How far is Buffalo, NY from Ballston Spa, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Ballston Spa, NY is about 276.8 miles (445.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.5 miles (409.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Ballston Spa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Ballston Spa.
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1
Start on Niagara Square
562 ft · 19 sec · Niagara Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Court Street
809 ft · 27 sec · Court Street
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3
Continue on Lafayette Square
114 m · 18 sec · Lafayette Square
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4
Turn left onto Washington Street
1309 ft · 45 sec · Washington Street
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5
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1429 ft · 49 sec · Genesee Street
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6
Turn left onto Elm Street
80 m · 8 sec · Elm Street
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7
Take the exit straight toward NY 33 East
972 ft · 15 sec
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8
Continue on Kensington Expressway
6.8 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
1644 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
247.6 mi · 4 hr 46 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 30: Amsterdam
1.2 km · 2 min
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12
Continue straight
112 m · 13 sec
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13
Turn right
1.6 km · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Church Street
1.5 mi · 5 min · Church Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 67
4.5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 67
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16
Continue on Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi · 17 min · Amsterdam Road
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17
Continue on West High Street
1 km · 1 min · West High Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Ballston Spa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
248 mi · 04h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Ballston Spa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Ballston Spa?
The road trip is about 276.8 miles (445.5 km) and usually takes 05h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Van Buren is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.1 miles from Buffalo and 138.8 miles from Ballston Spa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.5 miles (409.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.17 one way or $78.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Ballston Spa.
Stop Ideas Near Van Buren
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Buren.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Ballston Spa. Straight-line distance: 254.46 mi (409.51 km).
#1 Buffalo
The second most populous city in New York.
| Population | 254,479 |
| Coordinates | 42.8864500, -78.8783700 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ballston Spa
City in Saratoga County, New York, United States of America
| Population | 5,189 |
| Coordinates | 43.0009100, -73.8490100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ballston Spa (-73.84901, 43.00091)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 446 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $43.78 | $87.56 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $47.49 | $94.98 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $45.86 | $91.72 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.