Origin
Kew Gardens, NY
Morning in Kew Gardens on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kew Gardens, 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
8h 6m
Distance
385.8 mi
621 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
7h 58m
★
6 AM
8h 6m
8 AM
8h 23m
10 AM
8h 12m
12 PM
8h 10m
3 PM
8h 13m
5 PM
8h 22m
8 PM
8h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kew Gardens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 385.8-mile journey from Kew Gardens, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is best tackled over two days, with an estimated driving time of 8 hours and 6 minutes. It's a highway-focused drive that will likely cost around $64 in fuel. While it's possible to do in a single day, splitting it allows for a more relaxed pace and the opportunity to make the recommended two stops. The route stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York State throughout. This drive is a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
192.9 miles from Kew Gardens, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 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 Kew Gardens, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Union Turnpike
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Union Turnpike
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Bronx
3
Merge onto I 678
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Queens-Midtown Tunnel
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
11
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the ramp
474 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
13
Turn right
342 ft
·
11 sec
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi
·
12 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 46
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 46
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
21
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 80
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
28
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
32
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
33
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
34
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
35
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
36
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
37
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
38
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
39
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
40
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
42
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
44
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
45
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
48
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
49
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
50
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
51
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight. With a recommended two-day split, aim for roughly four hours of driving each day, allowing for your two planned stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 100 miles on I-86, so be sure to fuel up before entering that section to avoid any last-minute detours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $64 estimated cost suggests a good portion of the drive is on the highway where amenities can be spaced out.
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 192.9 miles from Kew Gardens, NY, or about 4h 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.9 miles or 4h 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 192.9 miles or 4h
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 38m
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 Kew Gardens, 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 Kew Gardens, NY
Aim for roughly 193 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 193 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Kew Gardens, 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
193 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 Vestal, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
193 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Vestal, NY after about 193 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 192.9 miles from Kew Gardens, 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 193 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 385 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 385.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
10.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
8
15.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
8
379.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 56m 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
385.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 4m 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
$63.51 one way
$127.01 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $68.67 | $137.34 |
| premium | $4.92 | $74.78 | $149.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.18 | $170.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.31
Lincoln 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 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 | 115.7 | 1 | $40.51 | $18.52 |
| Efficient EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.76 | $15.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 154.3 | 1 | $54.01 | $24.69 |
Gas CO2
135 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
Morning in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
1 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
8h 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll be on the interstate for about 68% of the trip, utilizing roads like I-86 and I-81. Expect a longest stretch of 100 miles on I-86, meaning you can cover significant ground without frequent exits. The Christopher Columbus Highway also plays a role in connecting segments. Overall, this route prioritizes directness over winding scenic byways, offering a consistent driving experience for much of the journey.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 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 7.2 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 38 significant decision points across 385.8 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 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Kew Gardens, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.
Del Water Gap
36.9 mi in
|
~53m
Mahwah
37.2 mi in
|
~54m
|
via I 80W
Letchworth Park
320.4 mi in
|
~6h 28m
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 193 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.31 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln 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 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 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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