Origin
Carle Place, NY
Morning in Carle Place on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carle Place, NY to Buffalo, 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
8h 21m
Distance
399 mi
642 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 14m
★
6 AM
8h 21m
8 AM
8h 36m
10 AM
8h 27m
12 PM
8h 25m
3 PM
8h 27m
5 PM
8h 36m
8 PM
8h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carle Place, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Carle Place, NY to Buffalo, NY is 399 miles and takes about 8h 21m via I 86 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, traversing the Northeast region. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey. Given the duration and distance, most travelers will find it a manageable overnight trip, though it can be completed in a single, long day if you prefer. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from Long Island to Western New York.
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
199.5 miles from Carle Place, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Aurora Expressway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carle Place, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on 12th Street
175 ft
·
11 sec
·
12th Street
2
Turn right onto Rushmore Avenue
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Rushmore Avenue
3
Turn right onto Westbury Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Westbury Avenue
4
Turn right onto Glen Cove Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Glen Cove Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto NY 25
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Jericho Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward N West: New York
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto N
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 27
Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Shelter Rock Road
371 ft
·
18 sec
·
Shelter Rock Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North Service Road
404 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Service Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 495 West
12
Merge onto I 495
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
18
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
21
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
22
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 80
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
33
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
34
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
38
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
39
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
40
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
41
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
42
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
43
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
44
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
45
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
46
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
47
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
48
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
49
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
50
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
51
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
54
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
55
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
56
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
57
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
With an estimated drive time of over 8 hours, splitting this trip into two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of daylight hours. Plan for at least two stops along the way, factoring in time for fuel and rest. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 100 miles on I 86, so be sure to top off your fuel before embarking on that segment. While the route is largely highway, keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach larger towns and cities.
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 199.5 miles from Carle Place, NY, or about 4h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 88 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.5 miles or 4h 7m 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 199.5 miles or 4h 7m
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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carle Place, 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 Carle Place, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Carle Place, 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 I 86 for about 100 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
200 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 Ithaca, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
200 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ithaca, NY after about 200 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 199.5 miles from Carle Place, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 200 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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 405 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 25.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtown
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 27
Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtow...
8
9.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
9.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
25.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.68 one way
$131.36 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
140 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $71.02 | $142.04 |
| premium | $4.92 | $77.33 | $154.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $88.09 | $176.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.14
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.28
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)
$0.24
New York State Thruway
(1.3 mi)
$0.07
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
$66
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.7 | 1 | $41.89 | $19.15 |
| Efficient EV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.91 | $15.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 159.6 | 1 | $55.86 | $25.54 |
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny
NE 2 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
8 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 21m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
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 leans heavily towards highway driving, with 63% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 86, which offers a consistent and relatively fast pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100 miles on I 86, so be prepared for extended periods of highway cruising. While the primary roads are interstates, expect some transitions as you navigate between them, but the overall profile remains highway-focused. This drive is best suited for those who prioritize reaching their destination efficiently.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 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 40 significant decision points across 399 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 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Carle Place, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Letchworth Park.
Upper Level
22.9 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
25.4 mi in
|
~38m
Hackensack
28 mi in
|
~42m
Letchworth Park
333.6 mi in
|
~6h 43m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 100 miles on I 86. 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 200 miles on day one.
Expect about $23.14 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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 Buffalo, 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 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buffalo, 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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