How far is Washington Heights, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Washington Heights, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.5 miles (400 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Human settlement in Tioga County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington Heights and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights and Buffalo.
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1
Start on the route
26 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Route 17M
2807 ft · 47 sec · Route 17M
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3
Continue on North Street
1834 ft · 33 sec · North Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 17M
2830 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 17M
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5
Turn right onto Pine Bush Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Pine Bush Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Binghamton
1031 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left
114 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 86: Corning
100 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi · 38 min · Genesee Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
1030 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn left onto Sonyea Road
4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
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12
Continue on Main Street
1.8 mi · 5 min · Main Street
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13
Continue on Mount Morris Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Mount Morris Road
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14
Turn left onto Perry Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
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15
Continue on Leicester Road
7.4 mi · 11 min · Leicester Road
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16
Continue on East Buffalo Street
4.6 mi · 9 min · East Buffalo Street
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17
Continue on West Buffalo Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
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18
Continue on Varysburg Road
10.9 mi · 16 min · Varysburg Road
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19
Continue on Big Tree Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · Big Tree Road
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20
Take the ramp slight right
1249 ft · 30 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Aurora Expressway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Aurora Expressway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Buffalo
1283 ft · 27 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
1.3 mi · 2 min · New York State Thruway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls
2943 ft · 1 min
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25
Continue on Niagara Thruway
4.9 mi · 7 min · Niagara Thruway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street
1258 ft · 34 sec
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27
Continue on Church Street
159 m · 22 sec · Church Street
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28
Turn left onto Delaware Avenue
837 ft · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
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29
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
893 ft · 30 sec · Niagara Square
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington Heights and Buffalo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 86 West
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 22m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Washington Heights and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Washington Heights to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.1 miles from Washington Heights and 163 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.5 miles (400 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.6 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 6:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.30 one way or $90.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Washington Heights and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Snow Showers near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Waverly
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 Waverly.
Scranton, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington Heights and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 248.53 mi (399.97 km).
#1 Washington Heights
Neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City
| Population | 1,689 |
| Coordinates | 41.4700900, -74.4157100 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| 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: 515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $45.30 | $90.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $50.64 | $101.27 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $54.93 | $109.86 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $53.04 | $106.08 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.