How far is Buffalo, NY from Cairo, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Cairo, NY is about 294.5 miles (473.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.5 miles (404.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 04m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Cairo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Cairo.
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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
227.2 mi · 4 hr 23 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 10: Canajoharie, Sharon Springs
2504 ft · 1 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
1236 ft · 27 sec · East Main Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 5S
2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 5S
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14
Keep slight right
15.1 mi · 21 min
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15
Turn left onto Junction Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Junction Road
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16
Continue on Zicha Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zicha Road
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17
Continue on State Highway 30A
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 30A
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18
Continue on North Main Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
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19
Continue on State Highway 30
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 30
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20
Continue on River Street
3253 ft · 58 sec · River Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 145
27.6 mi · 40 min · State Highway 145
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23
Turn straight onto State Highway 23
2180 ft · 36 sec · State Highway 23
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24
Turn right onto County Road 85
541 ft · 16 sec · County Road 85
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25
Turn left
72 m · 7 sec
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26
Continue on Jerome Avenue
1715 ft · 47 sec · Jerome Avenue
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27
Turn slight left onto Main Street
1396 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Cairo.
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
227 mi · 04h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Cairo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Cairo?
The road trip is about 294.5 miles (473.9 km) and usually takes 06h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mattydale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147 miles from Buffalo and 147.5 miles from Cairo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.5 miles (404.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.65 one way or $83.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Cairo.
Stop Ideas Near Mattydale
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 Mattydale.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Cairo. Straight-line distance: 251.48 mi (404.71 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 Cairo
Town in Greene County, New York, United States
| Population | 6,420 |
| Coordinates | 42.2989700, -73.9984700 |
| Altitude | 114 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cairo (-73.99847, 42.29897)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $41.65 | $83.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $46.56 | $93.12 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $50.51 | $101.01 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $48.77 | $97.54 |
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.