Origin
Buffalo, NY
Evening in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to South Hill, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
154.5 mi
249 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Hill, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
This 154.5-mile drive from Buffalo, NY to South Hill, NY will take you about 3 hours and 22 minutes. It's a manageable trip, easily completed in a single day, so you don't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway, State Highway 96, and State Highway 89, with about 22% of the journey on highways. You can expect to spend around $25 on fuel for this trip. This is a local drive that offers a good balance of highway speed and more winding sections, making it a pleasant way to travel within the Northeast region.
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
77.2 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 154.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route. While 22% of the journey is on highways, the majority of the 154.5 miles will likely involve navigating more varied road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 94.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent speed. After this, the road profile shifts, likely incorporating more turns and potentially slower speeds as you transition to State Highway 96 and State Highway 89. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more engaging local road driving.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 41 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?
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
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 26 significant decision points across 154.5 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 26 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
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
6
152.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 South Hill, NY, road signs point toward Albany, Lyons and Waterloo.
Albany
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Lyons
102.4 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Waterloo
103.3 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 94.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| State Highway 96 | 16.4 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 89 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Trumansburg Road | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Ovid Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Ernsberger Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Townline Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
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 South Hill, 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
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
NY 14
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Waterloo
15
Turn straight onto NY 96
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 96
16
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Road
17
Turn right onto NY 96
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Virginia Street
18
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
19
Turn right onto NY 96
346 ft
·
17 sec
·
West River Street
20
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Fayette Street
21
Continue on NY 96
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 96
22
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Townline Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ovid Street
24
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Ernsberger Road
25
At end of road, turn right onto NY 89
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 89
26
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 141
27
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Powell Road
28
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 96
29
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Trumansburg Road
30
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
31
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Trumansburg Road
32
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cliff Street
33
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Buffalo Street
34
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft
·
24 sec
·
Taughannock Boulevard
35
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft
·
11 sec
·
West State Street
36
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left onto NY 96B
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Clinton Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Turn right onto NY 96B
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Aurora Street
39
Continue on NY 96B
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Danby Road
40
Turn left onto CR 119
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Coddington Road
41
Arrive at destination
CR 119
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is a good idea to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of freedom to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan to refuel if needed, especially before embarking on the 94.2-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be spontaneous with your timing and enjoy the changing scenery as you make your way from Buffalo to South Hill.
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 77.2 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 1h 33m 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 33m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Hill, 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 154.5 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.2 mi from Buffalo, NY · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.2 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.
Arriving in South Hill, NY
The final approach into South Hill, 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 South Hill, 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
$25.43 one way
$50.86 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $27.50 | $55.00 |
| premium | $4.92 | $29.95 | $59.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.11 | $68.22 |
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
$25
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.22 | $7.42 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
South Hill, NY
Evening in South Hill on Friday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Thompson, NY
77 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
14 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 22m 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 South Hill, NY covers 154.5 miles and takes about 3h 22m 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 96, State Highway 89. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.2 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 $25.43 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 26 significant decision points across 154.5 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 South Hill, NY, road signs point toward Albany, Lyons and Waterloo.
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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