Origin
Lisbon, NY
Night in Lisbon on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lisbon, NY to Buffalo, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
282.1 mi
454 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lisbon, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lisbon to Buffalo is 282.1 miles and takes about 5h 42m via New York State Thruway, I 81, and State Highway 37, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The drive offers a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, making it a manageable one-day trip for most. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive across upstate New York with a clear path and a reasonable travel time.
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
141.1 miles from Lisbon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 138.1 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 68.3 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 37 | 46.5 mi | 58m |
| State Route 37 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Five Mile Line Road | 4.2 mi | 10m |
| North Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| NY 342 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 138.1 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,128 veh/hr typical · worst 1,399
Quietest
2 AM
~50 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 34 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lisbon, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Church Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Church Street
2
Turn right onto County Road 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 10
3
Turn sharp right onto CR 27
4.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Five Mile Line Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto NY 37
28 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 37
5
Continue on NY 37
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
6
Continue on NY 37
18 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 37
7
Continue on NY 37
13 mi
·
15 min
·
State Route 37
8
Turn right onto NY 342
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NY 342
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
10
Merge onto I 81
64 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I-81
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
I-81
12
Continue on I 81
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 90
138 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
20
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
22
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
24
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
25
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
For this 5h 42m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and ensure you reach Buffalo comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a quick break or a longer meal depending on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of the New York State Thruway, as services can be spaced out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $46, so budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time or the duration of your single stop.
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 141.1 miles from Lisbon, NY, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.1 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 62 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 40m
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 Lisbon, 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 Lisbon, NY
This is one driving day of about 282.1 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Lisbon, 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 New York State Thruway for about 138.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.1 miles from Lisbon, 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 138.1 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 135.5 and 281.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
135.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
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 25A
Toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
7
136 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
274.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 30m 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
281 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m 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
281.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.85 one way
$91.69 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $49.62 | $99.25 |
| premium | $4.87 | $54.04 | $108.09 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $60.01 | $120.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.90
New York State Thruway
(138.1 mi)
$6.90
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
$46
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.62 | $13.54 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.68 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.49 | $18.05 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Night in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°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.
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
3 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
5h 42m 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?
You'll spend about 48% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 138.1 miles on the New York State Thruway. This means you'll experience a significant period of high-speed travel before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to encounter more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move off the main highway sections. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for variations in speed and road conditions.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.1 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 135.5 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 18 significant decision points across 282.1 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 135.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Lisbon, NY
Full guide →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 5h 42m. Total distance: 282.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.90 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 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 135.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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