This 365.6-mile journey from Irvington, NY to Buffalo, NY is a solid day trip, clocking in at around 7 hours and 44 minutes of pure driving time. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel across New York State. With an estimated fuel cost of $60, it’s a budget-friendly option for a single-day adventure. You'll encounter two planned stops, helping to break up the drive. This highway-centric path is a straightforward option for getting from the Northeast region to its western counterpart within the same 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
182.8 miles from Irvington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi
14m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Big Tree Road
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvington, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·59 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 9
1.9 mi·5 min·North Broadway
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left
184 ft·17 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
26 ft·7 sec
5
Turn left
184 ft·17 sec
6
Turn right onto US 9
385 ft·10 sec·South Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 87 North, I 287 West: Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
8
Merge onto I 87; I 287
7.5 mi·10 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
12
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
13
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
18
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
19
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
20
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
21
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
22
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
23
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
24
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
25
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
26
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
28
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
30
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
31
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
35
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
37
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 44-minute drive, an early start from Irvington is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. You have two stops planned, so aim to make them around the halfway point or as needed to stretch your legs. Given the 365.6 miles, splitting this into two days isn't necessary, but be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $60, and it's wise to refuel before you're nearing empty, especially during the 107.6-mile stretch on Long Mountain Parkway where services might be less frequent.
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 182.8 miles from Irvington, NY, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.8 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 16m
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 Irvington, 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 Irvington, NY
This is one driving day of about 365.6 miles and 7h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Irvington, 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 Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 365.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
6
25.5 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State T...
8
359.5 mi into trip|~7h 34m 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
364.9 mi into trip|~7h 42m 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
7
365.2 mi into trip|~7h 43m in|NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.18 one way
$120.36 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$65.07
$130.15
premium
$4.92
$70.86
$141.72
diesel
$5.61
$80.72
$161.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
New York State Thruway
(8.8 mi)$0.45
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)$0.24
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
$60
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.7
1
$38.39
$17.55
Efficient EV
91.4
1
$31.99
$14.62
EV Truck/SUV
146.2
1
$51.18
$23.40
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Irvington, NY
Morning
in Irvington on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Morning
in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
SE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
60°F
Union, NY
183 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
10 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
7h 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 83% highway share on this route, meaning much of your travel will be on high-speed roads like I 86 and NY 17, connected by Long Mountain Parkway. This highway-focused profile suggests a drive where you can maintain consistent speeds for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway, offering a significant segment of continuous driving. While primarily highway, this route balances efficiency with the necessity of navigating through various New York landscapes.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 mi on Long Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 365.6 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 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.
Between Irvington, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Letchworth Park.
Irvington is a village of 6,500 people (2019) in Westchester County in the state of New York. It takes its name from the author Washington Irving, who lived nearby.
Top landmarks
•Armour-Stiner House — historic house in Irvington, New York, United States
•McVickar House — historic house in New York, United States
•Church of St. Barnabas — church in Irvington, New York
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 44m. Total distance: 365.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.69 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.
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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 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.
