Origin
Preble, NY
Late night in Preble on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Preble, 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 21m
Distance
159.8 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Preble, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Preble, NY to Buffalo, NY is 159.8 miles and takes about 3h 21m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the New York State Thruway, so expect a straightforward drive. This route is a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points in New York.
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
79.9 miles from Preble, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 100.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Cherry Valley Turnpike | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Chase Street | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Genesee Street | 7.5 mi | 14m |
| NY 11A | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| NY 318 | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| I 81 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 100.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,119 veh/hr typical · worst 1,494
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 34 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preble, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Preble Road
10 ft
·
5 sec
·
Preble Road
2
Turn left onto NY 281
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 281
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 81 North
4
Merge onto I 81
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 81
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 66
Toward NY 80: Tully
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto NY 281
453 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Route 281
7
Turn left onto NY 80
448 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Route 80
8
Turn right onto NY 11A
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
NY 11A
9
Turn left onto Field Lane
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Field Lane
10
Turn right onto US 20
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Cherry Valley Turnpike
11
Continue on US 20
7.5 mi
·
14 min
·
East Genesee Street
12
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
13
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
14
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
16
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
17
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 90
101 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
27
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
29
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
31
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
32
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 21m duration, leaving Preble in the morning is ideal to give you plenty of daylight for the drive. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in planning your break. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so ensure you have enough for this segment. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway to surface roads around the 100.8-mile mark, as this is where navigation will become more involved. You'll be utilizing surface roads like Cherry Valley Turnpike for a significant portion of the trip.
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 79.9 miles from Preble, NY, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.8 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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 45m 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 45m
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 Preble, 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 Preble, NY
This is one driving day of about 159.8 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Preble, 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 100.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.9 miles from Preble, 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 100.8 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 158.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward NY 80: Tully
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NY 80: Tully
7
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
151.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
158.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.94 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| premium | $4.87 | $30.61 | $61.23 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $33.99 | $67.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.04
New York State Thruway
(100.8 mi)
$5.04
Cherry Valley Turnpike
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$26
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.78 | $7.67 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $13.98 | $6.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.37 | $10.23 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Clyde, NY
80 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
1 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 21m 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 on surface roads, with only 19% of the route on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 100.8 miles on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for the shift from highway cruising to navigating local streets, particularly as you get closer to Buffalo. The majority of your travel will involve following local routes like Cherry Valley Turnpike and Chase Street.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.8 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 4.6 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 24 significant decision points across 159.8 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 21m. Total distance: 159.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.04 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.
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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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