How far is Watertown, NY from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance from Watertown, NY to Buffalo, NY is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.8 miles (268.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 03h 25m.
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.
City in Seneca County, New York, United States of America
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 Watertown and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Public Square
8 m · 5 sec · Public Square
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto State Highway 232
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 232
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4
Continue on County Road 62
667 ft · 17 sec · County Road 62
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5
Turn left onto Cady Road
1076 ft · 24 sec · Cady Road
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 81 South
1055 ft · 26 sec
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7
Merge slight left
54.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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8
Keep slight right
2721 ft · 33 sec
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9
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Albany, Buffalo
2487 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
803 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
138.1 mi · 2 hr 40 min · New York State Thruway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NY 33 West: Buffalo
1901 ft · 46 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Kensington Expressway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Kensington Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Oak Street
2170 ft · 40 sec
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16
Continue on Oak Street
131 m · 14 sec · Oak Street
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17
Turn right onto Genesee Street
1172 ft · 39 sec · Genesee Street
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18
Turn right onto East Huron Street
729 ft · 34 sec · East Huron Street
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19
Turn left onto Franklin Street
716 ft · 23 sec · Franklin Street
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20
Turn right onto Genesee Street
123 m · 12 sec · Genesee Street
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21
Enter the roundabout toward Niagara Square
119 m · 12 sec · Niagara Square
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niagara Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown 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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Watertown 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 Watertown to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Waterloo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.9 miles from Watertown and 107 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.8 miles (268.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 10:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.11 one way or $60.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Watertown and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Waterloo
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 Waterloo.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Rome station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 166.8 mi (268.44 km).
#1 Watertown
Town in Jefferson County, New York
| Population | 4,426 |
| Coordinates | 43.9747800, -75.9107600 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 343 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $30.11 | $60.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $33.65 | $67.30 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $36.51 | $73.01 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $35.25 | $70.50 |
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.