How far is Nelson, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Nelson, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157 miles (252.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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 56m.
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.
Village in Ontario County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nelson and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nelson and Buffalo.
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1
Start on US 20
3.8 mi · 6 min · US 20
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2
Continue on Albany Street
2927 ft · 2 min · Albany Street
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3
Turn left onto Forman Street
901 ft · 28 sec · Forman Street
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4
Turn right onto Ledyard Avenue
1 km · 60 sec · Ledyard Avenue
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Syracuse Road
556 ft · 9 sec · Syracuse Road
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6
Merge slight left onto Syracuse Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Syracuse Road
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7
Continue on Cazenovia Road
4 mi · 6 min · Cazenovia Road
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8
Continue on Washington Street
2044 ft · 1 min · Washington Street
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9
Continue on East Seneca Street
822 ft · 26 sec · East Seneca Street
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10
Turn right onto Fayette Street
2202 ft · 1 min · Fayette Street
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11
Continue on Highbridge Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Highbridge Road
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12
Continue on East Genesee Street
3138 ft · 1 min · East Genesee Street
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 481 North: Syracuse
1963 ft · 48 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 690 West: Syracuse
1.3 km · 1 min
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16
Continue straight
13.1 mi · 17 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 90
105 m · 8 sec
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18
Continue on I 90
1198 ft · 29 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 90
1733 ft · 42 sec
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20
Continue straight
758 ft · 19 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
985 ft · 24 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
131.5 mi · 2 hr 32 min · New York State Thruway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
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26
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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27
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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28
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
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29
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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30
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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31
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nelson 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
131 mi · 02h 32m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Nelson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nelson to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Manchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Nelson and 86.7 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157 miles (252.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.49 one way or $48.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Nelson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Manchester
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 Manchester.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nelson and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 156.98 mi (252.64 km).
#1 Nelson
Town in Madison County, New York, United States of America
| Population | 1,940 |
| Coordinates | 42.9172900, -75.7768500 |
| Altitude | 438 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $24.49 | $48.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $29.70 | $59.40 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.