The drive from Roxbury, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 392.9 miles and takes about 8h 25m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 86, I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway 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 $64.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
196.4 miles from Roxbury, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.
This is a 8h 25m highway drive covering 392.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 86 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 100 miles on I 86.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 68 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 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 48 significant decision points across 392.9 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 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 48 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Marine Parkway Bridge, Brooklyn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Marine Parkway Bridge, Brooklyn
9
12.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
14.9 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
16.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
386.7 mi into trip|~8h 15m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara F...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Roxbury, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.
Del Water Gap
44 mi in|~1h 12m
Mahwah
44.3 mi in|~1h 12m|via I 80W
Letchworth Park
327.5 mi in|~6h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi
14m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roxbury, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on this road
270 ft·24 sec·this road
2
Turn left
218 ft·23 sec
3
Turn left onto Beach 181st Street
376 ft·31 sec·Beach 181st Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto Rockaway Point Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Rockaway Point Boulevard
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward Marine Parkway Bridge, BrooklynUse the straight lane.
6
Turn straight onto Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
0.9 mi·1 min·Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
7
Continue on Flatbush Avenue
3.2 mi·6 min·Flatbush Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn slight right onto Utica Avenue
2.6 mi·5 min·Utica Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Church Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Church Avenue
10
Turn right onto East 35th Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·East 35th Street
11
Turn left onto NY 27
0.6 mi·55 sec·Linden Boulevard
12
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·Caton Avenue
13
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi·51 sec·Saint Pauls Place
14
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Parkside Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft·5 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
16
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft·0 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
19
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
21
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
22
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
24
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
26
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
28
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
29
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
31
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
32
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
33
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn straight onto NJ 3
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
38
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
43
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
44
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
45
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
49
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
50
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
51
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
52
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
53
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
54
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
55
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
56
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
57
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
58
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
59
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
60
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
61
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
62
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
64
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
65
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
66
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
67
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
68
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
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 196.4 miles from Roxbury, NY, or about 4h 14m 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 86 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.4 miles or 4h 14m 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 196.4 miles or 4h 14m
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 6h 57m
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 Roxbury, 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 Roxbury, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Roxbury, 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 196.4 mi from Roxbury, NY
· 4h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 196.4 miles from Roxbury, 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 196 miles or 4.2 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.
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
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...
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...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
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...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.67 one way
$129.35 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$69.93
$139.87
premium
$4.92
$76.15
$152.30
diesel
$5.61
$86.75
$173.49
Estimated Tolls: $16.31
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$65
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.9
1
$41.25
$18.86
Efficient EV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
EV Truck/SUV
157.2
1
$55.01
$25.15
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Roxbury, NY
Late night
in Roxbury on Saturday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Late night
in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
196 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
1 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 25m 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 Roxbury, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 392.9 miles and takes about 8h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 196 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 196.4 miles from Roxbury, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.67 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 48 significant decision points across 392.9 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 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Roxbury, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Governors Island National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
