Origin
Durham, NY
Late night in Durham on Sunday
Local time
5:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durham, 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 45m
Distance
282.3 mi
454 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 32m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Durham, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Durham, NY to Buffalo, NY is 282.3 miles and takes about 5h 45m via New York State Thruway and State Highway 145, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The profile indicates mostly surface roads, so expect a more scenic, less highway-intensive experience for much of the trip. With only one stop recommended and a single day's drive, this route offers a straightforward transit between two points in the state.
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
141.2 miles from Durham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 227 mi | 4h 22m |
| State Highway 145 | 16.9 mi | 23m |
| NY 162 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 30 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 3.4 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 5S | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 30A | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 227 mi, about 4h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on CR 22
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
County Road 22
2
Turn slight right onto NY 145
17 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 145
3
Continue on NY 145
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto NY 30
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
River Street
5
Continue on NY 30
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 30
6
Continue on NY 30
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on NY 30
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 30
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on Zicha Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Zicha Road
9
Continue on CR 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Junction Road
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 27
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Junction Road
11
Turn right onto NY 30A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 30A
12
Continue on NY 162
13 mi
·
18 min
·
NY 162
13
Turn straight onto NY 5S
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 5S
14
Continue on NY 5S
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Main Street
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 90 West
17
Merge onto I 90
227 mi
·
4 hr 22 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
22
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
24
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
26
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
27
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 45-minute duration and mostly surface road profile, an early morning departure from Durham is best to maximize daylight. While the route is manageable in one day, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace, especially since only one stop is suggested. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $46, and plan your refueling accordingly, particularly before you leave the New York State Thruway. The transition from highway to surface roads around the 227-mile mark is a good point to consider your next break or fuel stop.
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 141.2 miles from Durham, NY, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.2 miles or 2h 58m 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 43m
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 Durham, 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 Durham, NY
This is one driving day of about 282.3 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Durham, 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 227 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 141.2 miles from Durham, 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 227 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 46.7 and 282 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
46.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
274.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m 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
281.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m 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
281.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
Genesee Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
282 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.88 one way
$91.76 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $49.66 | $99.32 |
| premium | $4.87 | $54.08 | $108.16 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $60.05 | $120.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.35
New York State Thruway
(227 mi)
$11.35
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
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 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 | 84.7 | 1 | $29.64 | $13.55 |
| Efficient EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.70 | $11.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.9 | 1 | $39.52 | $18.07 |
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
5:26 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
20 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 45m 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 trip is mostly surface roads, with about 16% on highways. You'll spend the longest stretch, 227 miles, on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to see frequent exits and merges as you navigate the Thruway, which will then give way to more local driving on State Highway 145 and NY 162. This means a shift from high-speed travel to more varied speed limits and potentially more intersections.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 227 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 46.7 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 282.3 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 46.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 274.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Durham, 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 45m. Total distance: 282.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 227 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.35 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 46.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 274.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 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.
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