Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
19m
Distance
11.4 mi
18 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wanakah, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Wanakah, NY covers 11.4 miles and takes about 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Buffalo Skyway, South Lake Shore Road, Hamburg Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 4.8 miles on Buffalo Skyway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 19m. Total distance: 11.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 19m drive with frequent turns across 11.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 0.1 miles in near NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 3 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8 miles (NY 5 / Hamburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5 / Hamburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Skyway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| South Lake Shore Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Hamburg Turnpike | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Lake Shore Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Elmwood Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Perkins Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Niagara Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Wanakah, NY.
Start on NY 384
Continue on Perkins Drive
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 5
Continue on NY 5
Continue on NY 5
Continue on NY 5
Continue on NY 5
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5
Continue on NY 5
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$1.88 one way
$3.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.03 | $4.06 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.52 | $5.03 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.49
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Tolls
$0
Total
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.20 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.00 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.60 | $0.73 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
6:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Wanakah on Thursday
Local time
6:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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