Origin
Hudson, NY
Afternoon in Hudson on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hudson, NY to Buffalo, NY
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
322.3 mi
519 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hudson, NY
Peter Olexa
Trip Overview
Spanning 322.3 miles across the Northeast, this trip from Hudson to Buffalo is a significant cross-state undertaking that typically takes around 5 hours and 7 minutes. While technically feasible as a single-day push, you should be prepared for a full day of driving. Budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route avoids major interstates in favor of local roads, it offers a distinct experience compared to the typical highway slog. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break it up, understanding the time commitment is essential for a smooth journey.
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
161.1 miles from Hudson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via South 3rd Street, Rhinebeck-Hudson Road, and NY 9G, keeping you off the high-speed interstates and on more intimate, winding paths. The personality of this drive is dictated by its technical nature rather than high-speed cruising, so don't expect long, monotonous stretches where you can set the cruise control. Instead, you'll be actively steering through a series of local roads that connect the Northeast region from one side of New York to the other.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 3rd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 7m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hudson, NY to Buffalo, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rhinebeck-Hudson Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NY 9G | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rip Van Winkle Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 23 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 87 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New York State Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South 3rd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Warren Street
82 ft
·
11 sec
·
Warren Street
2
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Street
3
Continue on Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
4
Take the ramp straight toward NY 9G, NY 23 West
341 ft
·
7 sec
·
NY 9G, NY 23 West
5
Merge slight left onto Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge
10 ft
·
1 sec
·
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
7
Exit the roundabout onto Rip Van Winkle Bridge
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
8
Continue on State Highway 23
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 23
9
Take the exit straight toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
10
Turn right
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
11
Take the exit slight right toward NYST, I 87
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
NYST, I 87
12
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North: Albany, Mass Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 87 North: Albany, Mass Turnpike
14
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
33 mi
·
38 min
·
New York State Thruway
15
Keep slight left to continue on New York State Thruway
274 mi
·
5 hr 16 min
·
New York State Thruway
16
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
NY 33 West: Buffalo
17
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Kensington Expressway
18
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Oak Street
19
Continue on Oak Street
430 ft
·
14 sec
·
Oak Street
20
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Genesee Street
21
Turn right onto East Huron Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Huron Street
22
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Franklin Street
23
Turn right onto Genesee Street
404 ft
·
12 sec
·
Genesee Street
24
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
390 ft
·
12 sec
·
Niagara Square
25
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since you have one recommended stop along the way, use it strategically to break up the 5-hour drive and give yourself a mental reset from the constant turns. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to manage the 322.3-mile distance before fatigue sets in. Because you are relying on local roads rather than major arteries, factor in extra time for unexpected traffic or slower-moving vehicles that you might encounter on smaller routes. A practical tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active at all times, as the reliance on local roads like NY 9G involves frequent turns that are easy to miss without clear, real-time guidance.
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 161.1 miles from Hudson, NY, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 12m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, NY
This is one driving day of about 322.3 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hudson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.1 mi from Hudson, NY · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.1 miles from Hudson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.47 one way
$104.94 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $56.86 | $113.72 |
| premium | $4.88 | $61.96 | $123.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.60 | $143.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.84 | $15.47 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.20 | $12.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.9 | 1 | $45.12 | $20.63 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Afternoon in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
5h 7m 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 Hudson, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 322.3 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 3rd Street, Rhinebeck-Hudson Road, NY 9G. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.1 miles from Hudson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.47 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 is a straightforward 5h 7m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hudson, NY to Buffalo, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hudson, NY to Buffalo, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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