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Trip from Rock Hill, 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 14m

Distance

295.4 mi

475 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 1m ★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Rock Hill, NY, NY

Rock Hill, NY

David Roberts

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a road trip from Rock Hill, NY, to Buffalo, NY, covers 295.4 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. This journey is entirely within New York State, making it a straightforward drive without crossing regional lines. With a highway share of 82%, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $49, and you can anticipate roughly one planned stop along the way. This highway-focused drive offers an efficient way to travel across the state.

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

147.7 miles from Rock Hill, NY

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
NY 17 96.8 mi 2h
Genesee Expressway 32.9 mi 37m
Aurora Expressway 12.5 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 mi 15m
Leicester Road 7.4 mi 10m
Niagara Thruway 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

69 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn right

61 ft · 5 sec
3

Turn right onto Rock Hill Drive

476 ft · 18 sec · Rock Hill Drive
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 29 sec
Toward NY 17 West
5

Merge onto NY 17

97 mi · 2 hr · NY 17
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
9

Turn left onto NY 36

4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
10

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
11

Continue on NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
12

Turn left onto CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
13

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Leicester Road
14

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · East Buffalo Street
15

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
16

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
17

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
18

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
19

Merge onto NY 400

13 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
21

Merge onto I 90

1.3 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
22

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 190

4.9 mi · 6 min · Niagara Thruway
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on NY 5

521 ft · 21 sec · Church Street
26

Turn left onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Niagara Square
28

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 14-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Rock Hill, NY, to bypass potential traffic. With a total of 295.4 miles, one primary stop should be sufficient for a break, especially given the longest stretch of 100 miles on I 86. The estimated fuel cost of $49 is manageable, but it's always wise to monitor your fuel gauge, particularly during longer highway segments. This route is well-suited for a single day, so you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed, perhaps stopping briefly if you find a convenient point along the Genesee Expressway.

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 147.7 miles from Rock Hill, NY, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 65 miles or 1h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.7 miles or 3h in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 57m

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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, NY

This is one driving day of about 295.4 miles and 6h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Rock Hill, 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 I 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Binghamton, NY

148 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.

Popular next leg

Binghamton, NY to Buffalo, NY

198.7 mi · 4h 15m

Pacing Suggestions

Endicott, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Rock Hill, 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.

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.

EVolve NY Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 189.9

Bath, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19142874200

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 105.5

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

PISO EV Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 189.9

Bath, New York

+18332172197

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 274.3

South Wales, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 168.8

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 189.9

Bath, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Monticello, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 105.5

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 295.4

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 230 and 295.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
230 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in

Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park

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

Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
8
289.3 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls

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 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara F...
8
294.7 mi into trip | ~6h 12m in

Take the exit toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street

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 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
7
295.1 mi into trip | ~6h 13m in | NY 384 / Delaware Avenue

Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
295.2 mi into trip | ~6h 13m in | NY 384 / Niagara Square

Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.62 one way

$97.25 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $52.58 $105.16
premium $4.92 $57.25 $114.51
diesel $5.61 $65.22 $130.44

Estimated Tolls: $0.31

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

$49

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.6 1 $31.02 $14.18
Efficient EV 73.9 0 $25.85 $11.82
EV Truck/SUV 118.2 1 $41.36 $18.91

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

35 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 15, 2026

Origin

Rock Hill, NY

Morning in Rock Hill on Sunday

Local time

10:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

10:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

12 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 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Genesee Expressway and sections of I 86 and NY 17. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 100 miles on I 86, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. Expect a consistent driving environment for much of the journey, characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The character of the road is geared towards covering distance effectively.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 230 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 16 significant decision points across 295.4 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 230 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.7 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.

On the drive from Rock Hill, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.

Letchworth Park

230 mi in | ~4h 36m

About the Cities

Starting in Rock Hill, 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 14m. Total distance: 295.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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.

Expect about $0.31 in tolls one way, starting with Niagara 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 230 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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