Embark on a 415.7-mile journey from Lindenhurst, NY, to Buffalo, NY, a drive that will take approximately 8 hours and 40 minutes. This trip primarily utilizes major highways like I-86 and I-81, making it a focused drive. With a highway share of 64%, you'll spend a good portion of your time on fast-paced roads. Given the duration, this route is best enjoyed over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace and to account for two planned stops. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $68, and the overall feel is that of a straightforward interstate transit through the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.8 miles from Lindenhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This route offers a highway-focused experience, with 64% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter stretches like the 100 miles on I-86, which provide consistent forward momentum. The primary roads include I-86, Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81, indicating a mix of major arterial routes. Expect a driving profile that prioritizes efficiency over leisurely sightseeing, though the transition between these highways will offer some variation in scenery and pace. It's a drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 60 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 100 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 40 significant decision points across 415.7 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 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 40 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
23 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
23.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
42 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
42.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
44.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lindenhurst, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
Cross Island Parkway North
21.4 mi in|~28m
Hempstead Avenue West
23.1 mi in|~31m
Grandstand
23.3 mi in|~31m
Upper Level
39.5 mi in|~54m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
42 mi in|~58m
Hackensack
44.6 mi in|~1h 1m
Letchworth Park
350.3 mi in|~7h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Southern State Parkway
16.5 mi
20m
Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindenhurst, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on South Wellwood Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·South Wellwood Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward NY 27 West: New York
3
Merge onto NY 27
2.0 mi·2 min·Sunrise Highway
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward Huntington
5
Turn straight onto NY 110
1.4 mi·2 min·Broadway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Southern Parkway West, New York
7
Merge onto SO
17 mi·20 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
10
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
19
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
21
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
25
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
35
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
36
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
37
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
41
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
42
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
43
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
44
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
45
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
46
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
47
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
48
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
49
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
50
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
51
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
52
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
53
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
54
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
56
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
57
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
58
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
59
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
60
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
For this 8-hour and 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. Splitting the 415.7-mile trip over two days is highly recommended, allowing for two well-placed stops to break up the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $68, planning your refueling stops around the longer 100-mile stretch on I-86 is a practical consideration. Pay attention to the transition points between I-86, Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81, as these are key areas for navigation and potential rest breaks.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.8 miles from Lindenhurst, NY, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 91 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.8 miles or 4h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 207.8 miles or 4h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 13m
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 Lindenhurst, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lindenhurst, NY
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Lindenhurst, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 207.8 mi from Lindenhurst, NY
· 4h 17m into the drive
The midpoint is around 207.8 miles from Lindenhurst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 208 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Buffalo, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 43
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.43 one way
$136.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$73.99
$147.98
premium
$4.92
$80.57
$161.14
diesel
$5.61
$91.78
$183.56
Estimated Tolls: $23.14
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$68
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.7
1
$43.65
$19.95
Efficient EV
103.9
1
$36.37
$16.63
EV Truck/SUV
166.3
2
$58.20
$26.60
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 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
Lindenhurst, NY
Morning
in Lindenhurst on Friday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Morning
in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
208 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 40m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lindenhurst, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 415.7 miles and takes about 8h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 208 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 207.8 miles from Lindenhurst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.43 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 40 significant decision points across 415.7 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 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lindenhurst, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
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.
