How far is Independence, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Independence, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 97.7 miles (157.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.5 miles (126.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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.
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 02m.
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.
Town in Cattaraugus County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Independence Road
4.6 mi · 11 min · Independence Road
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2
Turn left onto State Highway 417
920 ft · 15 sec · State Highway 417
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3
Continue on East Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Chestnut Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 417
2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 417
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5
Continue on Andover Road
4.4 mi · 7 min · Andover Road
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6
Continue on East Dyke Street
1462 ft · 25 sec · East Dyke Street
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7
Turn straight onto State Highway 417
1671 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 417
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8
Continue on Wellsville Bypass
1.5 mi · 2 min · Wellsville Bypass
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9
Continue on North Main Street
1023 ft · 17 sec · North Main Street
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10
Continue on Riverside Drive
8.2 mi · 12 min · Riverside Drive
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11
Turn left onto Schuyler Street
1781 ft · 30 sec · Schuyler Street
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12
Continue on Willets Avenue
9.1 mi · 14 min · Willets Avenue
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13
Continue on South Main Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · South Main Street
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14
Turn left
11 mi · 16 min
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15
Continue straight
9 mi · 14 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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17
Continue on State Route 39
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Route 39
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18
Turn right onto Olean Road
1128 ft · 19 sec · Olean Road
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19
Continue on State Highway 16
2999 ft · 56 sec · State Highway 16
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20
Continue on Olean Road
7.3 mi · 11 min · Olean Road
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21
Continue on South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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22
Continue on Olean Road
4.6 mi · 7 min · Olean Road
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Aurora Expressway
47 m · 2 sec · Aurora Expressway
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Aurora Expressway
16.8 mi · 20 min · Aurora Expressway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Buffalo
1283 ft · 27 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
1.3 mi · 2 min · New York State Thruway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
2943 ft · 1 min
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28
Continue on Niagara Thruway
4.9 mi · 7 min · Niagara Thruway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
1258 ft · 34 sec
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30
Continue on Church Street
159 m · 22 sec · Church Street
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31
Turn left onto Delaware Avenue
837 ft · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
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32
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
893 ft · 30 sec · Niagara Square
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Buffalo.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Aurora Expressway
Exit the roundabout onto Aurora Expressway
16.8 mi · 00h 20m
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 leaving Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 97.7 miles (157.3 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Freedom is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.8 miles from Independence and 48 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.5 miles (126.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 2:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.83 one way or $27.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Freedom
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 Freedom.
Buffalo–Depew station
Buffalo–Exchange Street
Dunkirk, New York
Fredonia, New York
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 78.53 mi (126.38 km).
#1 Independence
Town in Allegany County, New York, United States
| Population | 1,123 |
| Coordinates | 42.0881200, -77.7813800 |
| Altitude | 627 |
| 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: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $13.83 | $27.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $15.46 | $30.92 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $16.77 | $33.54 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $16.19 | $32.39 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.