Origin
Alden, NY
Morning in Alden on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alden, NY to Buffalo, NY
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
38m
Distance
22.1 mi
36 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alden, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alden, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 22.1 miles and takes about 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Broadway Street, William Street, Niagara Thruway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 6 miles on Broadway Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.64 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.1 miles from Alden, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 38m drive with frequent turns across 22.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Broadway Street is the longest continuous segment at about 6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.2 miles in near NY 277 / Union Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (NY 277 / Union Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
14.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
NY 277 / Union Road
At end of road, turn right onto NY 277 / Union Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
16.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 190: Downtown Buffalo, Canada
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 53
Toward I 190: Downtown Buffalo, Canada
8
21.5 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
21.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
22 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
NY 384 / Niagara Square
Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Alden, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Canada along the way.
Canada
16.1 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| William Street | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Niagara Thruway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Losson Road | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| New York State Thruway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Schwartz Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Union Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Niagara Square | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Broadway Street
— 6 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alden, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on US 20
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Broadway Street
2
Continue on US 20
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto Schwartz Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Schwartz Road
4
Turn right onto William Street
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
William Street
5
Continue on Losson Road
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Losson Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto NY 277
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Union Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto William Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
William Street
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 90 West: New York State Thruway
9
Merge onto I 90
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 53
Toward I 190: Downtown Buffalo, Canada
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
14
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
16
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 11.1 miles from Alden, NY, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 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 22.1 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.1 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
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 Alden, 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 Alden, NY
This is one driving day of about 22.1 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alden, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Broadway Street for about 6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.1 mi from Alden, NY · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 22.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.1 miles from Alden, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buffalo, NY
The final approach into Buffalo, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Buffalo, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.64 one way
$7.28 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $3.93 | $7.87 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.28 | $8.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.88 | $9.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)
$0.24
New York State Thruway
(0.8 mi)
$0.04
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
$4
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.32 | $1.06 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.93 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alden, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 22.1 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Broadway Street, William Street, Niagara Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.1 miles from Alden, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (NY 277 / Union Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Alden, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Canada along the way.
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