Origin
Buffalo, NY
Morning in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
9:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to Ontario, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
95.6 mi
154 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ontario, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 95.6-mile drive from Buffalo, NY, to Ontario, NY, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes major highways like the New York State Thruway, Western Expressway, and Keeler Street Expressway, making for a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this trip is an economical option for a quick getaway or transfer. The mixed driving profile suggests a blend of highway speeds and potentially some local road transitions. Given its short duration and direct path, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.8 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 95.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this 95.6-mile route, with 45% of it being highway driving. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New York State Thruway, including a longest stretch of 42.8 miles uninterrupted. This means you'll experience periods of consistent highway speeds, punctuated by transitions onto the Western Expressway and Keeler Street Expressway. The road character will likely shift as you move from the main thruway to these connected expressways, offering a dynamic driving experience without being overly complex. It's a route that balances efficiency with a touch of urban and suburban expressway navigation.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 42.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 95.6 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese 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.
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
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 490, NY 19: LeRoy, Rochester
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 47
Toward I 490, NY 19: LeRoy, Rochester
7
73.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward NY 104 East: Ridge Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24A
Toward NY 104 East: Ridge Road East
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 Ontario, NY, road signs point toward Albany and Rochester.
Albany
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Rochester
51 mi in
|
~1h 3m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 42.8 mi | 49m |
| Western Expressway | 18.7 mi | 22m |
| Keeler Street Expressway | 17.9 mi | 24m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| West Ridge Road | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Outer Loop | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Furnace Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Genesee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 42.8 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Ontario, 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
43 mi
·
49 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 47
Toward I 490, NY 19: LeRoy, Rochester
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 490
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Western Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9A
Toward NY 390 North: Greece
14
Merge onto NY 390
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 24A
Toward NY 104 East: Ridge Road East
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto NY 104
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Ridge Road
17
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Bridge
18
Continue on NY 104
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
165 ft
·
9 sec
20
Turn straight onto CR 110
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Furnace Road
21
Turn left onto CR 103
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ridge Road
22
Arrive at destination
CR 103
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour drive, departing in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid the heaviest traffic. Since there are no designated stops and the total distance is only 95.6 miles, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed without significantly impacting your arrival time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, perhaps before you get onto the longest stretch of the New York State Thruway. A helpful tip for this route is to ensure your E-ZPass is functioning if you plan to use the New York State Thruway, as tolls are common.
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 47.8 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ontario, 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 95.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 42.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.8 mi from Buffalo, NY · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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
Arriving in Ontario, NY
The final approach into Ontario, 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 Ontario, 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
$15.74 one way
$31.47 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $17.02 | $34.03 |
| premium | $4.92 | $18.53 | $37.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.11 | $42.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.14
New York State Thruway
(42.8 mi)
$2.14
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
$16
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Ontario, NY
Morning in Ontario on Friday
Local time
9:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Greece, NY
48 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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 2m 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 Buffalo, NY to Ontario, NY covers 95.6 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Western Expressway, Keeler Street Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.8 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 $15.74 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 95.6 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 Ontario, NY, road signs point toward Albany and Rochester.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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