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Trip from Woodstock, NY to Buffalo, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 38m

Distance

337.3 mi

543 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 27m ★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 49m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m

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

town in Ulster County, New York, United States

Woodstock, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Woodstock to Buffalo is 337.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m via New York State Thruway and State Route 212, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll find this route to be mostly surface roads, meaning you'll have a good amount of time on local routes rather than just the interstate. It's a manageable one-day drive if you get an early start, offering a straightforward way to connect these two New York destinations.

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

168.6 miles from Woodstock, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 319.8 mi 6h 9m
State Route 212 8.2 mi 13m
Kensington Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
Mill Hill Road 0.5 mi 1m
Genesee Street 0.3 mi <1m
NY 32 0.2 mi <1m
East Huron Street 0.1 mi <1m
Franklin Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 319.8 mi, about 6h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 212

0.5 mi · 1 min · Mill Hill Road
2

Continue on NY 212

8.2 mi · 13 min · State Route 212
3

Continue on Saugerties-Woodstock Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Saugerties-Woodstock Road
4

Continue on NY 32

0.2 mi · 34 sec · NY 32
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
6

Merge onto I 87

46 mi · 53 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

274 mi · 5 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto NY 33

6.4 mi · 8 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward Oak Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on Oak Street

428 ft · 14 sec · Oak Street
12

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
13

Turn right onto East Huron Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Huron Street
14

Turn left onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto Genesee Street

402 ft · 11 sec · Genesee Street
16

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

391 ft · 11 sec · Niagara Square
17

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 38-minute estimated drive time, starting early is key to completing this trip in one day. With a fuel cost estimated around $55, it's wise to fill up before you leave Woodstock. While there's only one recommended stop indicated, plan for additional short breaks as needed, especially during the longer stretch on the Thruway. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway to State Route 212, as this is where the driving experience changes significantly from highway to surface roads.

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 168.6 miles from Woodstock, NY, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 319.8 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 74 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168.6 miles or 3h 20m 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 26m

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 Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, NY

This is one driving day of about 337.3 miles and 6h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Woodstock, 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 319.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Saint Johnsville, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint Johnsville, NY

169 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

Saint Johnsville, NY to Buffalo, NY

228.2 mi · 4h 32m

Pacing Suggestions

Westmere, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cassville, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.6 miles from Woodstock, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 319.8 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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 55.7 and 337 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | I 90 / New York State Thruway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / New York State Thruway toward I 90 West: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
329.4 mi into trip | ~6h 26m 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
336.1 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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
336.6 mi into trip | ~6h 36m in | Genesee Street

Turn right onto Genesee Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
337 mi into trip | ~6h 38m in | Franklin Street

Turn left onto Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.82 one way

$109.64 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $59.33 $118.67
premium $4.87 $64.62 $129.24
diesel $5.40 $71.75 $143.50

Estimated Tolls: $15.99

New York State Thruway (319.8 mi) $15.99

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

$55

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$96–$121

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.2 1 $35.42 $16.19
Efficient EV 84.3 0 $29.51 $13.49
EV Truck/SUV 134.9 1 $47.22 $21.59

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (67% 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 24, 2026

Origin

Woodstock, NY

Evening in Woodstock on Saturday

Local time

7:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Evening in Buffalo on Saturday

Local time

7:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°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

1 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 38m 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 primarily on surface roads, with only about 4% of the 337.3 miles being highway. You'll experience a long stretch of 319.8 miles on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to encounter more local traffic and varying speed limits as you move away from the Thruway. The transition from highway cruising to more frequent exits and local navigation will be noticeable.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 319.8 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 55.7 miles in near I 90 / New York State Thruway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 337.3 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 55.7 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 329.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 336.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Woodstock, NY

Full guide →

Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York. It is one of the most famous small towns in the world, associated with the music festival that was supposed to be here in 1969, but was held 65 miles away. It has been a center for the arts since the late 1800s.

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 38m. Total distance: 337.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 319.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $15.99 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 55.7 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 329.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 336.1 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 13.3 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Buffalo, NY to Woodstock, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

337.4 mi 6h 38m

Explore more options from Woodstock, NY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.