Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Moira, NY to Buffalo, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

308.7 mi

497 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 59m ★
6 AM
6h 11m
8 AM
6h 37m
10 AM
6h 20m
12 PM
6h 18m
3 PM
6h 21m
5 PM
6h 36m
8 PM
6h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
human settlement in Franklin County, New York, United States of America

Moira, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 308.7-mile journey from Moira, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a portion on Preston Street. Given the regions are both in the Northeast, expect a familiar driving environment. With a fuel cost estimated around $51, it’s an affordable trip for a single day's adventure. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, making it manageable for one day, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace.

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

154.3 miles from Moira, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 138.1 mi 2h 40m
I 81 68.9 mi 1h 19m
Preston Street 27 mi 31m
State Route 11 24.7 mi 32m
Gouverneur Street 24.7 mi 28m
Maple Street 11 mi 17m
Kensington Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
I 781 4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 138.1 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on County Highway 5

139 ft · 12 sec · County Highway 5
2

Turn left onto US 11

25 mi · 32 min · State Route 11
3

Continue on US 11

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Elm Street
4

At end of road, turn left onto NY 56

418 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
5

Turn right onto Maple Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Maple Street
6

Turn slight right onto Clarkson Avenue

147 ft · 10 sec · Clarkson Avenue
7

Turn left onto US 11

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Sandstone Drive
8

Continue on US 11

11 mi · 16 min · Maple Street
9

Turn left onto US 11

25 mi · 28 min · Gouverneur Street
10

Continue on US 11

27 mi · 31 min · Preston Street
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 781 West
12

Continue on I 781

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 781
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Watertown
14

Merge onto I 81

65 mi · 1 hr 14 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I-81

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I-81
16

Continue on I 81

4.2 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

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

Merge onto I 90

138 mi · 2 hr 40 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
21

Merge onto NY 33

6.4 mi · 8 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward Oak Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on Oak Street

428 ft · 14 sec · Oak Street
24

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
25

Turn right onto East Huron Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Huron Street
26

Turn left onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto Genesee Street

402 ft · 11 sec · Genesee Street
28

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

391 ft · 11 sec · Niagara Square
29

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 11-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Moira to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Buffalo. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 138.1 miles, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $51, and plan your refueling accordingly. A good tip for this route is to be mindful of potential construction zones on the New York State Thruway, as these can cause unexpected delays.

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 154.3 miles from Moira, NY, or about 3h 8m 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 68 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.3 miles or 3h 8m 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 3m

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 Moira, 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 Moira, NY

This is one driving day of about 308.7 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Moira, 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

154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clay, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.3 miles from Moira, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

The Lakeside Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.3

Pulaski, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13152982577

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 198.4

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 198.4

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 198.4

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 220.5

Shortsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVoke Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 198.4

Seneca Falls, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18134925220

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 220.5

Clifton Springs, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Evolve Ny Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 176.4

Camillus, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 286.6

Clarence, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

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

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

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

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 308.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 308.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 308.7

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 162.1 and 308.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
162.1 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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
162.5 mi into trip | ~3h 18m 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
300.8 mi into trip | ~5h 58m 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
307.5 mi into trip | ~6h 8m 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
308.4 mi into trip | ~6h 10m in | Franklin Street

Turn left onto Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.81 one way

$101.63 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $54.95 $109.89
premium $4.92 $59.83 $119.66
diesel $5.61 $68.16 $136.31

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

$51

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.6 1 $32.41 $14.82
Efficient EV 77.2 0 $27.01 $12.35
EV Truck/SUV 123.5 1 $43.22 $19.76

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Moira, NY

Evening in Moira on Sunday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Evening in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Chance Rain Showers

W 2 to 6 mph 42% chance Live forecast

39°F

Pulaski, NY

154 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

10 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 11m 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 ~13 min detour Free near mile 202.2
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...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 191.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed driving experience, with 34% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 138.1 miles on the New York State Thruway, providing a chance to settle into a steady pace. The road character will likely shift as you transition between the interstate and other main roads, offering variety without being overly complex. Expect a blend of efficient travel on the thruway and potentially more local road feel as you approach your destination in Buffalo.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 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

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 162.1 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 308.7 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 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Moira, 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 6h 11m. Total distance: 308.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface 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 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.8 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Buffalo, NY

Montauk, NY 491.3 mi · 10h 38m Springs, NY 481.5 mi · 10h 23m Amagansett, NY 479.8 mi · 10h 19m Tuckahoe, NY 464.1 mi · 9h 48m

More from Moira, NY

Staten Island, NY 368 mi · 7h 51m Brooklyn, NY 360.2 mi · 7h 42m Jamaica, NY 359 mi · 7h 39m New York City, NY 353.2 mi · 7h 28m The Bronx, NY 347.8 mi · 7h 22m

More trips to Buffalo, NY

Bridgehampton, NY 469.9 mi Jamesport, NY 455.1 mi Westhampton Beach, NY 452.8 mi Quogue, NY 452.4 mi Baiting Hollow, NY 449.8 mi Calverton, NY 445.4 mi
Escape planner: Moira, NY Scenic drives in NY

Explore more options from Moira, NY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.