How far is Buffalo, NY from Rochester, NY?

The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Rochester, NY is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
74.18 mi
01h 32m
Flight
66.43 mi
106.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buffalo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
66.43 mi
Kilometers
106.91 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.18 mi
Kilometers
119.38 km
Drive Time
01h 32m

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 01h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester
Thu, Apr 23, 12:12 AM EDT
Return by in Buffalo
Thu, Apr 23, 1:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buffalo
2026-04-22T22:39
Arrive Rochester
Thu, Apr 23, 12:12 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:26 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buffalo
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Batavia
NY

Town in New York

From Buffalo
37 mi
00h 46m
To Rochester
37.2 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Rochester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Rochester.

  1. 1

    Start on Niagara Square

    562 ft · 19 sec · Niagara Square

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Court Street

    809 ft · 27 sec · Court Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Lafayette Square

    114 m · 18 sec · Lafayette Square

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    1309 ft · 45 sec · Washington Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Genesee Street

    1429 ft · 49 sec · Genesee Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Elm Street

    80 m · 8 sec · Elm Street

  7. 7

    Take the exit straight toward NY 33 East

    972 ft · 15 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Kensington Expressway

    6.8 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany

    1644 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

    42.8 mi · 50 min · New York State Thruway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 490, NY 19: LeRoy, Rochester

    1 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Western Expressway

    22 mi · 27 min · Western Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward Inner Loop East: Downtown, Plymouth Avenue

    1297 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Downtown, Plymouth Avenue

    857 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Plymouth Avenue

    849 ft · 28 sec · North Plymouth Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Plymouth Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Rochester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New York State Thruway
42.8 mi · 58%
Western Expressway
22 mi · 30%
Kensington Expressway
6.81 mi · 9%
I 490
0.63 mi · 1%
I 90 East
0.31 mi
Genesee Street
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

New York State Thruway

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

42.8 mi · 00h 50m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.8 mi
66.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Batavia
00h 46m from Buffalo
Leave By
3:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Rochester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Rochester?

The road trip is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km) and usually takes 01h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Batavia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37 miles from Buffalo and 37.2 miles from Rochester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.50 one way or $21.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.3 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 Mostly Sunny near Rochester.

Stop Ideas Near Batavia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Batavia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Batavia.

RAIL

Buffalo–Depew station

45 mi away
55 Dick Road
RAIL

Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station

50 mi away
320 Central Avenue
RAIL

Buffalo–Exchange Street

58 mi away
75 Exchange Street
RAIL

Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center

70 mi away
27th St. and Lockport Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 66.43 mi (106.91 km).

Buffalo

#1 Buffalo

The second most populous city in New York.

Population254,479
Coordinates42.8864500, -78.8783700
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Rochester

#2 Rochester

County seat of Monroe County, New York, United States

Population7,202
Coordinates43.1547800, -77.6155600
Altitude154
CountryUnited States
Start: Buffalo (-78.87837, 42.88645)
End: Rochester (-77.61556, 43.15478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.62 gal
9.91 L · about $10.50
Round trip
$21.01
5.24 gal · 19.82 L
Estimated CO2
23.3 kg one way
Round trip: 46.6 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $10.50 $21.01
Mid-grade $4.48 $11.74 $23.48
Premium $4.86 $12.74 $25.47
Diesel $4.69 $12.30 $24.60

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

There is no time difference between Buffalo and Rochester. The current time is 22:39:39.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.