How far is Lancaster, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Lancaster, NY to Amherst, NY is about 11.8 miles (19 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.5 miles (13.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 19m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Erie County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Amherst.
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1
Start on the route
6 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn left
14 m · 5 sec
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3
Turn right onto Central Avenue
816 ft · 24 sec · Central Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · Central Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Pleasant View Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Pleasant View Drive
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7
Turn right onto Transit Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Transit Road
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8
Take the exit left
1096 ft · 27 sec
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9
Continue straight
978 ft · 24 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
2996 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
2.5 mi · 3 min · New York State Thruway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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13
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
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15
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
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16
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster and Amherst.
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.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
2.51 mi · 00h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lancaster and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Amherst?
The road trip is about 11.8 miles (19 km) and usually takes 00h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Williamsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.5 miles from Lancaster and 6.3 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.5 miles (13.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.68 one way or $3.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lancaster and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Williamsville
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 Williamsville.
Buffalo–Depew station
Buffalo–Exchange Street
Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center
Dunkirk, New York
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 8.47 mi (13.63 km).
#1 Lancaster
Town in Erie County, New York
| Population | 10,064 |
| Coordinates | 42.9006100, -78.6703100 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in New York, United States
| Population | 120,809 |
| Coordinates | 42.9783900, -78.7997600 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Millersport Highway (-78.799874, 42.978447)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 19 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $1.68 | $3.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $1.88 | $3.76 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $2.04 | $4.08 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $1.97 | $3.94 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.