How far is Niagara Falls, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Niagara Falls, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17 miles (27.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m 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 25m.
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 New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Pine Avenue
80 m · 11 sec · Pine Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
2164 ft · 2 min · 6th Street
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3
Turn left onto Niagara Street
696 ft · 21 sec · Niagara Street
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4
Turn right onto John B. Daly Boulevard
2873 ft · 42 sec · John B. Daly Boulevard
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Niagara Scenic Parkway
49 m · 9 sec · Niagara Scenic Parkway
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Niagara Scenic Parkway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Niagara Scenic Parkway
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7
Take the exit straight toward I 190, NY 384: Buffalo, Lewiston
160 m · 14 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 190 South: Buffalo
1041 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto North Grand Island Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min · North Grand Island Bridge
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10
Continue on Niagara Thruway
14.3 mi · 19 min · Niagara Thruway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 266: Niagara Street
2587 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn right onto Niagara Street
2739 ft · 1 min · Niagara Street
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13
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
33 m · 3 sec · Niagara Square
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Niagara Falls 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.
Niagara Thruway
Continue on Niagara Thruway
14.3 mi · 00h 19m
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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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?
Grand Island is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.2 miles from Niagara Falls and 10.3 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17 miles (27.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.89 one way or $5.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Niagara Falls and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Island
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 Grand Island.
Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center
Buffalo–Exchange Street
Buffalo–Depew station
Dunkirk, New York
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 16.97 mi (27.31 km).
#1 Niagara Falls
A city in Niagara County, New York.
| Population | 47,392 |
| Coordinates | 43.0945000, -79.0567100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| 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: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $2.89 | $5.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $3.23 | $6.45 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $3.38 | $6.76 |
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.