How far is Potsdam, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Potsdam, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 284.3 miles (457.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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 04h 42m.
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, United States
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 Potsdam and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potsdam and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Elm Street
1445 ft · 54 sec · Elm Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Market Street
128 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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3
Turn right onto Maple Street
2058 ft · 1 min · Maple Street
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4
Turn slight right onto Clarkson Avenue
45 m · 10 sec · Clarkson Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Sandstone Drive
575 ft · 16 sec · Sandstone Drive
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6
Continue on Maple Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · Maple Street
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7
Turn left onto Gouverneur Street
24.7 mi · 28 min · Gouverneur Street
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8
Continue on Preston Street
27 mi · 31 min · Preston Street
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 781 West
1362 ft · 33 sec
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10
Continue straight
4 mi · 4 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Watertown
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
64.7 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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13
Keep slight right
2721 ft · 33 sec
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14
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
2487 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
803 ft · 20 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
138.1 mi · 2 hr 40 min · New York State Thruway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
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21
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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22
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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23
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
-
24
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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25
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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26
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potsdam 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
138 mi · 02h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Potsdam 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 Potsdam to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 284.3 miles (457.5 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Liverpool is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.8 miles from Potsdam and 142.5 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230.2 miles (370.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.1 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 7:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.21 one way or $80.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Potsdam and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Liverpool
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Liverpool.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potsdam and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 230.13 mi (370.36 km).
#1 Potsdam
Village in New York
| Population | 8,796 |
| Coordinates | 44.6697800, -74.9813100 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| 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: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $44.94 | $89.89 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.76 | $97.51 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $47.08 | $94.16 |
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.