Origin
Suffern, NY
Evening in Suffern on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Suffern, NY to Buffalo, NY
Drive Time
7h 20m
Distance
349.7 mi
563 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 10m
★
6 AM
7h 21m
8 AM
7h 42m
10 AM
7h 28m
12 PM
7h 26m
3 PM
7h 29m
5 PM
7h 41m
8 PM
7h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Suffern to Buffalo covers 349.7 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. You will primarily utilize NY 17, I-86, and the Genesee Expressway to make your way across New York State. While it is possible to complete this journey in a single day, the seven-plus hours behind the wheel require a focused approach. Expect to spend approximately $57 on fuel for the trip. Since both endpoints are located within the Northeast region, the route maintains a consistent regional feel, making this a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the lower Hudson Valley to Western New York.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.9 miles from Suffern, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused personality, with roughly 80% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant initial leg, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 134.6 miles along NY 17. The transition between the primary corridors keeps the drive moving efficiently, though you should be prepared for the steady rhythm of interstate travel. While the route avoids the complexities of local stop-and-go traffic, the sheer distance requires consistent attention to the road. You can expect a reliable, high-capacity driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 349.7 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
14.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
7
151.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
|
I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward I 86: Corning
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 86: Corning
8
343.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 10m 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...
8
349.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Suffern, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
Letchworth Park
284.3 mi in
|
~5h 42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 134.6 mi | 2h 46m |
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 134.6 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffern, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
40 ft
·
8 sec
·
Washington Avenue
2
Continue on Washington Avenue
114 ft
·
12 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto NY 59
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Lafayette Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 202; 59
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Orange Avenue
5
Continue on NY 59
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Orange Turnpike
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 87 North: New York State Thruway
7
Merge onto I 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on NY 17
135 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
NY 17
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
15
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
16
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
18
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
19
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
20
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
21
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
22
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
23
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
25
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
Use the none lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
27
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
Use the none lane.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
32
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
34
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
To manage the 349.7-mile trek effectively, aim to plan at least two designated stops to break up the 7-hour and 20-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the highway portions before peak traffic hours set in. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $57, it is wise to monitor your consumption levels during the long 134.6-mile stretch on NY 17 to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because this is a single-day commitment, keep your schedule flexible enough to accommodate unexpected construction or rest needs. Staying ahead of your fuel stops will make this long haul much more manageable.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.9 miles from Suffern, NY, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.6 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.9 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
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 Suffern, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Suffern, NY
This is one driving day of about 349.7 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Suffern, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 134.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.9 mi from Suffern, NY · 3h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.9 miles from Suffern, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.6 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.93 one way
$113.86 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $61.69 | $123.39 |
| premium | $4.88 | $67.23 | $134.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.69 | $155.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.03
New York State Thruway
(13.9 mi)
$0.70
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)
$0.24
Orange Turnpike
(1.2 mi)
$0.09
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
$57
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.72 | $16.79 |
| Efficient EV | 87.4 | 0 | $30.60 | $13.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.9 | 1 | $48.96 | $22.38 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Evening in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
7h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Suffern, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 349.7 miles and takes about 7h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, I 86, Genesee Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174.9 miles from Suffern, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.93 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 19 significant decision points across 349.7 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Suffern, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
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