Origin
Mina, NY
Morning in Mina on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mina, 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
1h 51m
Distance
84.9 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mina, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mina, NY to Buffalo, NY is 84.9 miles and takes about 1h 51m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York's Northeast region, primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads. It's a straightforward drive, well-suited for a single-day excursion. The relatively short distance and clear route make it an easy option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points in upstate New York.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Mina, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 52.6 mi | 1h |
| Sherman-Mayville Road | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Buffalo Skyway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Portage Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| NY 430 | 4 mi | 6m |
| South Portage Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Hamburg Turnpike | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Milestrip Expressway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 52.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mina, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Mina French Creek Road
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
Mina French Creek Road
2
Turn right onto NY 430
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
NY 430
3
Continue on NY 430
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sherman-Findley Lake Road
4
Continue on NY 430
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on NY 430
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Sherman Mayville Road
6
Continue on NY 430
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Sherman-Mayville Road
7
Continue on NY 430
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Chautauqua Street
8
Turn left onto NY 394
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Erie Street
9
Continue on NY 394
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Portage Road
10
Continue on NY 394
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Portage Street
11
Continue on NY 394
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Portage Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
this road
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
15
Merge onto I 90
53 mi
·
1 hr
·
New York State Thruway
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 56
Toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park
Use the right lane.
17
At end of road, turn right onto NY 179
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Milestrip Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on NY 179
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Milestrip Expressway
19
Enter roundabout
123 ft
·
1 sec
20
Continue
443 ft
·
12 sec
21
Continue on this road
412 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
22
Continue on NY 5
400 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Route 5
23
Continue on NY 5
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Shore Road
24
Continue on NY 5
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hamburg Turnpike
25
Continue on NY 5
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffalo Skyway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
28
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 51m estimated duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Aim to leave in the morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you near Buffalo. With a total distance under 100 miles and only 8% highway driving, you'll have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous short breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $14 budget suggests minimal stops are anticipated. The most crucial part will be navigating the transition from the Thruway onto local roads and the Buffalo Skyway, so pay close attention to signage during that segment.
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 42.5 miles from Mina, NY, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 58m 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 32m
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 Mina, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mina, NY
This is one driving day of about 84.9 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Mina, 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 52.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Mina, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 84.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
14.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
NY 394 / North Erie Street
Turn left onto NY 394 / North Erie Street
Navigation decision point
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
8
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 56
Toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park
7
76.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
NY 179 / Milestrip Road
At end of road, turn right onto NY 179 / Milestrip Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
84.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
NY 384 / Niagara Square
Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.80 one way
$27.60 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $14.93 | $29.87 |
| premium | $4.87 | $16.26 | $32.53 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.04
New York State Thruway
(52.6 mi)
$2.63
Buffalo Skyway
(4.7 mi)
$0.33
Hamburg Turnpike
(1.2 mi)
$0.08
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.91 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.89 | $5.43 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Morning in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
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
1h 51m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 8% of the total 84.9 miles on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 52.6 miles on the New York State Thruway before exiting onto Sherman-Mayville Road. Expect to encounter more local traffic and varied speed limits as you transition away from the expressway. The latter part of the route involves merging onto the Buffalo Skyway, which can bring denser traffic conditions as you approach the city.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 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 14.4 miles in near NY 394 / North Erie Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 51m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles (NY 394 / North Erie Street): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Mina, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Orchard Park along the way.
Orchard Park
75.6 mi in
|
~1h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in Mina, 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 1h 51m. Total distance: 84.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.04 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. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles (NY 394 / North Erie Street): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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