How far is Elmira, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Elmira, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 144.2 miles (232 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119 miles (191.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 36m.
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.
City in Livingston County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmira and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmira and Buffalo.
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1
Start on West Church Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · West Church Street
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2
Turn right onto West Water Street
5.9 mi · 9 min · West Water Street
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3
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Corning Road
1372 ft · 23 sec · East Corning Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1422 ft · 35 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway
31.2 mi · 36 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi · 38 min · Genesee Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
1030 ft · 23 sec
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9
Turn left onto Sonyea Road
4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
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10
Continue on Main Street
1.8 mi · 5 min · Main Street
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11
Continue on Mount Morris Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Mount Morris Road
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12
Turn left onto Perry Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
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13
Continue on Leicester Road
7.4 mi · 11 min · Leicester Road
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14
Continue on East Buffalo Street
4.6 mi · 9 min · East Buffalo Street
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15
Continue on West Buffalo Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
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16
Continue on Varysburg Road
10.9 mi · 16 min · Varysburg Road
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17
Continue on Big Tree Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · Big Tree Road
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18
Take the ramp slight right
1249 ft · 30 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Aurora Expressway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Buffalo
1283 ft · 27 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
1.3 mi · 2 min · New York State Thruway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
2943 ft · 1 min
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23
Continue on Niagara Thruway
4.9 mi · 7 min · Niagara Thruway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
1258 ft · 34 sec
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25
Continue on Church Street
159 m · 22 sec · Church Street
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26
Turn left onto Delaware Avenue
837 ft · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
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27
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
893 ft · 30 sec · Niagara Square
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmira and Buffalo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Genesee Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Elmira and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elmira to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 144.2 miles (232 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
West Sparta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Elmira and 73.6 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119 miles (191.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 1:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.41 one way or $40.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Elmira and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near West Sparta
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 West Sparta.
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 Elmira and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 118.99 mi (191.5 km).
#1 Elmira
City in Chemung County, New York, USA
| Population | 27,045 |
| Coordinates | 42.0898000, -76.8077300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buffalo
The second most populous city in New York.
| Population | 254,479 |
| Coordinates | 42.8864500, -78.8783700 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Niagara Square (-78.878786, 42.886515)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $20.41 | $40.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $22.81 | $45.62 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $24.74 | $49.48 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
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.