Origin
Marion, NY
Afternoon in Marion on Tuesday
Local time
2:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, NY to Buffalo, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 7m
Distance
99.6 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marion, NY to Buffalo, NY is 99.6 miles and takes about 2h 7m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically New York State. Expect a route that involves a fair amount of turning, making it more of a local exploration than a direct highway sprint. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure. Keep an eye on your fuel, as there are no designated stops, and plan your departure accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Marion, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 70 mi | 1h 21m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Palmyra Road | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| State Route 21 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Pittsford-Palmyra Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Turk Hill Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| State Route 31 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on CR 207
62 ft
·
4 sec
·
Buffalo Street
2
Turn right onto CR 216
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 21
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Palmyra Road
4
Continue on NY 21
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
State Route 21
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 21; NY 31
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
6
Continue on NY 31
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 31
7
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on NY 31
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Pittsford-Palmyra Road
9
Continue on NY 31
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Palmyra Road
10
Turn left onto CR 50
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Turk Hill Road
11
Turn left onto NY 96
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Victor-Pittsford Road
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 90: New York State Thruway
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 490
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Eastern Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
15
Merge onto I 90
70 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Since this is a relatively short, single-day trip of just over 99 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. There are no listed stops, so be sure to fuel up before you leave Marion, NY, or plan a stop in a town along the way, especially considering the $16 fuel cost estimate. The "turn-heavy" nature of the route means paying close attention to navigation, so a reliable GPS or map is essential. Keep your eyes peeled for the transition onto the Kensington Expressway as you approach Buffalo for a smoother final approach.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.8 miles from Marion, NY, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70 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 22 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, NY
This is one driving day of about 99.6 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Marion, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 70 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Marion, 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 70 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 20.9 and 99.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the ramp toward I 90: New York State Thruway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 90: New York State Thruway
7
91.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
98.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
6
98.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
Genesee Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
99.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.19 one way
$32.37 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $17.52 | $35.04 |
| premium | $4.87 | $19.08 | $38.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.99 | $43.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.50
New York State Thruway
(70 mi)
$3.50
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
$16
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.46 | $4.78 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.71 | $3.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.94 | $6.37 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Afternoon in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
2:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
13 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
2h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 3.4
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 only 13% of the journey on highways. While a significant 70-mile stretch utilizes the New York State Thruway, the majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads like Palmyra Road and the Kensington Expressway. Be prepared for frequent changes in speed limits and road conditions as you transition between these different types of thoroughfares. The drive will likely feel more intimate and varied than a pure interstate experience.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 20.9 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 16 significant decision points across 99.6 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 20.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Marion, NY
Full guide →Founded 1795
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 2h 7m. Total distance: 99.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.50 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buffalo, NY before heading back.
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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