Origin
Salem, NY
Night in Salem on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, 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
6h 33m
Distance
313.3 mi
504 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 21m
★
6 AM
6h 33m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 43m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Salem, NY to Buffalo, NY is 313.3 miles and takes about 6h 33m via New York State Thruway and Amsterdam Road, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The majority of your travel will be on surface roads, with a significant portion on the New York State Thruway. It's a manageable one-day drive if you get an early start, taking you 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
156.6 miles from Salem, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 247.2 mi | 4h 46m |
| Amsterdam Road | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 29 | 11.1 mi | 17m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Route 29 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 67 | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| NY 29 | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Malta Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 247.2 mi, about 4h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on CR 30
40 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Broadway
2
Turn right onto 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on NY 22
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Turn right onto NY 29
10 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 29
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on NY 29
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 29
7
Enter roundabout onto NY 29; NY 40
174 ft
·
2 sec
·
NY 29; NY 40
8
Continue on NY 29; NY 40
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
NY 29; NY 40
9
Turn right onto US 4; NY 29; NY 32
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Broad Street
10
Turn left onto NY 29
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Spring Street
11
Continue on NY 29
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Avenue
12
Continue on NY 29
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Route 29
13
Continue on NY 29
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Avenue
14
Turn left onto Henning Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Henning Road
15
Turn left onto NY 9P
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Union Avenue
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
17
Merge onto I 87
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Adirondack Northway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 13N
Toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
19
Turn straight onto US 9
378 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 9
20
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 9
21
Turn right onto CR 63
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Malta Avenue
22
Turn left onto NY 50
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Milton Avenue
23
Turn right onto Front Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Front Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto Charlton Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Charlton Street
25
Turn right onto NY 67
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
West High Street
26
Continue on NY 67
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Amsterdam Road
27
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 67
28
Continue on NY 67
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Church Street
29
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 67
30
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Market Street
31
Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Pearl Street
32
Continue on NY 30
381 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Main Street
33
Continue on NY 30
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 30
34
Turn left
398 ft
·
11 sec
35
Continue on this road
525 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
37
Merge onto I 90
247 mi
·
4 hr 46 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 51W
Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
39
Merge onto NY 33
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Oak Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on Oak Street
428 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
42
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
43
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
44
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
45
Turn right onto Genesee Street
402 ft
·
11 sec
·
Genesee Street
46
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
391 ft
·
11 sec
·
Niagara Square
47
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, aim to depart Salem, NY early in the morning. This allows you to complete the 313.3-mile trip within daylight hours and take advantage of the flexibility that a single-day drive offers. While the longest stretch is over 247 miles on the Thruway, remember that the majority of the route is on surface roads. Factor in potential delays due to local traffic, especially as you get closer to Buffalo. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $51, and plan for a stop on the Thruway if needed.
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 156.6 miles from Salem, NY, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.2 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 69 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 28m 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 24m
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 Salem, 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 Salem, NY
This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Salem, 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 247.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156.6 miles from Salem, 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 247.2 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 265 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 313 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
NY 29 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 29 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
305.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m 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
312.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m 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
6
312.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 31m in
|
Genesee Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
313 mi into trip
|
~6h 32m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.92 one way
$101.83 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $55.11 | $110.22 |
| premium | $4.87 | $60.02 | $120.04 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $66.64 | $133.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.36
New York State Thruway
(247.2 mi)
$12.36
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
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
| Efficient EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.41 | $12.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.3 | 1 | $43.86 | $20.05 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Night in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Cassville, NY
157 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
5 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
6h 33m 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 mostly surface roads, accounting for 89% of the route. You'll encounter the New York State Thruway for a stretch of 247.2 miles, which is the longest continuous section. After leaving the Thruway, expect to navigate state highways and local roads with more frequent intersections and varying speed limits. The transition from highway cruising to surface road driving will be noticeable.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247.2 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 12.5 miles in near NY 29 / Main Street.
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 26 significant decision points across 313.3 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 12.5 miles (NY 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 312.1 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 6h 33m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 247.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.36 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 12.5 miles (NY 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 312.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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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