How far is Lake George, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Lake George, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 312.7 miles (503.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263 miles (423.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 17m 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 05h 08m.
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.
Village in Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake George and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake George and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Lower Amherst Street
7 m · 8 sec · Lower Amherst Street
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2
Turn left onto Canada Street
1 km · 2 min · Canada Street
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3
Continue on State Route 9
1.4 km · 2 min · State Route 9
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4
Turn right
1751 ft · 27 sec
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1358 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
28 mi · 32 min · Adirondack Northway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
1714 ft · 37 sec
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8
Turn straight onto US 9
115 m · 12 sec · US 9
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9
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi · 2 min · US 9
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10
Turn right onto Malta Avenue
3.5 mi · 6 min · Malta Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Milton Avenue
100 m · 13 sec · Milton Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Front Street
1466 ft · 42 sec · Front Street
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Charlton Street
907 ft · 25 sec · Charlton Street
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14
Turn right onto West High Street
1358 ft · 35 sec · West High Street
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15
Continue on Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi · 17 min · Amsterdam Road
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16
Continue on State Highway 67
4.5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 67
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17
Continue on Church Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · Church Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 67
875 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 67
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19
Continue on Market Street
560 ft · 19 sec · Market Street
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20
Turn left onto Pearl Street
656 ft · 23 sec · Pearl Street
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21
Continue on East Main Street
116 m · 11 sec · East Main Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 30
1.5 km · 2 min · State Highway 30
-
23
Turn left
121 m · 12 sec
-
24
Continue straight
525 ft · 14 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West
2189 ft · 1 min
-
26
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
247.2 mi · 4 hr 46 min · New York State Thruway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
-
30
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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31
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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32
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
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33
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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34
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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35
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake George and Buffalo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
247 mi · 04h 46m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lake George 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 Lake George to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 312.7 miles (503.3 km) and usually takes 05h 08m 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?
Minoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.4 miles from Lake George and 157.3 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263 miles (423.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.7 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 6:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.26 one way or $88.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lake George and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Minoa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Town hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Minoa.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake George and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 263 mi (423.25 km).
#1 Lake George
Town in Warren County, New York, United States
| Population | 3,401 |
| Coordinates | 43.4261800, -73.7123400 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| 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: 503 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $44.26 | $88.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $49.47 | $98.94 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $53.67 | $107.33 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $51.82 | $103.64 |
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.