How far is Buffalo, NY from Nelson, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Nelson, NY is about 169.8 miles (273.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157 miles (252.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m 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 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Nelson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Nelson.
-
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
-
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
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Genesee Street Road
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22
Continue on Cherry Valley Turnpike
21.8 mi · 28 min · Cherry Valley Turnpike
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23
Continue on Route 20
10 mi · 15 min · Route 20
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24
Turn right onto Albany Street
2927 ft · 1 min · Albany Street
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25
Continue on Nelson Street
3.8 mi · 6 min · Nelson Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · US 20
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Nelson.
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 Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Nelson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Nelson?
The road trip is about 169.8 miles (273.2 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.7 miles from Buffalo and 85.1 miles from Nelson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157 miles (252.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.01 one way or $48.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buffalo and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Nelson.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
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 Nelson. Straight-line distance: 156.98 mi (252.64 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 Nelson
Town in Madison County, New York, United States of America
| Population | 1,940 |
| Coordinates | 42.9172900, -75.7768500 |
| Altitude | 438 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nelson (-75.77685, 42.91729)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $24.01 | $48.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $26.84 | $53.68 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $29.12 | $58.23 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $28.12 | $56.23 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.