Origin
Oswego, NY
Late night in Oswego on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oswego, 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
3h 14m
Distance
146.4 mi
236 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oswego, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Oswego to Buffalo is 146.4 miles and takes about 3h 14m via State Route 104 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The route primarily uses highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a duration under four hours, it's a manageable trip for a single day, offering a direct connection between these two New York cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.2 miles from Oswego, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 104 | 68.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| New York State Thruway | 42.5 mi | 49m |
| Western Expressway | 19 mi | 22m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| West Ridge Road | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Outer Loop | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| West Bridge Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Seneca Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 104
— 68.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oswego, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Water Street
18 ft
·
2 sec
·
Water Street
2
Turn right onto NY 48
495 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 1st Street
3
Turn left onto NY 104
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Bridge Street
4
Continue on NY 104
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Seneca Street
5
Continue on NY 104
68 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
State Route 104
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Bridge
7
Continue on NY 104
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Ridge Road
8
Take the exit
174 ft
·
4 sec
Toward NY 390
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NY 390 South
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto NY 390
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Outer Loop
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 20B-A
Toward I 490: Rochester, Buffalo
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 490 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 490
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
15
Merge onto I 90
42 mi
·
49 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
Given the 3h 14m estimated drive time and 146.4 miles, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart Oswego in the morning to have ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs; the $24 fuel cost is a good estimate to keep in mind. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 68.5 miles on State Route 104, so consider a brief break before or around the halfway point of that segment if needed.
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 73.2 miles from Oswego, NY, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.5 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 32 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Oswego, 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 Oswego, NY
This is one driving day of about 146.4 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Oswego, 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 State Route 104 for about 68.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Oswego, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Route 104 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.5 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 73 and 146.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 390 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward NY 390 South
9
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 490 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 490 West: Buffalo
7
138.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m 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
145.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
146.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.79 one way
$47.59 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $25.75 | $51.51 |
| premium | $4.87 | $28.05 | $56.09 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $31.14 | $62.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.12
New York State Thruway
(42.5 mi)
$2.12
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
$24
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.37 | $7.03 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.81 | $5.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Late night in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Greece, NY
73 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
4 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
3h 14m 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?
Sixty-four percent of this 146.4-mile drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New York State Thruway and Western Expressway. You'll experience about 68.5 miles on State Route 104 before transitioning to more high-speed roads. Expect a relatively consistent driving experience with fewer turns and more straightforward cruising for much of the trip. The highway sections mean you'll encounter denser traffic and more frequent exits as you approach Buffalo.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.5 mi on State Route 104.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 104 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 146.4 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 73 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Oswego, NY
Full guide →Founded 1796
Oswego (population 17,000 in 2020) is a small city in Central New York on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Oswego River.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Ontario — state historic site of New York, United States
- • Nash — World War II U.S. Army Large Tug (LT) class seagoing tugboat
- • Safe Haven Museum and Education Center — in Oswego, 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 3h 14m. Total distance: 146.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.5 miles on State Route 104. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.12 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 73 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Buffalo, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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