How far is Buffalo, NY from Watertown, NY?
The driving distance from Buffalo, NY to Watertown, NY is about 213.4 miles (343.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.8 miles (268.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m 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 04h 14m.
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.
City in Seneca County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Watertown.
-
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
-
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
59.2 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward NY 232: Watertown Center
723 ft · 30 sec
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 232
1401 ft · 26 sec · State Highway 232
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17
Continue on State Highway 232
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 232
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18
At the end of the road, turn left
3.6 mi · 6 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street
13 m · 4 sec · Washington Street
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20
Turn left onto Public Square
22 m · 4 sec · Public Square
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Watertown.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers leaving Buffalo and Rain Showers Likely near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Watertown?
The road trip is about 213.4 miles (343.5 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Waterloo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.6 miles from Buffalo and 106.9 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.8 miles (268.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 8:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.19 one way or $60.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers around Buffalo and Rain Showers Likely near Watertown.
Stop Ideas Near Waterloo
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 Waterloo.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Rome station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 166.8 mi (268.44 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 Watertown
Town in Jefferson County, New York
| Population | 4,426 |
| Coordinates | 43.9747800, -75.9107600 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Watertown (-75.91076, 43.97478)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 343 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $30.19 | $60.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $33.74 | $67.48 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $36.60 | $73.21 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $35.35 | $70.69 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.