Origin
Buffalo, NY
Afternoon in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to Montour Falls, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
147.2 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
56 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montour Falls, NY
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
Buffalo, NY to Montour Falls, NY is 147.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that involves a good amount of turning, so it's not a simple point-and-go. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it ideal if you're looking for a straightforward trip without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a journey that offers a mix of highway speeds and more local road navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.6 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 94.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| West Lake Road | 33.1 mi | 41m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| NY 14 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| North Franklin Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Catherine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lochland Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 94.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Montour Falls, 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
94 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 42
Toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
213 ft
·
5 sec
13
Merge onto NY 14
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
NY 14
14
Turn right onto NY 14
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Seneca Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto NY 14
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on NY 14
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lochland Road
17
Continue on NY 14
33 mi
·
41 min
·
West Lake Road
18
Continue on NY 14
385 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lake Shore Drive
19
Continue on NY 14
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Franklin Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on NY 14
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Catherine Street
21
Arrive at destination
NY 14
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 5m duration and the turn-heavy nature of the drive, leaving Buffalo, NY, in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $24, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The longest stretch on the New York State Thruway offers a good opportunity for a sustained drive before you encounter more local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get closer to Montour Falls, NY, as services might be less frequent on the local portions.
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 73.6 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.2 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 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montour Falls, 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 147.2 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 94.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.6 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 94.2 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 108.9 — 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.
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
102.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
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 42
Toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
7
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
NY 14 / South Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto NY 14 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.23 one way
$48.46 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $26.20 | $52.40 |
| premium | $4.92 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.50 | $65.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.71
New York State Thruway
(94.2 mi)
$4.71
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
$24
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
56 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Geneva, New York
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Phelps, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Williamsville, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Williamsville, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Williamsville, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Quick Charge Charging Station
Buffalo, New York
Quick Charge
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Batavia, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Watkins Glen, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 20
ChargePoint: 15
EV Connect: 13
Tesla Destination: 2
Tesla: 2
Quick Charge: 1
ViaLynk: 1
Electrify America: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.46 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.61 | $9.42 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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
Montour Falls, NY
Afternoon in Montour Falls on Saturday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Manchester, NY
74 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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
3h 5m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 106.6
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 106.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with only 9% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 94.2 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway. As you progress, you'll transition from faster highway segments to more winding local roads, requiring your attention. The profile suggests a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, so be prepared to adjust your speed and focus.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 94.2 miles.
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 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
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 12 significant decision points across 147.2 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 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
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.
Between Buffalo, NY and Montour Falls, NY, road signs point toward Albany and Lyons.
Albany
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Lyons
102.4 mi in
|
~2h 2m
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 Montour Falls, 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 3h 5m. Total distance: 147.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Montour Falls, NY covers 147.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, West Lake Road, Kensington Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.6 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 $24.23 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 147.2 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.
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 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Buffalo, NY and Montour Falls, NY, road signs point toward Albany and Lyons.
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.
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