How far is Buffalo, NY from Colonie, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Colonie, NY is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 11m 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 35m.
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.
Village in Onondaga County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Colonie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Colonie.
-
1
Start on Niagara Square
562 ft · 19 sec · Niagara Square
-
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
-
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
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
1644 ft · 46 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
272.5 mi · 5 hr 15 min · New York State Thruway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
12
Keep slight right
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward NY 5 West: Schenectady
1522 ft · 52 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto Central Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Colonie.
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
273 mi · 05h 15m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Colonie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Colonie?
The road trip is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km) and usually takes 05h 35m 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?
Liverpool is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142 miles from Buffalo and 142.7 miles from Colonie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 5:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.29 one way or $80.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Colonie.
Stop Ideas Near Liverpool
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 Liverpool.
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 Colonie. Straight-line distance: 255.97 mi (411.95 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 Colonie
Town in Albany County, New York, United States
| Population | 7,564 |
| Coordinates | 42.7178600, -73.8334600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colonie (-73.83346, 42.71786)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 458 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $40.29 | $80.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $45.03 | $90.07 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.85 | $97.71 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $47.17 | $94.35 |
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.