Origin
Morristown, NY
Late night in Morristown on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
5h 4m
Distance
258.5 mi
416 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morristown, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
This 258.5-mile journey from Morristown, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours. The route predominantly utilizes the New York State Thruway, with portions on I-81 and State Highway 37, making it a largely highway-focused trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent travel experience across New York State.
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
129.2 miles from Morristown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
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Expect a mixed drive experience on this route, with 45% of it being highway travel. The New York State Thruway forms the backbone of this trip, offering long, uninterrupted stretches, including one that extends for 138.1 miles. While much of the drive features the efficiency of major roadways, you'll also encounter sections of I-81 and State Highway 37, which may offer a slightly different driving feel. Overall, it’s a practical route designed for covering distance efficiently.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 111.9 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 258.5 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 111.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Oak Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 138.1 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 68.3 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 37 | 27.2 mi | 31m |
| State Route 37 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| North Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| NY 342 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Morristown, NY and Buffalo, NY.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto NY 37
Continue on NY 37
Continue on NY 37
Continue on NY 37
Turn right onto NY 342
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I-81
Continue on I 81
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 33
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on Oak Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Turn right onto East Huron Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of your drive, consider an early morning departure from Morristown to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Buffalo. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing where to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway is over 138 miles, so planning your last fuel-up before that segment is a good idea.
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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Morristown, 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 Morristown, NY
This is one driving day of about 258.5 miles and 5h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.2 mi from Morristown, NY · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 129.2 miles from Morristown, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.1 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
$42.55 one way
$85.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $46.01 | $92.02 |
| premium | $4.92 | $50.10 | $100.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.07 | $114.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.90
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
$43
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.14 | $12.41 |
| Efficient EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.62 | $10.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.19 | $16.54 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Morristown on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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.
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