Trip from Sheridan, NY to Buffalo, NY

Drive Time

57m

Distance

42.3 mi

68 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 53m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m

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

Downtown Sheridan, NY, NY

Sheridan, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick trip from Sheridan to Buffalo, you are looking at a manageable 42.3-mile journey that typically takes about 57 minutes to complete. This drive stays entirely within the Northeast region, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, it is a cost-effective way to transition from the quieter parts of Sheridan into the city. Since the route involves no formal stops, you can easily complete the drive in one straightforward push. Whether you are heading into town for business or a change of scenery, the route is simple enough to navigate without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

21.1 miles from Sheridan, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a turn-heavy local profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend about 6 percent of your time on the highway, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 23.2 miles on the New York State Thruway. The remainder of your journey transitions through East Main Street and the Buffalo Skyway, shifting from regional roads to urban transit. Expect a mix of driving conditions that moves away from high-speed interstate cruising toward more technical, local navigation. It is a varied experience that requires you to stay alert as the road character evolves along the way.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 23.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

770 ft 577 ft

Total Climb

232 ft

Total Descent

389 ft

Highest Point

770 ft

~26.4 mi in

Elevation Range

192 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near US 20; NY 5 Alternate / Central Avenue.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (US 20; NY 5 Alternate / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
5.5 mi into trip | ~8m in | US 20; NY 5 Alternate / Central Avenue

Turn right onto US 20; NY 5 Alternate / Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
9.2 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
8
32.9 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 56 Toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park
7
33.7 mi into trip | ~44m in | NY 179 / Milestrip Road

At end of road, turn right onto NY 179 / Milestrip Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
42.1 mi into trip | ~57m in | NY 384 / Niagara Square

Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sheridan, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Orchard Park along the way.

Orchard Park

32.9 mi in | ~42m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 23.2 mi 26m
East Main Street 5.5 mi 8m
Buffalo Skyway 4.7 mi 6m
Central Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
Main Road 1.3 mi 2m
Hamburg Turnpike 1.2 mi 2m
Milestrip Expressway 1.2 mi 1m
Lake Shore Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 23.2 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 20

5.5 mi · 8 min · East Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 20; NY 5 Alternate

1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
3

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
5

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 1 min · this road
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
7

Merge onto I 90

23 mi · 26 min · New York State Thruway
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 56 Toward NY 179: Blasdell, Orchard Park Use the right lane.
9

At end of road, turn right onto NY 179

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Milestrip Road
Use the right lane.
10

Continue on NY 179

1.2 mi · 1 min · Milestrip Expressway
11

Enter roundabout

123 ft · 1 sec
12

Continue

443 ft · 12 sec
13

Continue on this road

412 ft · 12 sec · this road
14

Continue on NY 5

400 ft · 10 sec · State Route 5
15

Continue on NY 5

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Shore Road
16

Continue on NY 5

1.2 mi · 2 min · Hamburg Turnpike
17

Continue on NY 5

4.7 mi · 6 min · Buffalo Skyway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on NY 384

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Niagara Square
20

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

Because this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about planning for rest stops or meal breaks given the 42.3-mile distance. Keep in mind that since the route relies on a combination of the Thruway and local streets like the Buffalo Skyway, traffic patterns may shift as you approach the city center. Budgeting $7 for fuel is sufficient, but it is always smart to fill up before you leave Sheridan to avoid city-center gas prices. Use your time wisely by checking local traffic reports for the Buffalo Skyway before you head out to ensure a smooth arrival.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.1 miles from Sheridan, NY, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.2 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 42.3 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 21.1 miles or 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 47m

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 Sheridan, 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 Sheridan, NY

This is one driving day of about 42.3 miles and 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sheridan, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 23.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 21.1 mi from Sheridan, NY · 29m into the drive

Downtown Hamburg, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hamburg, NY

21 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.

Popular next leg

Hamburg, NY to Buffalo, NY

13.5 mi · 23m

Pacing Suggestions

Kenmore, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hamburg, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Sheridan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.89 one way

$13.77 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $7.46 $14.92
premium $4.88 $8.13 $16.26
diesel $5.64 $9.40 $18.80

Estimated Tolls: $1.57

New York State Thruway (23.2 mi) $1.16
Buffalo Skyway (4.7 mi) $0.33
Hamburg Turnpike (1.2 mi) $0.08

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

$7

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.7 0 $4.44 $2.03
Efficient EV 10.6 0 $3.70 $1.69
EV Truck/SUV 16.9 0 $5.92 $2.71

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Sheridan, NY

Afternoon in Sheridan on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Afternoon in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

50°F

Hamburg, NY

21 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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

57m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Sheridan, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 42.3 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, East Main Street, Buffalo Skyway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Sheridan, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (US 20; NY 5 Alternate / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Sheridan, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Orchard Park along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 577 ft to 770 ft elevation with about 232 ft of total climbing.

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