How far is Buffalo, NY from Sterling, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Sterling, NY is about 134.6 miles (216.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.7 miles (187.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Monroe County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Sterling.
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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
42.8 mi · 50 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 490, NY 19: LeRoy, Rochester
1 km · 1 min
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12
Continue on Western Expressway
18.7 mi · 22 min · Western Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward NY 390 North: Greece
1.2 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight right onto Outer Loop
2.8 mi · 4 min · Outer Loop
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NY 104 East: Ridge Road East
1288 ft · 34 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto West Ridge Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · West Ridge Road
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17
Continue on Veterans Memorial Bridge
1030 ft · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Bridge
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18
Continue on Keeler Street Expressway
52.5 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Keeler Street Expressway
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19
Turn slight left onto State Highway 38
4.4 mi · 8 min · State Highway 38
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20
Turn straight onto State Highway 104A
2516 ft · 50 sec · State Highway 104A
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Highway 104A
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Keeler Street Expressway
Continue on Keeler Street Expressway
52.5 mi · 01h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Sterling?
The road trip is about 134.6 miles (216.6 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
North Gates is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.2 miles from Buffalo and 67.4 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.7 miles (187.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.04 one way or $38.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near North Gates
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 North Gates.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Buffalo–Depew station
Buffalo–Exchange Street
Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 116.68 mi (187.78 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 Sterling
Town in Cayuga County, New York, United States
| Population | 3,023 |
| Coordinates | 43.3259000, -76.6449500 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-76.64495, 43.3259)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $19.04 | $38.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $21.28 | $42.57 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $23.09 | $46.18 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $22.30 | $44.59 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.