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Trip from Buffalo, NY to Windsor, 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

4h 30m

Distance

213 mi

343 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 18m ★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m

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 Windsor, NY, NY

Windsor, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

This 213-mile journey from Buffalo to Windsor, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Southern Tier Expressway, Genesee Expressway, and Aurora Expressway, about 75% of this drive is on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a projected fuel cost of $35, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. The route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent driving experience. Given its manageable length and highway focus, you can comfortably complete this drive in one go, though a single planned stop might enhance the experience.

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

106.5 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
Aurora Expressway 12.4 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 mi 15m
I 86 9.6 mi 11m
Perry Center Road 7.4 mi 10m
Niagara Thruway 4.9 mi 6m
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 Windsor, 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

9.6 mi · 11 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward New York
28

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 79 Toward NY 79: Windsor
29

Turn left onto NY 79

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Main Street
30

Turn left onto Church Street

308 ft · 15 sec · Church Street
31

Continue on Church Street

281 ft · 18 sec · Church Street
32

Turn left onto CR 28

182 ft · 3 sec · Chapel Street
33

Turn slight right

116 ft · 5 sec
34

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Buffalo to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With a single planned stop, you can break up the 213 miles effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might be less frequent. The $35 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra budgeted. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your timing.

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 106.5 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Windsor, 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 213 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bath, NY

107 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

Perry, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bath, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.5 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.

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.

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Dansville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

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

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 7.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Church Street

At end of road, turn right onto Church Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.06 one way

$70.12 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $37.91 $75.82
premium $4.92 $41.28 $82.57
diesel $5.61 $47.03 $94.06

Estimated Tolls: $0.30

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

$35

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.9 0 $22.37 $10.22
Efficient EV 53.3 0 $18.64 $8.52
EV Truck/SUV 85.2 1 $29.82 $13.63

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 21, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday

Local time

6:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Windsor, NY

Morning in Windsor on Tuesday

Local time

6:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

42°F

Bath, NY

107 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.

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

1 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 30m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 75% of the mileage on major expressways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, which offers a consistent pace. The Genesee Expressway and Aurora Expressway contribute to the overall highway character, minimizing complex intersections and maximizing forward momentum. This route is designed for efficient travel, offering a predictable and smooth experience behind the wheel.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Genesee Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 213 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 0.1 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 30m. Total distance: 213 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

Expect about $0.30 in tolls one way, starting with Niagara 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 Windsor, 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 0.1 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Windsor, 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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