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Trip from Johnson City, NY to Buffalo, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

195.4 mi

315 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village in Broome County, New York, United States

Johnson City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 195.4-mile drive from Johnson City, NY to Buffalo, NY is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 72% of your time on major expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway, Genesee Expressway, and Aurora Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this route is an economical choice for a quick journey within the Northeast region. It's designed for efficient travel, making it a solid option if you're looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

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

97.7 miles from Johnson City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 94.5 mi 1h 49m
Genesee Expressway 32.9 mi 37m
Aurora Expressway 12.5 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 mi 15m
Leicester Road 7.4 mi 10m
Niagara Thruway 4.9 mi 6m
East Buffalo Street 4.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 94.5 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, NY and Buffalo, NY.

1

Start on this road

168 ft · 14 sec · this road
2

Turn right

43 ft · 5 sec
3

Turn right onto Harrison Street

166 ft · 12 sec · Harrison Street
4

Turn left onto NY 17C

1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
5

Continue on NY 17C

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 17C
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
7

Merge onto NY 17

95 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Southern Tier Expressway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
10

Turn left onto NY 36

4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
11

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
12

Continue on NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
13

Turn left onto CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
14

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Leicester Road
15

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · East Buffalo Street
16

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
17

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
18

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
19

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
20

Merge onto NY 400

13 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
22

Merge onto I 90

1.3 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
23

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 190

4.9 mi · 6 min · Niagara Thruway
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on NY 5

521 ft · 21 sec · Church Street
27

Turn left onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
28

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Niagara Square
29

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 10-minute duration, this trip from Johnson City to Buffalo is comfortably done in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, especially since you'll encounter only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major change in highway is 94.5 miles. Planning your fuel and rest stops around the transitions between the Southern Tier Expressway, Genesee Expressway, and Aurora Expressway will help break up the drive effectively and ensure you arrive in Buffalo refreshed.

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 97.7 miles from Johnson City, NY, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.5 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 43 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.7 miles or 1h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 21m

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 Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, NY

This is one driving day of about 195.4 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Johnson City, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 94.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Howard, NY

98 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

Chemung, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bath, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.7 miles from Johnson City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55.8

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Johnson City, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 55.8

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 14

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, NY

Hours: Closed

+17168471773

Visit website

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17166555131

Visit website

Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 195.4

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 130 and 195.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
130 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
8
189.3 mi into trip | ~4h 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
194.8 mi into trip | ~4h 8m 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
195.1 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | NY 384 / Delaware Avenue

Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
195.3 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | NY 384 / Niagara Square

Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.16 one way

$64.33 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $34.78 $69.56
premium $4.92 $37.87 $75.74
diesel $5.61 $43.14 $86.28

Estimated Tolls: $0.31

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

$32

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.6 0 $20.52 $9.38
Efficient EV 48.9 0 $17.10 $7.82
EV Truck/SUV 78.2 0 $27.36 $12.51

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Johnson City, NY

Morning in Johnson City on Sunday

Local time

11:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

11:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 82% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

39°F

Howard, NY

98 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

26 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

4h 10m 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?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 72% of your journey on expressways. The character of the drive is shaped by the Southern Tier Expressway, Genesee Expressway, and Aurora Expressway, offering a consistent pace for much of the trip. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, providing ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While the focus is on efficient travel, the interconnected nature of these highways ensures a dynamic, albeit steady, progression towards Buffalo.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Genesee Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 130 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 195.4 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 130 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.8 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.

On the drive from Johnson City, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.

Letchworth Park

130 mi in | ~2h 32m

About the Cities

Starting in Johnson City, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1892

Binghamton is a city of 48,000 people (2020) in upstate New York, at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. It is the cultural and financial center of the Greater Binghamton Metropolitan Area and is the Broome County seat. Binghamton is part of the "Triple Cities" with Endicott and Johnson City. Binghamton has many fantastic examples of Romanesque Revival Architecture in the city's center; for this, and for its collection of ornate mansions and nice homes, it's known as the Parlor City. The Binghamton area is also known as the Carousel Capital of America, home to 6 of the remaining 150 antique carousels in the nation. Other historic attractions are the Roberson Museum, Kopernik Space Center, and the Ross Park Zoo. Rod Serling, the screenwriter and television producer, was born here, and the regional sandwich known as the "spiedie" was created here.

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 4h 10m. Total distance: 195.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.31 in tolls one way, starting with Niagara 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 130 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Buffalo, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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