How far is Ithaca, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Ithaca, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 153.4 miles (246.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.9 miles (201 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 45m.
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 Monroe County, New York, United States
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 Ithaca and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca and Buffalo.
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1
Start on East Seneca Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Seneca Street
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2
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
103 m · 15 sec · Taughannock Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto West Buffalo Street
871 ft · 21 sec · West Buffalo Street
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4
Continue on Cliff Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Cliff Street
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5
Continue on Trumansburg Road
8.7 mi · 13 min · Trumansburg Road
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6
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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7
Continue on Trumansburg Road
704 ft · 12 sec · Trumansburg Road
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8
Continue on State Highway 96
4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 96
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9
Turn right onto Powell Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Powell Road
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10
Continue on County Road 141
1.4 km · 1 min · County Road 141
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11
Turn left onto State Highway 89
10.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 89
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12
Turn left onto Ernsberger Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Ernsberger Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ovid Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ovid Street
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14
Turn left onto Townline Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Townline Road
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15
Turn right onto State Highway 96
6.2 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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16
Continue on Fayette Street
1281 ft · 37 sec · Fayette Street
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17
Turn right onto West River Street
108 m · 16 sec · West River Street
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18
Turn left onto Washington Street
1639 ft · 28 sec · Washington Street
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19
Continue on South Virginia Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Virginia Street
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20
Turn left onto North Road
906 ft · 15 sec · North Road
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21
Continue on State Highway 96
6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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22
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
1447 ft · 40 sec
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23
Merge slight left
942 ft · 20 sec
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24
Take the exit left
773 ft · 19 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
2379 ft · 58 sec
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26
Continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
1219 ft · 30 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
93.7 mi · 1 hr 49 min · New York State Thruway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
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31
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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32
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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33
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
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34
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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35
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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36
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ithaca and Buffalo.
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
93.7 mi · 01h 49m
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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 153.4 miles (246.8 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Mendon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.2 miles from Ithaca and 77.2 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.9 miles (201 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.69 one way or $43.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Ithaca and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Mendon
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 Mendon.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Buffalo–Depew station
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ithaca and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 124.86 mi (200.95 km).
#1 Ithaca
City in New York, USA
| Population | 30,981 |
| Coordinates | 42.4406300, -76.4966100 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| 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: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $21.69 | $43.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $25.39 | $50.79 |
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.