
Continue on NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 365
22
Turn left onto NY 365
381 ft·10 sec·Mappa Avenue
23
Continue on NY 365
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 365
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 8
35 mi·48 min·State Highway 8
25
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 30
9.7 mi·14 min·Adirondack Trail
26
Turn left onto NY 8
29 mi·40 min·State Highway 8
27
Turn left onto US 9
5.6 mi·9 min·US 9
28
Turn left onto Stone Bridge Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·Stone Bridge Road
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
30
Merge onto I 87
25 mi·29 min·Adirondack Northway
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
32
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
33
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
34
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
35
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 9N
6.0 mi·9 min·State Highway 9N
36
Continue on NY 9N
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 9N
37
Turn left onto NY 86
4.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 86
38
Turn left onto CR 83
53 ft·1 sec·Springfield Road
39
Arrive at destination
CR 83
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Buffalo early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. You'll have about two stops planned, so consider using them for fuel and a break. The longest stretch without a major road change is 168.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $57 budget is an estimate and prices can vary, especially as you get further into more rural areas towards Wilmington.
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 176.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 78 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 28m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, 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 353.3 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 New York State Thruway for about 168.6 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 323.1 — 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
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
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 33
Toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
6
323.1 mi into trip|~6h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.54 one way
$117.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.57
$63.50
$126.99
premium
$4.99
$69.41
$138.82
diesel
$5.13
$71.41
$142.82
Estimated Tolls: $8.43
New York State Thruway
(168.6 mi)$8.43
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
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-20.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106
1
$37.10
$16.96
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
EV Truck/SUV
141.3
1
$49.46
$22.61
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 21, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Evening
in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 to 15 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 6:48PM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 6:47PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Wilmington, NY
Evening
in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 6:48PM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 6:47PM EDT by NWS Albany 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.
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
7h 37m 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 182.7
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 109.6
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 121.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this 353.3-mile route is highway, with the longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway measuring 168.6 miles. After the Thruway, you'll transition to State Highway 8 and then the Adirondack Northway, which will feel more like rural cruising. Be prepared for a shift in driving environment as you move from high-speed interstates to more varied surface road conditions.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 353.3 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 0.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,909 ft395 ft
Total Climb
2,318 ft
Total Descent
1,902 ft
Highest Point
1,909 ft
~277.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,514 ft
Notable High Points
1,537 ft at ~328.1 miles+522 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 Wilmington, NY, road signs point toward Rome and Keene Valley.
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
Wilmington is a town of 1,100 people in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, New York. It is home to Whiteface Mountain and the North Pole Santa theme park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 37m. Total distance: 353.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.43 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.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Wilmington, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. 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 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wilmington, NY before the return drive.
