Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 12m
Distance
316.2 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chatham, NY
Peter Olexa
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Chatham, NY covers 316.2 miles and takes about 6h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector, Kensington Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 287.2 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
158.1 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 316.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 6h 12m drive with frequent turns across 316.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Elm Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.7 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NY 295: Chatham, East Chatham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buffalo, NY and Chatham, NY, road signs point toward Boston and Massachusetts Turnpike.
Boston
Massachusetts Turnpike
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 287.2 mi | 5h 32m |
| New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Taconic State Parkway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 295 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Spring Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Genesee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Chatham, NY.
Start on NY 384
Continue on Court Street
Continue on Lafayette Square
Turn left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Take the exit
Continue on NY 33
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
Take the exit
Continue on New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
Take the exit
Continue on Taconic State Parkway
Take the exit
Continue on Hartigan Road
At end of road, turn right onto NY 295
Continue on NY 295
Turn right onto Austerlitz Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 3h 6m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chatham, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, NY
This is one driving day of about 316.2 miles and 6h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.1 mi from Buffalo, NY · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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.
A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 158.1 miles from Buffalo, 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 287.2 miles.
The final approach into Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$52.05 one way
$104.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $56.28 | $112.56 |
| premium | $4.92 | $61.29 | $122.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.81 | $139.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $15.09
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
$52
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.20 | $15.18 |
| Efficient EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.27 | $20.24 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
2:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Chatham on Thursday
Local time
2:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
39°F
Whitesboro, NY
158 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Buffalo, NY or browse trips ending in Chatham, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Buffalo, NY or Chatham, NY on MapSof.net.
