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Trip from Quogue, NY to Buffalo, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 35m

Distance

452.4 mi

728 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
9h 27m ★
6 AM
9h 35m
8 AM
9h 53m
10 AM
9h 41m
12 PM
9h 40m
3 PM
9h 42m
5 PM
9h 52m
8 PM
9h 30m

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

Downtown Quogue, NY, NY

Quogue, NY

Peter Olexa

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 452-mile journey from Quogue, NY, to Buffalo, NY, a trip that will take approximately 9 hours and 35 minutes to complete. This drive primarily utilizes I-86 and I-81, making it a highway-focused experience that's best split over two days. With an estimated fuel cost of $74 and two planned stops, this route offers a straightforward transit through New York State. While it's a significant distance for a single day, breaking it up allows for a more relaxed pace and the chance to fully appreciate the drive. The overall feel is one of efficient travel across the Northeast.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

226.2 miles from Quogue, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
Long Island Expressway 41.4 mi 55m
Genesee Expressway 32.9 mi 37m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Aurora Expressway 12.5 mi 14m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 80

6.9 mi · 11 min · West Montauk Highway
Use the sharp left / left lanes.
2

Turn slight right

185 ft · 6 sec
Use the right lane.
3

Turn straight onto CR 55

0.9 mi · 1 min · Eastport Manor Road
4

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward NY 27 west: New York Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto NY 27

8.4 mi · 11 min · Sunrise Highway
6

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Exit 57N Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road Use the right lane.
7

Turn left onto CR 56

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Victory Avenue
8

Turn right onto CR 16

3.9 mi · 5 min · Horseblock Road
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto Express Drive North

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Express Drive North
Use the left lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 495 WEST: New York
11

Merge onto I 495

41 mi · 55 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 31N-S Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 31N Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto CI

3.1 mi · 4 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 33 Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 295

1.8 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
17

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
20

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
21

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
31

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
32

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
33

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
34

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
37

Turn left onto NY 36

4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
38

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
39

Continue on NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
40

Turn left onto CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
41

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Leicester Road
42

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · East Buffalo Street
43

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
44

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
45

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
46

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
47

Merge onto NY 400

13 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway
48

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
49

Merge onto I 90

1.3 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
50

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Continue on I 190

4.9 mi · 6 min · Niagara Thruway
52

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street Use the slight right lane.
53

Continue on NY 5

521 ft · 21 sec · Church Street
54

Turn left onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
55

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Niagara Square
56

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

For this 9.5-hour drive covering 452 miles, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart Quogue in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With two recommended stops, consider breaking the trip roughly in half, perhaps around the halfway point of your longest stretch on I-86. The estimated fuel cost of $74 should be factored into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 100-mile stretch on I-86, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 226.2 miles from Quogue, NY, or about 4h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 100 miles or 2h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 226.2 miles or 4h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 226.2 miles or 4h 49m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 7m

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 Quogue, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Quogue, NY

Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY

Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Quogue, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

226 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

226 mi · about 4.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 226 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Union, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 226.2 miles from Quogue, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 226 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.

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 39

5 decision points cluster between mile 17 and 78.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
17 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 57N Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road
8
63 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31N-S Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
63.2 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 31N Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
66.6 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 33 Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
78.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.47 one way

$148.94 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 158 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $80.52 $161.05
premium $4.92 $87.68 $175.37
diesel $5.61 $99.88 $199.77

Estimated Tolls: $23.14

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28
Niagara Thruway (4.9 mi) $0.24
New York State Thruway (1.3 mi) $0.07

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

$74

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$228–$338

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 158.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 135.7 1 $47.50 $21.72
Efficient EV 113.1 1 $39.58 $18.10
EV Truck/SUV 181 2 $63.34 $28.95

Gas CO2

158 kg

EV CO2

53 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Quogue, NY

Night in Quogue on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Night in Buffalo on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms

S 13 to 20 mph 85% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

49°F

Ramapo, NY

226 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

15 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

9h 35m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 78
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 78
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 78
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 78
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 78
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 15.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey on major interstates like I-86 and I-81. You'll encounter stretches where you can maintain a steady pace, including one significant segment of 100 miles on I-86. The roads are designed for efficient travel, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on high-speed roadways. While the landscape is generally consistent with interstate driving, the sheer distance covered ensures a progression through various parts of New York. Expect a driving experience characterized by smooth, predictable travel.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17 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 39 significant decision points across 452.4 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 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Quogue, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.

Kennedy Airport

63 mi in | ~1h 28m

Cross Island Parkway North

63.2 mi in | ~1h 29m

Bronx

66.6 mi in | ~1h 34m

New England

66.6 mi in | ~1h 34m

Upper Level

76.3 mi in | ~1h 48m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

78.8 mi in | ~1h 52m

Hackensack

81.4 mi in | ~1h 56m

Letchworth Park

387.1 mi in | ~7h 57m

About the Cities

Arriving in Buffalo, NY

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 226 miles on day one.

Expect about $23.14 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.2 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.

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