Origin
Buffalo, NY
Afternoon in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
2:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to Jefferson, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
275.7 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Jefferson, NY covers 275.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m 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, State Highway 10, Kensington Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 227.2 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.38 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
137.9 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 227.2 mi | 4h 22m |
| State Highway 10 | 15.5 mi | 26m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Ames Road | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 145 | 5 mi | 7m |
| US 20 | 5 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| NY 145 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 227.2 mi, about 4h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Jefferson, NY.
1
Start on NY 384
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Niagara Square
2
Continue on Court Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Court Street
3
Continue on Lafayette Square
372 ft
·
18 sec
·
Lafayette Square
4
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Washington Street
5
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Genesee Street
6
Turn left onto Elm Street
263 ft
·
7 sec
·
Elm Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward NY 33 East
8
Continue on NY 33
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 90
227 mi
·
4 hr 22 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 29
Toward NY 10: Canajoharie, Sharon Springs
Use the slight right lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto NY 5S
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Main Street
13
Turn left onto NY 10
403 ft
·
9 sec
·
Church Street
14
Continue on NY 10
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Rock Street
15
Continue on NY 10
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Wheeler Street
16
Turn left onto NY 10
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Reed Street
17
Continue on NY 10
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Ames Road
18
Continue on NY 10
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 10
19
Continue on NY 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
20
Turn left onto US 20
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 20
21
Turn right onto NY 145
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 145
22
At end of road, turn left onto NY 145
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
NY 145
23
Turn right onto NY 10
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Elm Street
24
Turn left onto Rose Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Rose Street
25
Turn left onto West Main Street
322 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
26
Turn right onto NY 7; NY 10
242 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 7;West Main Street
27
Continue on NY 7; NY 10
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
West Main Street
28
Turn left onto NY 10
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 10
29
Continue on NY 10
485 ft
·
9 sec
·
Summit Street
30
Continue on NY 10
11 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 10
31
At end of road, turn right onto CR 2A
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Harpersfield Road
32
Arrive at destination
CR 2A
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.9 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227.2 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.9 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 275.7 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Buffalo, 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 227.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.9 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 235.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward NY 33 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward NY 33 East
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
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
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
8
235.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward NY 10: Canajoharie, Sharon Springs
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 29
Toward NY 10: Canajoharie, Sharon Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.38 one way
$90.76 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $49.07 | $98.14 |
| premium | $4.92 | $53.44 | $106.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.87 | $121.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.36
New York State Thruway
(227.2 mi)
$11.36
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
$45
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.95 | $13.23 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.60 | $17.64 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Jefferson, NY
Afternoon in Jefferson on Saturday
Local time
2:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 180.6
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 114.1
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 123.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 5h 42m drive with frequent turns across 275.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 227.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 20 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Buffalo, NY to Jefferson, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sharon Springs along the way.
Sharon Springs
235.4 mi in
|
~4h 35m
About the Cities
Starting in Buffalo, NY
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Jefferson, NY
Full guide →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 5h 42m. Total distance: 275.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (12%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Jefferson, NY covers 275.7 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 10, Kensington Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.9 miles from Buffalo, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 20 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Buffalo, NY to Jefferson, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sharon Springs along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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