How far is Buffalo, NY from Cortland, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Cortland, NY is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.3 miles (222.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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 03h 32m.
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 Ontario County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Cortland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Cortland.
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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
100.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
2420 ft · 59 sec
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12
Keep slight right
100 m · 8 sec
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13
Continue on State Route 414
1557 ft · 35 sec · State Route 414
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14
Turn left
4.1 mi · 7 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Auburn Road
1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
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16
Continue on Clark Street Road
9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
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17
Turn right onto State Street
69 m · 12 sec · State Street
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18
Turn left onto Dill Street
720 ft · 22 sec · Dill Street
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19
Continue on Loop Road
140 m · 17 sec · Loop Road
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20
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi · 10 min · Genesee Street
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21
Continue on West Genesee Street Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · West Genesee Street Road
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22
Turn right onto East Lake Street
2676 ft · 45 sec · East Lake Street
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23
Continue on East Lake Road
9.4 mi · 14 min · East Lake Road
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24
Continue on State Route 41
4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
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25
Continue on East Lake Road
2904 ft · 49 sec · East Lake Road
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26
Continue on State Highway 41
9.8 mi · 14 min · State Highway 41
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27
Turn right onto North West Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North West Street
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28
Continue on West Homer Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Homer Road
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29
Turn left onto Fisher Avenue
2640 ft · 1 min · Fisher Avenue
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30
Turn right onto South Main Street
999 ft · 24 sec · South Main Street
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31
Continue on Homer Avenue
1815 ft · 54 sec · Homer Avenue
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32
Turn left onto North Main Street
1597 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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33
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
1892 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Cortland.
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
101 mi · 01h 57m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buffalo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Cortland?
The road trip is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Buffalo and 81.3 miles from Cortland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.3 miles (222.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buffalo and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortland.
Stop Ideas Near Victor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Victor.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Buffalo–Depew station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Cortland. Straight-line distance: 138.3 mi (222.57 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 Cortland
City in New York, USA
| Population | 18,455 |
| Coordinates | 42.6011800, -76.1804800 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortland (-76.18048, 42.60118)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $25.63 | $51.26 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $27.80 | $55.61 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $26.85 | $53.70 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.