Origin
Covert, NY
Night in Covert on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Covert, 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
2h 56m
Distance
138.3 mi
223 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Covert, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Covert, NY to Buffalo, NY is 138.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m via New York State Thruway and State Highway 96, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the New York State Thruway, which offers a more direct path between these locations. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace. Plan for a straightforward drive that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.1 miles from Covert, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 93.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| State Highway 96 | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| State Highway 89 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Ovid Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Ernsberger Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Townline Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Powell Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 93.7 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covert, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on West Covert Road
24 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Covert Road
2
Turn left onto NY 96
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 96
3
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Powell Road
4
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 141
5
Turn left onto NY 89
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 89
6
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Ernsberger Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ovid Street
8
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Townline Road
9
Turn right onto NY 96
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 96
10
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Fayette Street
11
Turn right onto NY 96
354 ft
·
16 sec
·
West River Street
12
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Washington Street
13
Continue on NY 96
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Virginia Street
14
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Road
15
Continue on NY 96
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 96
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
17
Merge onto NY 14
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
NY 14
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
20
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
21
Merge onto I 90
94 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
26
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
28
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
30
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
31
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Buffalo with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $22, you can easily manage your budget and breaks. The longest stretch on the Thruway is over 93 miles, so consider getting fuel and using a restroom before embarking on that section. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from the highway to surface roads to ensure you're following the most efficient path into Buffalo.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.1 miles from Covert, NY, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.7 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 30 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.1 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
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 Covert, 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 Covert, NY
This is one driving day of about 138.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Covert, 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 93.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.1 miles from Covert, 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 93.7 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 35.6 and 138 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
35.6 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
NY 14
Merge onto NY 14
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
35.8 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
130.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m 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
137.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
7
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.48 one way
$44.95 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $24.33 | $48.66 |
| premium | $4.87 | $26.49 | $52.99 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $29.42 | $58.84 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.69
New York State Thruway
(93.7 mi)
$4.69
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
$22
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| Efficient EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Night in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Lima, NY
69 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
3 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
2h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 22% highway travel, meaning a significant portion will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway is 93.7 miles, offering a period of uninterrupted driving before you transition to State Highway 96 and State Highway 89. Expect a mix of faster highway cruising and slower travel through towns and local areas. The profile is mostly surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and more frequent intersections as you get closer to Buffalo.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.7 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.6 miles in near NY 14.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 138.3 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 35.6 miles (NY 14): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Covert, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Thruway along the way.
Thruway
35.4 mi in
|
~52m
About the Cities
Starting in Covert, NY
Full guide →Founded 1797
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 2h 56m. Total distance: 138.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.7 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.69 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.
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 35.6 miles (NY 14): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buffalo, NY before heading back.
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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