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Trip from Malone, NY to Buffalo, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 28m

Distance

321.8 mi

518 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 16m ★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m

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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town in New York, United States

Malone, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 322-mile journey from Malone to Buffalo, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 29 minutes. With no highway driving, expect a more local feel throughout, making the most of State Route 11, Washington Street, and Elm Street. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $52, and you'll encounter one primary stop along the way. Given its manageable length and turn-heavy nature, it’s a feasible one-day drive that allows for a relaxed pace through New York 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

160.9 miles from Malone, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 138.1 mi 2h 40m
I 81 68.9 mi 1h 19m
Washington Street 27.5 mi 35m
Preston Street 27 mi 31m
Gouverneur Street 24.7 mi 28m
Maple Street 11 mi 17m
State Route 11 9.5 mi 12m
Kensington Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 138.1 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 11; NY 30

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Continue on US 11

9.5 mi · 12 min · State Route 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 11

28 mi · 35 min · Washington Street
4

Continue on US 11

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Elm Street
5

At end of road, turn left onto NY 56

418 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
6

Turn right onto Maple Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Maple Street
7

Turn slight right onto Clarkson Avenue

147 ft · 10 sec · Clarkson Avenue
8

Turn left onto US 11

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Sandstone Drive
9

Continue on US 11

11 mi · 16 min · Maple Street
10

Turn left onto US 11

25 mi · 28 min · Gouverneur Street
11

Continue on US 11

27 mi · 31 min · Preston Street
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 781 West
13

Continue on I 781

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 781
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Watertown
15

Merge onto I 81

65 mi · 1 hr 14 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I-81

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I-81
17

Continue on I 81

4.2 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto I 90

138 mi · 2 hr 40 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
22

Merge onto NY 33

6.4 mi · 8 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward Oak Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on Oak Street

428 ft · 14 sec · Oak Street
25

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
26

Turn right onto East Huron Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Huron Street
27

Turn left onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
28

Turn right onto Genesee Street

402 ft · 11 sec · Genesee Street
29

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

391 ft · 11 sec · Niagara Square
30

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

For this 322-mile, 5-hour and 29-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the local roads. Since it's a single-day trip with a $52 fuel estimate, plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch your legs. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you should stay alert for frequent turns and changes in speed limits, especially as you pass through towns. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the lack of highway markers may require more attention to navigation on State Route 11, Washington Street, and Elm Street.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.9 miles from Malone, NY, or about 3h 18m 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 71 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 160.9 miles or 3h 18m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 17m

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 Malone, 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 Malone, NY

This is one driving day of about 321.8 miles and 6h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Malone, 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.

Downtown Pulaski, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pulaski, NY

161 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

Philadelphia, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Monroe, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.9 miles from Malone, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.1 mi from route

Clifton Springs, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Shortsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Pembroke, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15855994430

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clifton Springs, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVoke Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Seneca Falls, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18134925220

Visit website

EVoke Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Camillus, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18134925220

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

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

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

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

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 175.2 and 321.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
175.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m 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
175.7 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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
313.9 mi into trip | ~6h 15m 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
320.7 mi into trip | ~6h 25m 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
321.5 mi into trip | ~6h 27m in | Franklin Street

Turn left onto Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.97 one way

$105.94 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $57.28 $114.56
premium $4.92 $62.37 $124.74
diesel $5.61 $71.05 $142.10

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

$53

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.5 1 $33.79 $15.45
Efficient EV 80.5 0 $28.16 $12.87
EV Truck/SUV 128.7 1 $45.05 $20.60

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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

Malone, NY

Late night in Malone on Tuesday

Local time

5:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Late night in Buffalo on Tuesday

Local time

5:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 to 20 mph 85% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

43°F

Pulaski, NY

161 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

15 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

6h 28m 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.

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 210.8
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 199.7
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 characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share. You won't be cruising on interstates; instead, anticipate navigating a series of local roads including State Route 11, Washington Street, and Elm Street. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be engaging with the road more directly, making for a hands-on driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the overall profile suggests frequent turns and varied speeds as you traverse different towns and communities.

Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 175.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 321.8 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 175.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Malone, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1805

Malone, founded in 1802 in Northern New York by Richard Harrison, is named for Irish Shakespearean scholar Edmund Malone. Located just outside the Adirondack Park, its streets are lined with fine Victorian architecture.

Top landmarks

  • • Anselm Lincoln House — historic home located at Malone in Franklin County, New York

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 6h 28m. Total distance: 321.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

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 175.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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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