Origin
Wawarsing, NY
Late night in Wawarsing on Thursday
Local time
12:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wawarsing, NY to Buffalo, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
302.7 mi
487 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 9m
★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wawarsing, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
This 302.7-mile journey from Wawarsing, NY, to Buffalo, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 78% of it on major roads like I-86 and NY-17, also known as the Genesee Expressway. With a projected fuel cost of about $50, it's an economical option for covering ground across New York State. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the trip, making it manageable for a single day of travel. This drive is a straightforward way to get from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast.
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
151.4 miles from Wawarsing, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 302.7-mile trip, with 78% of the route utilizing major expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 100 miles along I-86, allowing for steady progress. This means you'll be spending most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, which contributes to the efficient 6-hour and 21-minute estimated duration. While the Genesee Expressway offers a consistent pace, be aware that the highway nature means fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration compared to more rural routes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 237.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 302.7 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 237.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
237.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
8
296.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m 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
302.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m 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
7
302.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 20m in
|
NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Turn left onto NY 384 / Delaware Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
302.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
|
NY 384 / Niagara Square
Enter roundabout onto NY 384 / Niagara Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wawarsing, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
Letchworth Park
237.3 mi in
|
~4h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| NY 17 | 81.1 mi | 1h 41m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| Aurora Expressway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Canal Street | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Big Tree Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Leicester Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wawarsing, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on US 209; NY 55
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 209
2
Continue on US 209
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 52
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Canal Street
4
Continue on NY 42; NY 52
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 42
5
Turn slight right onto NY 52
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on NY 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 52
7
Continue on NY 52
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Old Monticello Road
8
Continue on NY 52
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 52
9
Take the exit
282 ft
·
8 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
10
Merge onto Triangle Road
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Triangle Road
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
12
Merge onto NY 17
81 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
NY 17
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
16
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
17
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
18
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
19
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
20
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Leicester Road
21
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East Buffalo Street
22
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
23
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
24
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
26
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
28
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
29
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
Use the slight right lane.
32
Continue on NY 5
521 ft
·
21 sec
·
Church Street
33
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Niagara Square
35
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 21-minute drive, it's best to get an early start from Wawarsing to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch without exits is about 100 miles on I-86. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so be prepared for that expense. Given the manageable distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, breaking it up is always an option. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly if traveling during adverse weather, as highway speeds can be unforgiving.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.4 miles from Wawarsing, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 67 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.4 miles or 3h 4m 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 3m
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 Wawarsing, 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 Wawarsing, NY
This is one driving day of about 302.7 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Wawarsing, 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 I 86 for about 100 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.4 mi from Wawarsing, NY · 3h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.4 miles from Wawarsing, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 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
$49.83 one way
$99.65 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $53.88 | $107.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $58.67 | $117.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.83 | $133.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.31
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
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.78 | $14.53 |
| Efficient EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.49 | $12.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.1 | 1 | $42.38 | $19.37 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Late night in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
12:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Sidney, NY
151 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
13 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
6h 21m 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 Wawarsing, NY to Buffalo, NY covers 302.7 miles and takes about 6h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, NY 17, 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 151.4 miles from Wawarsing, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.83 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 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 302.7 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 237.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Wawarsing, NY to Buffalo, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
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