Origin
Elizabethtown, NY
Morning in Elizabethtown on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabethtown, 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
7h 9m
Distance
335 mi
539 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethtown, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 335-mile drive from Elizabethtown, NY, to Buffalo, NY, will take you about 7 hours and 9 minutes to complete. It's a feasible day trip, but you could also split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The route primarily uses the New York State Thruway and the Adirondack Northway, with a significant portion on these major highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $55 for this journey. As you travel from the Northeast region of New York to another part of the Northeast, you'll experience a mixed drive, offering a bit of variety on your way across 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.5 miles from Elizabethtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 168.4 mi | 3h 15m |
| State Highway 8 | 63.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| Adirondack Northway | 25.4 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 365 | 22.3 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 9 | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| NY 365 | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Adirondack Trail | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 168.4 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on US 9; NY 9N
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Court Street
2
Continue on US 9
12 mi
·
16 min
·
US Highway 9
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 87 South
4
Merge onto I 87
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Adirondack Northway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 26
Toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
6
Turn left onto Stone Bridge Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Stone Bridge Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 9
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 9
8
Turn right onto NY 8
29 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 8
9
Continue on NY 8
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 8
10
At end of road, turn right onto NY 8; NY 30
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
Adirondack Trail
11
Turn sharp left onto NY 8
35 mi
·
48 min
·
State Highway 8
12
Turn right onto NY 365
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 365
13
Continue on NY 365
381 ft
·
12 sec
·
Mappa Avenue
14
Turn right onto NY 365
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 365
15
Continue on NY 365
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
16
Continue on NY 365
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 365
17
Continue on NY 365
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
New Floyd Road
18
Continue on NY 365
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
River Road
19
Continue on NY 365
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Dominick Street
20
Take the exit onto NY 365
11 mi
·
15 min
·
NY 365
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Use the left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
23
Merge onto I 90
168 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
28
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
30
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
32
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
33
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Elizabethtown to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Buffalo with time to settle in. With just 2 recommended stops, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps one around the halfway mark. The longest stretch without a break is over 168 miles, so be sure to take advantage of service areas or exits. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $55, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before heading onto longer highway segments.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.5 miles from Elizabethtown, NY, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.4 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 74 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
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 Elizabethtown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elizabethtown, NY
This is one driving day of about 335 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Elizabethtown, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 168.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.5 miles from Elizabethtown, 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 168.4 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 38.3 and 334.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
38.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 26
Toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
7
146.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
NY 365
Take the exit onto NY 365
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
327.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m 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
333.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 7m 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
334.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 9m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.14 one way
$110.29 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $59.63 | $119.25 |
| premium | $4.92 | $64.93 | $129.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.96 | $147.93 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.42
New York State Thruway
(168.4 mi)
$8.42
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
$55
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.18 | $16.08 |
| Efficient EV | 83.8 | 0 | $29.31 | $13.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134 | 1 | $46.90 | $21.44 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 15 mph
90% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:51PM EDT until April 14 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
13 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
7h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 36% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the New York State Thruway, the Adirondack Northway, and State Highway 8. The longest uninterrupted segment is a substantial 168.4 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway, which allows for steady progress. While much of the drive is on major roads, the inclusion of State Highway 8 suggests some variation in scenery and road type as you navigate through New York.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.4 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.3 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 21 significant decision points across 335 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 38.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.7 miles (NY 365): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.1 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 Elizabethtown, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Minerva along the way.
Minerva
38.3 mi in
|
~47m
About the Cities
Starting in Elizabethtown, NY
Full guide →Elizabethtown is a tiny town of 1300 people in the Adirondacks region of upstate New York.
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 7h 9m. Total distance: 335 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.42 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 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 38.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.7 miles (NY 365): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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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