Malta, NY to Tonawanda, NY is 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. Expect a drive that leans towards surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective than a pure highway sprint. It's a manageable distance for a single day, but consider the timing to avoid heavy traffic, especially as you approach your destination.
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
140.4 miles from Malta, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
246 mi
4h 44m
Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi
17m
State Highway 67
7.7 mi
12m
Youngmann Expressway
6.1 mi
8m
Church Street
1.4 mi
4m
Twin Cities Memorial Highway
1.2 mi
2m
State Highway 30
0.9 mi
1m
Dunning Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 246 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malta, NY and Tonawanda, NY.
1
Start on this road
155 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·32 sec·Dunning Street
3
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
119 ft·1 sec·Dunning Street
4
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·16 sec·Dunning Street
5
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
127 ft·2 sec·Dunning Street
6
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·14 sec·Dunning Street
7
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
106 ft·1 sec·Dunning Street
8
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·22 sec·Dunning Street
9
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
115 ft·1 sec·Dunning Street
10
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·17 sec·Dunning Street
11
Turn straight onto NY 67
3.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 67
12
Continue on Ballston Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Ballston Avenue
13
Turn left onto NY 67
0.4 mi·46 sec·West High Street
14
Continue on NY 67
13 mi·17 min·Amsterdam Road
15
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 67
16
Continue on NY 67
1.4 mi·4 min·Church Street
17
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 67
18
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·18 sec·Market Street
19
Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67
0.1 mi·22 sec·Pearl Street
20
Continue on NY 30
381 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
21
Continue on NY 30
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 30
22
Turn left
398 ft·11 sec
23
Continue on this road
525 ft·14 sec·this road
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
25
Merge onto I 90
246 mi·4 hr 44 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 290
6.1 mi·8 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 2Toward NY 425: Colvin BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn right onto NY 425
1.2 mi·2 min·Twin Cities Memorial Highway
30
Turn left onto Fillmore Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Fillmore Avenue
31
Turn left onto Fremont Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Fremont Street
32
Turn right onto Young Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Young Street
33
Continue on Broad Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Broad Street
34
Turn right onto NY 265
0.1 mi·21 sec·Seymour Street
35
Arrive at destination
NY 265
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 42-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get closer to Tonawanda, and utilize the Thruway's service areas if needed. Since this is a single-day trip, consider breaking it up with a short stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite.
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 140.4 miles from Malta, NY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 Tonawanda, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Malta, 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 Malta, NY
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Malta, 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 246 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 278.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 67 / Dunning Street
Enter roundabout onto NY 67 / Dunning Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 67 / Dunning Street
Enter roundabout onto NY 67 / Dunning Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|NY 67 / Dunning Street
Enter roundabout onto NY 67 / Dunning Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
271.6 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
7
278.1 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Take the exit toward NY 425: Colvin Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward NY 425: Colvin Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.62 one way
$91.24 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$49.38
$98.75
premium
$4.87
$53.78
$107.55
diesel
$5.40
$59.71
$119.42
Estimated Tolls: $12.30
New York State Thruway
(246 mi)$12.30
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
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 26, 2026
Origin
Malta, NY
Late night
in Malta on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Chance Light Rain
S 3 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Tonawanda, NY
Late night
in Tonawanda on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NE 6 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
40°F
Dix, NY
140 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
2 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 174.2
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 96.8
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
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 164.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with only about 5% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter 246 miles on the New York State Thruway, which will likely be your longest continuous stretch. After leaving the Thruway, you'll transition to roads like Amsterdam Road and State Highway 67, which means you'll notice more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near NY 67 / Dunning Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.4 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Tonawanda is the name of both a city in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York, and the unincorporated suburban township that surrounds it. The incorporated village of Kenmore also makes up part of the Town of Tonawanda. All three of these places are covered in this article.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.30 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.
Yes — we found about 32 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.4 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Fort Stanwix National Monument and Saratoga National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Tonawanda, NY before the return drive.
