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Trip from Clifton Park, NY to Buffalo, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

282.6 mi

455 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 28m ★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 50m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 6m
8 PM
5h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Saratoga County, New York state, USA

Clifton Park, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Clifton Park, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 282.6 miles and takes about 5h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on New York State Thruway, Kensington Expressway, NY 146 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 258.7 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.52 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

141.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 282.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 40m drive with frequent turns across 282.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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 258.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in near 5th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 282.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 274.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
11.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | 5th Street

Turn right onto 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
274.6 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in

Take the exit toward NY 33 West: Buffalo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
7
281.4 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Oak Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Oak Street
6
281.9 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in | Genesee Street

Turn right onto Genesee Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
282.3 mi into trip | ~5h 40m in | Franklin Street

Turn left onto Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 258.7 mi 4h 59m
Kensington Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
NY 146 3.5 mi 5m
Vley Road 2.7 mi 5m
State Highway 146 2.6 mi 4m
Glenridge Road 2.3 mi 4m
Saratoga Road 1.5 mi 2m
Ballston Road 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 258.7 mi, about 4h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifton Park, NY and Buffalo, NY.

1

Start on Old Route 146

75 ft · 5 sec · Old Route 146
2

Turn right onto US 9

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Halfmoon Parkway
3

Turn slight right

417 ft · 16 sec
4

Turn straight onto NY 146

2.6 mi · 4 min · State Highway 146
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Enter roundabout onto NY 146

120 ft · 2 sec · NY 146
6

Continue on NY 146

3.5 mi · 5 min · NY 146
7

Continue on Glenridge Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Glenridge Road
8

Enter roundabout onto Glenridge Road

86 ft · 2 sec · Glenridge Road
9

Continue on Glenridge Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Glenridge Road
10

Turn left onto NY 50

1.5 mi · 2 min · Saratoga Road
11

Turn straight onto NY 50

1.3 mi · 2 min · Ballston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on NY 50

416 ft · 12 sec · North Ballston Avenue
13

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.3 mi · 52 sec · 5th Street
Use the right lane.
14

Turn right onto Vley Road

2.7 mi · 5 min · Vley Road
15

Continue on NY 890

0.5 mi · 41 sec · NY 890
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 53 sec
Toward I 90
17

Turn straight

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 90 West
18

Merge onto I 90

259 mi · 4 hr 59 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto NY 33

6.4 mi · 8 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward Oak Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on Oak Street

428 ft · 14 sec · Oak Street
23

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
24

Turn right onto East Huron Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Huron Street
25

Turn left onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto Genesee Street

402 ft · 11 sec · Genesee Street
27

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

391 ft · 11 sec · Niagara Square
28

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

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 141.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.7 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 62 miles or 1h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.3 miles or 2h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 38m

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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, NY

This is one driving day of about 282.6 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Clifton Park, 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 258.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.3 mi from Clifton Park, NY · 2h 54m into the drive

village in Oneida County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Whitesboro, NY

141 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

Johnstown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Camden, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258.7 miles.

Arriving in Buffalo, NY

The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, NY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

EVolve NY Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 181.6

Phelps, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 80.7

Frankfort, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 20.2

Pattersonville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 242.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 242.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 242.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 242.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 100.9

Rome, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, NY

Hours: Closed

+17168471773

Visit website

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17166555131

Visit website

Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Wilkeson Pointe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17164367100

Visit website

Oldest Tree In Buffalo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 282.6

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Women's Rights National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 175.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Stanwix National Monument

Fort Stanwix National Monument

National Monument

For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 97.4
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 165.6
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.52 one way

$93.04 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $50.30 $100.60
premium $4.92 $54.77 $109.55
diesel $5.61 $62.39 $124.79

Estimated Tolls: $12.93

New York State Thruway (258.7 mi) $12.93

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

$47

Tolls

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.8 1 $29.67 $13.56
Efficient EV 70.7 0 $24.73 $11.30
EV Truck/SUV 113 1 $39.56 $18.09

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Clifton Park, NY

Morning in Clifton Park on Friday

Local time

10:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Friday

Local time

10:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 82% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

39°F

Whitesboro, NY

141 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

21 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

5h 40m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clifton Park, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 282.6 miles and takes about 5h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New York State Thruway, Kensington Expressway, NY 146. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 141.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.52 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 282.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 274.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Clifton Park, NY to Buffalo, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Women's Rights National Historical Park, Fort Stanwix National Monument and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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