Origin
Inwood, NY
Evening in Inwood on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Inwood, NY to Buffalo, NY
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
6h 26m
Distance
383.9 mi
618 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 14m
★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 33m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Inwood, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 383.9-mile journey from Inwood, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is estimated to take around 6 hours and 26 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll navigate local streets initially, including West 179th Street, before merging onto I 95 South and crossing the George Washington Bridge (upper level). With a projected fuel cost of $63, this route falls within the Northeast region for both its start and end points. Expect a single stop to be sufficient for this drive, which is characterized by frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. It's a route that demands your attention, so plan for a full day behind the wheel.
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
191.9 miles from Inwood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is primarily a turn-heavy local experience, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating city streets and local roads for the majority of your 383.9 miles. The profile suggests a continuous engagement with traffic signals and intersections, rather than extended periods of cruising. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, anticipate frequent changes in direction and speed as you make your way through various communities. This isn't a route for autopilot; it's one where you'll be actively steering and monitoring your surroundings for the full 6 hours and 26 minutes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 179th 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
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 26m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Inwood, NY to Buffalo, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 179th Street | — | — |
| I 95 South | — | — |
| George Washington Bridge (upper level) | — | — |
| New Jersey Turnpike | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | — | — |
| Keystone Shortway | — | — |
| I 380 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West 179th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inwood, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway
2
Turn right onto West 179th Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 179th Street
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
4
Merge slight left onto George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
5
Continue straight
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
6
Keep slight left
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
7
Keep slight left
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
10
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
12
Continue on Christopher Columbus Highway
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
13
Keep slight left to continue on Keystone Shortway
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
14
Keep slight left to continue on Keystone Shortway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 North: Scranton
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 380 North: Scranton
16
Continue straight
28 mi
·
30 min
17
Merge slight right
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 86: Corning
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86: Corning
19
Keep slight left to continue on Genesee Expressway
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
20
Take the exit slight right toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
21
Turn left onto Sonyea Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
22
Continue on Main Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
23
Continue on Mount Morris Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
24
Turn left onto Perry Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
25
Continue on Leicester Road
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
26
Continue on East Buffalo Street
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
27
Continue on West Buffalo Road
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
28
Continue on Varysburg Road
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
29
Continue on Big Tree Road
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
30
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
31
Merge slight left onto Aurora Expressway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
32
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Buffalo
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 90 East: Buffalo
33
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
34
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
35
Continue on Niagara Thruway
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
36
Take the exit slight right toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
37
Continue on Church Street
522 ft
·
22 sec
·
Church Street
38
Turn left onto Delaware Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
39
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
40
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 26-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 383.9-mile route, an early start from Inwood, NY, is highly recommended to maximize daylight hours. While the fuel cost is estimated at a manageable $63, factor in potential delays from local traffic, especially around the George Washington Bridge. With only one stop suggested, plan it strategically for a meal or a break to refresh. The lack of significant highway driving means you’ll be moving through towns and cities, so stay alert for changing speed limits and local road conditions. A specific tip: be sure your GPS is fully updated, as navigating numerous local roads can be complex.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.9 miles from Inwood, NY, or about 3h 13m 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 84 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.9 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
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 Inwood, 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 Inwood, NY
This is one driving day of about 383.9 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Inwood, 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 191.9 mi from Inwood, NY · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.9 miles from Inwood, 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
$63.19 one way
$126.38 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $68.33 | $136.66 |
| premium | $4.92 | $74.41 | $148.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.76 | $169.52 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
$0.00
New York State Thruway
$0.00
Niagara Thruway
$0.00
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
$63
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.31 | $18.43 |
| Efficient EV | 96 | 1 | $33.59 | $15.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.6 | 1 | $53.75 | $24.57 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Evening in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 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
2 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
6h 26m 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 Inwood, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 383.9 miles and takes about 6h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 179th Street, I 95 South, George Washington Bridge (upper level). Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.9 miles from Inwood, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.19 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 26m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Inwood, NY to Buffalo, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Inwood, NY to Buffalo, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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