Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
270.4 mi
435 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livingston Manor, NY
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Livingston Manor, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 270.4 miles and takes about 5h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 86, NY 17, Genesee Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100 miles on I 86. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.51 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
135.2 miles from Livingston Manor, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 270.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 5h 45m highway drive covering 270.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 86 and NY 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 100 miles on I 86.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 205 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 270.4 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 205 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 264.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Livingston Manor, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
Letchworth Park
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| NY 17 | 71.1 mi | 1h 30m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| Aurora Expressway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Big Tree Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Leicester Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Niagara Thruway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Livingston Manor, NY and Buffalo, NY.
Start on Pearl Street
Turn right onto CR 149
Turn left onto CR 179
Turn right onto CR 81
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
Take the exit
Turn left onto NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Turn left onto CR 64
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 400
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on I 190
Take the exit
Continue on NY 5
Turn left onto NY 384
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
Arrive at destination
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.
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 59 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 46m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Livingston Manor, 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 Livingston Manor, NY
This is one driving day of about 270.4 miles and 5h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.2 mi from Livingston Manor, NY · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Livingston Manor, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$44.51 one way
$89.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $48.13 | $96.26 |
| premium | $4.92 | $52.41 | $104.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.70 | $119.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.31
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
$45
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.86 | $17.31 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Livingston Manor on Friday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Evening in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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