Traveling from Suffern to Buffalo covers 349.7 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. You will primarily utilize NY 17, I-86, and the Genesee Expressway to make your way across New York State. While it is possible to complete this journey in a single day, the seven-plus hours behind the wheel require a focused approach. Expect to spend approximately $57 on fuel for the trip. Since both endpoints are located within the Northeast region, the route maintains a consistent regional feel, making this a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the lower Hudson Valley to Western New York.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.9 miles from Suffern, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
134.6 mi
2h 46m
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
New York State Thruway
13.9 mi
16m
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
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 134.6 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffern, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
40 ft·8 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Continue on Washington Avenue
114 ft·12 sec·Washington Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto NY 59
0.3 mi·30 sec·Lafayette Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 202; 59
0.5 mi·42 sec·Orange Avenue
5
Continue on NY 59
1.2 mi·1 min·Orange Turnpike
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 87 North: New York State Thruway
7
Merge onto I 87
13 mi·14 min·New York State Thruway
8
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on NY 17
135 mi·2 hr 46 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
15
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
16
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
17
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
18
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
19
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
20
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
21
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
22
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
23
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
25
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
27
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
32
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
34
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
To manage the 349.7-mile trek effectively, aim to plan at least two designated stops to break up the 7-hour and 20-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the highway portions before peak traffic hours set in. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $57, it is wise to monitor your consumption levels during the long 134.6-mile stretch on NY 17 to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because this is a single-day commitment, keep your schedule flexible enough to accommodate unexpected construction or rest needs. Staying ahead of your fuel stops will make this long haul much more manageable.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.9 miles from Suffern, NY, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.6 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 77 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.9 miles or 3h 35m 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 53m
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 Suffern, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Suffern, NY
This is one driving day of about 349.7 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Suffern, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 134.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 349.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
7
16.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
8
343.6 mi into trip|~7h 10m 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
349.1 mi into trip|~7h 18m 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
349.4 mi into trip|~7h 19m in|NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.56 one way
$115.13 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$62.24
$124.49
premium
$4.92
$67.78
$135.56
diesel
$5.61
$77.21
$154.42
Estimated Tolls: $1.03
New York State Thruway
(13.9 mi)$0.70
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)$0.24
Orange Turnpike
(1.2 mi)$0.09
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
$58
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.9
1
$36.72
$16.79
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.60
$13.99
EV Truck/SUV
139.9
1
$48.96
$22.38
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 16, 2026
Origin
Suffern, NY
Late night
in Suffern on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Late night
in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph85% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Union, NY
175 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
25 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
7h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused personality, with roughly 80% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant initial leg, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 134.6 miles along NY 17. The transition between the primary corridors keeps the drive moving efficiently, though you should be prepared for the steady rhythm of interstate travel. While the route avoids the complexities of local stop-and-go traffic, the sheer distance requires consistent attention to the road. You can expect a reliable, high-capacity driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.6 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 349.7 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.6 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 Suffern, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 349.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.6 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.03 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 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.6 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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.
