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Trip from Malta, NY to Buffalo, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 41m

Distance

280.7 mi

452 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

37 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 29m ★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m

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

town in Saratoga County, New York, United States

Malta, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 280.7-mile drive from Malta, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 41 minutes of pure driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's a manageable trip that can be completed in a single day. You'll primarily be navigating on the New York State Thruway, though local roads like Amsterdam Road and State Highway 67 are also part of the journey. This route stays within New York, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. It’s a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

140.3 miles from Malta, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 280.7-mile journey, despite a significant portion being on the New York State Thruway. The highway share is relatively low at 5%, indicating a good amount of time will be spent on surface streets and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 247.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, suggesting a period of consistent highway travel. However, the overall character suggests a route that frequently transitions between faster highway segments and more engaging local road navigation, keeping you attentive behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 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 247.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near NY 67 / Dunning Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 280.7 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 0.4 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 272.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | NY 67 / Dunning Street

Enter roundabout onto NY 67 / Dunning Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
272.8 mi into trip | ~5h 29m 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
279.5 mi into trip | ~5h 39m 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
280 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in | Genesee Street

Turn right onto Genesee Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
280.4 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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 247.2 mi 4h 46m
Amsterdam Road 12.6 mi 17m
State Highway 67 7.7 mi 12m
Kensington Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
Church Street 1.4 mi 4m
State Highway 30 0.9 mi 1m
Dunning Street 0.9 mi 1m
Ballston Avenue 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 247.2 mi, about 4h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

155 ft · 2 sec · this road
2

Continue on NY 67

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Dunning Street
3

Enter roundabout onto NY 67

119 ft · 1 sec · Dunning Street
4

Continue on NY 67

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Dunning Street
5

Enter roundabout onto NY 67

127 ft · 2 sec · Dunning Street
6

Continue on NY 67

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Dunning Street
7

Enter roundabout onto NY 67

106 ft · 1 sec · Dunning Street
8

Continue on NY 67

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Dunning Street
9

Enter roundabout onto NY 67

115 ft · 1 sec · Dunning Street
10

Continue on NY 67

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Dunning Street
11

Turn straight onto NY 67

3.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 67
12

Continue on Ballston Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Ballston Avenue
13

Turn left onto NY 67

0.4 mi · 46 sec · West High Street
14

Continue on NY 67

13 mi · 17 min · Amsterdam Road
15

Continue on NY 67

4.5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 67
16

Continue on NY 67

1.4 mi · 4 min · Church Street
17

Continue on NY 67

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Highway 67
18

Continue on NY 67

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Market Street
19

Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Pearl Street
20

Continue on NY 30

381 ft · 10 sec · East Main Street
21

Continue on NY 30

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 30
22

Turn left

398 ft · 11 sec
23

Continue on this road

525 ft · 14 sec · this road
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West
25

Merge onto I 90

247 mi · 4 hr 46 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
26

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 51W Toward NY 33 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
27

Merge onto NY 33

6.4 mi · 8 min · Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward Oak Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on Oak Street

428 ft · 14 sec · Oak Street
30

Turn right onto Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
31

Turn right onto East Huron Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Huron Street
32

Turn left onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
33

Turn right onto Genesee Street

402 ft · 11 sec · Genesee Street
34

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

391 ft · 11 sec · Niagara Square
35

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 41-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 247.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $46 fuel cost is a helpful budget point, but be prepared for potential fluctuations. Since this is a 'turn-heavy local drive,' be mindful of speed limits and local traffic patterns as you approach your 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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.3 miles from Malta, NY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.2 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 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.3 miles or 2h 56m 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 40m

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 Malta, 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 Malta, NY

This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Malta, 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 247.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.3 mi from Malta, NY · 2h 56m into the drive

Downtown Camden, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Camden, NY

140 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.

Union, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.3 miles from Malta, 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 247.2 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.

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 ~14 min detour Free near mile 174.2
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 ~15 min detour Free near mile 96.8
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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free
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 164.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.20 one way

$92.41 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $49.96 $99.92
premium $4.92 $54.40 $108.81
diesel $5.61 $61.98 $123.95

Estimated Tolls: $12.36

New York State Thruway (247.2 mi) $12.36

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

$46

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

37 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Pattersonville, New York

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Amsterdam, New York

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Quick Charge Charging Station

Amsterdam, New York

Quick Charge

1 DCFC

EVolve NY Charging Station

Phelps, New York

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Amsterdam, New York

EV Connect

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Batavia, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

SWTCH Charging Station

Batavia, New York

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Verona, New York

Tesla

1 DCFC

Other: 16 ChargePoint: 12 EV Connect: 4 Tesla: 3 Quick Charge: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.2 1 $29.47 $13.47
Efficient EV 70.2 0 $24.56 $11.23
EV Truck/SUV 112.3 1 $39.30 $17.96

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 16, 2026

Origin

Malta, NY

Night in Malta on Thursday

Local time

11:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Night in Buffalo on Thursday

Local time

11:07 PM

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

55°F

Camden, NY

140 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

18 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 41m 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 Malta, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Amsterdam Road, State Highway 67. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.3 miles from Malta, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.20 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.7 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 0.4 miles (NY 67 / Dunning Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 272.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Malta, NY to Buffalo, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Buffalo, NY to Malta, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

281.3 mi 5h 42m

Explore more options from Malta, NY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, NY.

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