How far is Waterford, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Waterford, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 295.2 miles (475 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.3 miles (423.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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 44m.
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.
Census-designated place in Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Division Street
31 m · 7 sec · Division Street
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
157 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Broad Street
595 ft · 17 sec · Broad Street
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4
Continue on 9th Street
787 ft · 22 sec · 9th Street
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5
Continue on Saratoga Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Saratoga Avenue
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6
Continue on Saratoga Street
1802 ft · 53 sec · Saratoga Street
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7
Turn left onto Cohoes Boulevard
2 mi · 4 min · Cohoes Boulevard
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8
Take the exit slight right toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
1716 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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10
Keep slight left
1342 ft · 21 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
5 mi · 7 min · Adirondack Northway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
1694 ft · 32 sec
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13
Continue on I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
2619 ft · 51 sec
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14
Keep slight left
273.2 mi · 5 hr 16 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
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18
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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19
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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20
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
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21
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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22
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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23
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Buffalo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 87 South
Keep slight left
273 mi · 05h 16m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waterford 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 Waterford to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 295.2 miles (475 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Mattydale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.3 miles from Waterford and 147.8 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.3 miles (423.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.77 one way or $83.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waterford and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Mattydale
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 Mattydale.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 263.34 mi (423.81 km).
#1 Waterford
Town in Saratoga County, New York, United States
| Population | 8,421 |
| Coordinates | 42.7925800, -73.6812300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $41.77 | $83.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $46.69 | $93.38 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $50.65 | $101.30 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $48.91 | $97.82 |
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.