Origin
Country Knolls, NY
Late night in Country Knolls on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Country Knolls, NY to Buffalo, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
282.7 mi
455 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Country Knolls, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Country Knolls to Buffalo is 282.7 miles and takes about 5h 44m via New York State Thruway and Kensington Expressway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive for a single day, mostly utilizing the New York State Thruway for efficiency. You'll find this route practical for getting from point A to point B without significant detours, making it a solid choice if you need to cover ground quickly.
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
141.3 miles from Country Knolls, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 258.7 mi | 4h 59m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Vley Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Glenridge Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Mac Elroy Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Saratoga Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Ashdown Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Ballston Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 258.7 mi, about 4h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Country Knolls, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Hillside Drive
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Hillside Drive
2
Turn left onto Terrace Court
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Terrace Court
3
Turn left onto Eastwood Drive
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Eastwood Drive
4
Turn left onto Burning Bush Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Burning Bush Boulevard
5
At end of road, turn right onto Ushers Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ushers Road
6
Turn left onto CR 82
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Longkill Road
7
Continue on Mac Elroy Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Mac Elroy Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto NY 146A
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Ballston Lake Road
9
Turn left onto Ashdown Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ashdown Road
10
Continue on Bradt Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bradt Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto Glenridge Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Glenridge Road
12
Enter roundabout onto Glenridge Road
86 ft
·
2 sec
·
Glenridge Road
13
Continue on Glenridge Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenridge Road
14
Turn left onto NY 50
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Saratoga Road
15
Turn straight onto NY 50
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ballston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NY 50
416 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Ballston Avenue
17
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
5th Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto Vley Road
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Vley Road
19
Continue on NY 890
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
NY 890
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 90
21
Turn straight
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 West
22
Merge onto I 90
259 mi
·
4 hr 59 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
27
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
29
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
31
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
32
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour-plus drive time, departing Country Knolls in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for arrival in Buffalo. With only one suggested stop, you can choose to make it a quicker journey or take a more relaxed pace. The majority of your driving will be on the New York State Thruway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 258.7-mile mark where the highway portion becomes extensive. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, as the $46 estimated cost suggests a moderate expense for this 282.7-mile trip.
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 141.3 miles from Country Knolls, NY, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.7 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 62 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.3 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Country Knolls, 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 Country Knolls, NY
This is one driving day of about 282.7 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Country Knolls, 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 258.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.3 miles from Country Knolls, 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 258.7 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 282.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Ushers Road
At end of road, turn right onto Ushers Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
274.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
7
281.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Oak Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Oak Street
6
282 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m in
|
Genesee Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
282.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.94 one way
$91.89 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $49.73 | $99.46 |
| premium | $4.87 | $54.16 | $108.32 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $60.13 | $120.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.93
New York State Thruway
(258.7 mi)
$12.93
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
$46
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.68 | $13.57 |
| Efficient EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.74 | $11.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.1 | 1 | $39.58 | $18.09 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Late night in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Floyd, NY
141 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 44m 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 drive is predominantly on surface roads, with about 42.9% of the route being highway driving. You'll experience the longest stretch of continuous highway at 258.7 miles on the New York State Thruway. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads, including Vley Road, for the remainder of your trip. Expect to notice a significant increase in exits and local traffic as you move off the Thruway.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.7 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Ushers Road.
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 282.7 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.9 miles (Ushers Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 274.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Country Knolls, NY
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 282.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258.7 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.93 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 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 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 0.9 miles (Ushers Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 274.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Buffalo, NY
More from Country Knolls, NY
More trips to Buffalo, NY
Explore more options from Country Knolls, NY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.