The drive from Buffalo, NY to Knox, NY covers 271.6 miles and takes about 5h 29m 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, NY 162, NY 7 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 $44.71 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
135.8 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
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 5h 29m. Total distance: 271.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (12%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 29m drive with frequent turns across 271.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 271.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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 Knox, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sharon Springs along the way.
Sharon Springs
235.4 mi in|~4h 35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
227.2 mi
4h 22m
NY 162
15.1 mi
20m
NY 7
6.8 mi
9m
Kensington Expressway
6.8 mi
9m
Beebe Road
3.3 mi
4m
State Highway 5S
2.2 mi
3m
Schoharie Turnpike
1.9 mi
3m
Junction Road
1.3 mi
2m
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 Knox, 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, AlbanyUse 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 29Toward NY 10: Canajoharie, Sharon SpringsUse the slight right lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5S
0.2 mi·27 sec·East Main Street
13
Continue on NY 5S
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 5S
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 162
15 mi·20 min·NY 162
15
Turn left onto CR 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Junction Road
16
Continue on Zicha Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Zicha Road
17
Turn left onto NY 7
6.8 mi·9 min·NY 7
18
Turn straight onto CR 74
1.9 mi·3 min·Schoharie Turnpike
19
Turn right onto Crow Hill Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Crow Hill Road
20
Turn straight onto CR 253
0.1 mi·11 sec·Bozenkill Road
21
Turn right onto West Wind Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Wind Road
22
Turn right onto CR 252
0.3 mi·44 sec·Knox Cave Road
23
Turn left onto CR 259
3.3 mi·4 min·Beebe Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto CR 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Knox-Gallupville Road
25
Continue on CR 255
261 ft·7 sec·Knox-Gallupville Road
26
Turn straight onto NY 156
0.9 mi·1 min·Berne-Altamont Road
27
Turn left onto CR 252
30 ft·0 sec·Knox Cave Road
28
Arrive at destination
CR 252
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 135.8 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 2h 40m 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.8 miles or 2h 40m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knox, 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 271.6 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.8 mi from Buffalo, NY
· 2h 40m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 112.4
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 187.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 121.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.71 one way
$89.41 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$48.34
$96.69
premium
$4.92
$52.64
$105.28
diesel
$5.61
$59.97
$119.93
Estimated Tolls: $11.49
New York State Thruway
(227.2 mi)$11.36
Schoharie Turnpike
(1.9 mi)$0.13
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
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tops Friendly Markets - Tesla Supercharger
West Seneca, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
SWTCH Energy Inc.
Buffalo, NY
SWTCH
4 DCFC
Aldi Broadway TUL 84
Buffalo, NY
RED_E
4 DCFC
SWTCH: 1
RED_E: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.5
1
$28.52
$13.04
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.77
$10.86
EV Truck/SUV
108.6
1
$38.02
$17.38
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Buffalo, NY
Late night
in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knox, NY
Late night
in Knox on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°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
5h 29m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Knox, NY covers 271.6 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NY 162, NY 7. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.8 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 $44.71 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 271.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 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 Knox, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
