How far is Buffalo, NY from Potsdam, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Potsdam, NY is about 285.2 miles (459 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 21m 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 40m.
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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Potsdam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Potsdam.
-
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
-
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
138.6 mi · 2 hr 41 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
152 m · 14 sec
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12
Continue on I 81: Watertown, Binghamton
3052 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn straight onto I 81 North: Syracuse Airport, Watertown
3027 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
69.5 mi · 1 hr 20 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 781 East: Fort Drum
1459 ft · 28 sec
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16
Continue straight
4 mi · 5 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 11: Gouverneur, Canton
1337 ft · 28 sec
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18
Keep slight left
115 m · 12 sec
-
19
Merge slight right
51.7 mi · 1 hr
-
20
Turn right onto Main Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · Main Street
-
21
Turn slight right onto Maple Street
2528 ft · 1 min · Maple Street
-
22
Continue on Main Street
529 ft · 20 sec · Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto Union Street
130 m · 16 sec · Union Street
-
24
Turn right onto Elm Street
942 ft · 31 sec · Elm Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Potsdam.
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
139 mi · 02h 41m
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 Mostly Sunny near Potsdam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Potsdam?
The road trip is about 285.2 miles (459 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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 142.4 miles from Buffalo and 142.8 miles from Potsdam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 55 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 5:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.33 one way or $80.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Potsdam.
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 Potsdam. Straight-line distance: 230.13 mi (370.36 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 Potsdam
Village in New York
| Population | 8,796 |
| Coordinates | 44.6697800, -74.9813100 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Potsdam (-74.98131, 44.66978)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 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 | $40.33 | $80.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $45.08 | $90.16 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.90 | $97.80 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $47.22 | $94.44 |
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.