This 357.2-mile journey from Chestnut Ridge to Buffalo, NY, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 84% of it utilizing major roadways like Long Mountain Parkway and I-86, formerly NY 17. With an estimated fuel cost of $59, this trip offers a straightforward driving experience through the Northeast region. While it's a manageable day trip, planning for two stops will help break up the drive. It's a practical option for reaching Buffalo efficiently from the Chestnut Ridge area.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.6 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 357.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 357.2-mile trip, with 84% of the route comprising major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on Long Mountain Parkway and I-86. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While primarily a highway experience, the transition between these main roads will guide you through the varied landscapes of New York.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Mountain Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 107.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 357.2 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 17.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State T...
6
291.8 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
8
351 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara F...
8
356.5 mi into trip|~7h 29m in
Take the exit toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
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 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
7
356.8 mi into trip|~7h 30m in|NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Chestnut Ridge, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
Letchworth Park
291.8 mi in|~5h 53m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi
14m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
11.6 mi
12m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Big Tree Road
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on this road
105 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 45
1.4 mi·2 min·Chestnut Ridge Road
3
Continue on NY 45
3.3 mi·5 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto CR 80
0.5 mi·1 min·New Hempstead Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
12 mi·12 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
9
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
14
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
15
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
16
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
17
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
18
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
19
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
20
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
21
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
22
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
24
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
26
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
27
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
31
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
33
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 31-minute estimated drive time, departing early in the morning from Chestnut Ridge is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With two planned stops, you can comfortably break up the 357.2-mile journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 107.6-mile stretch on Long Mountain Parkway, as services might be less frequent. The $59 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to budget a little extra. This route is designed for efficient travel, so focus on enjoying the steady progress toward Buffalo.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.6 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 79 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chestnut Ridge, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chestnut Ridge, NY
This is one driving day of about 357.2 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178.6 mi from Chestnut Ridge, NY
· 3h 41m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.80 one way
$117.59 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$63.58
$127.16
premium
$4.92
$69.23
$138.46
diesel
$5.61
$78.87
$157.73
Estimated Tolls: $0.31
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)$0.24
New York State Thruway
(1.3 mi)$0.07
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
$59
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Dansville, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Owego, New York
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Central Valley, New York
EV Connect
1 DCFC
EvGateway Charging Station
Owego, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Binghamton, New York
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Central Valley, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroe, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Bath, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 8
ChargePoint: 3
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 2
Electrify America: 1
EVgo: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Efficient EV
89.3
1
$31.25
$14.29
EV Truck/SUV
142.9
1
$50.01
$22.86
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 15, 2026
Origin
Chestnut Ridge, NY
Morning
in Chestnut Ridge on Friday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Morning
in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
179 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
5 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
7h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 357.2 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Mountain Parkway, I 86, NY 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178.6 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 357.2 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 17.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
