Origin
Flatlands, NY
Late night in Flatlands on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Flatlands, 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 12m
Distance
387.6 mi
624 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 4m
★
6 AM
8h 12m
8 AM
8h 28m
10 AM
8h 18m
12 PM
8h 16m
3 PM
8h 18m
5 PM
8h 27m
8 PM
8h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Flatlands, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Flatlands, NY to Buffalo, NY is 387.6 miles and takes about 8h 12m via I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $64 and an overnight recommendation. This trip takes you across New York State, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a highway-focused drive that covers a significant distance, making it ideal for a two-day journey. Planning for an overnight stop will allow you to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, efficient way to travel across the state.
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
193.8 miles from Flatlands, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| 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 Flatlands, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on this road
100 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Harden Street
155 ft
·
12 sec
·
Harden Street
3
Turn right onto Avenue M
206 ft
·
9 sec
·
Avenue M
4
Turn right onto Flatbush Avenue
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Flatbush Avenue
5
Turn left onto Kings Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Kings Highway
6
Continue on Avenue P
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue P
7
Turn right onto Coney Island Avenue
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Coney Island Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Church Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto NY 27
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Gowanus Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi
·
4 min
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft
·
10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Use the right lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Vestry Street
16
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
406 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Holland Tunnel
19
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 139 Lower Level
22
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft
·
7 sec
·
Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
420 ft
·
14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto NJ 3
11 mi
·
13 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 46
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 46
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
28
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 80
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
34
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
39
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
40
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
41
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
42
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
43
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
44
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
45
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
46
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
47
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
48
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
49
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
50
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
51
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
52
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
55
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
56
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
57
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
58
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
With a total duration of over 8 hours, splitting this 387.6-mile drive into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight. You'll want to plan for one overnight stop to comfortably break up the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $64, and ensure you refuel before hitting longer stretches like the 100 miles on I 86. Having at least two planned stops will help you stay refreshed throughout the trip.
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 193.8 miles from Flatlands, NY, or about 4h 5m 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 85 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.8 miles or 4h 5m 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 193.8 miles or 4h 5m
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 44m
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 Flatlands, 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 Flatlands, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Flatlands, 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
194 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 Cortland, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
194 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Cortland, NY after about 194 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.8 miles from Flatlands, 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 194 miles or 4.1 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 415 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 386.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
7.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
9.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
11 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
381.5 mi into trip
|
~8h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
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 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara F...
8
386.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 10m in
Take the exit toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
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 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.80 one way
$127.60 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $68.99 | $137.98 |
| premium | $4.92 | $75.12 | $150.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.58 | $171.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.31
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$64
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.70 | $18.60 |
| Efficient EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.92 | $15.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155 | 1 | $54.26 | $24.81 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph
85% 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
12 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 12m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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 is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 67% of it on major highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I 86 and I 81, including a longest stretch of 100 miles on I 86. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours. The highway sections offer efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly. While largely highway, the inclusion of Christopher Columbus Highway suggests a transition into more urban or less direct routes as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
58 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 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 41 significant decision points across 387.6 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 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Flatlands, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.
Del Water Gap
38.8 mi in
|
~59m
Mahwah
39 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 80W
Letchworth Park
322.2 mi in
|
~6h 34m
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 194 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.31 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.4 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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