How far is Buffalo, NY from Ithaca, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Ithaca, NY is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.9 miles (201 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m 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 21m.
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 Monroe 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 Ithaca.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Ithaca.
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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
94.2 mi · 1 hr 49 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
2581 ft · 50 sec
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12
Keep slight right
65 m · 5 sec
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13
Merge slight left
1826 ft · 28 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Waterloo
1306 ft · 36 sec
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15
Turn straight onto State Highway 96
6.2 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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16
Continue on North Road
906 ft · 17 sec · North Road
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17
Turn right onto North Virginia Street
1.4 km · 1 min · North Virginia Street
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18
Continue on Washington Street
1558 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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19
Turn right onto West River Street
106 m · 17 sec · West River Street
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20
Turn left onto Fayette Street
1363 ft · 39 sec · Fayette Street
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21
Continue on State Highway 96
6.2 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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22
Turn left onto Townline Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Townline Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ovid Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ovid Street
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24
Turn left onto Ernsberger Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Ernsberger Road
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 89
10.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 89
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26
Turn right onto County Road 141
1.4 km · 1 min · County Road 141
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27
Continue on Powell Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Powell Road
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28
Turn left onto State Highway 96
4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 96
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29
Continue on Trumansburg Road
704 ft · 12 sec · Trumansburg Road
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30
Continue on West Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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31
Continue on Trumansburg Road
8.7 mi · 13 min · Trumansburg Road
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32
Continue on Cliff Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Cliff Street
-
33
Continue on West Buffalo Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Buffalo Street
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34
Turn right onto Parker Street
101 m · 17 sec · Parker Street
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35
Turn right onto East Seneca Street
648 ft · 22 sec · East Seneca Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Seneca Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Ithaca.
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
94.2 mi · 01h 49m
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 Ithaca.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Ithaca?
The road trip is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Mendon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Buffalo and 76.9 miles from Ithaca.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.9 miles (201 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.7 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 10:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.73 one way or $43.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 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 Ithaca.
Stop Ideas Near Mendon
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 Mendon.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Buffalo–Depew station
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Ithaca. Straight-line distance: 124.86 mi (200.95 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 Ithaca
City in New York, USA
| Population | 30,981 |
| Coordinates | 42.4406300, -76.4966100 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ithaca (-76.49661, 42.44063)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $24.29 | $48.57 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $26.35 | $52.69 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $25.44 | $50.88 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.