Erie, PA → Buffalo, NY
81 mi · 1h 36m (driving)
Current Risk
Low Risk
Clear conditions along your route
Erie
59°
Buffalo
61°
Trip Briefing
1 segment · 81 mi · 1h 37m
Weather
🌤️ Mainly clear
59°F, wind 11 mph
Rest Stops
8
Truck svc, Restrooms, WiFi
Cameras
12 live
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● Pilot Travel Center
- ● TA
- ● Rest Area 🚻
Normal Traffic
16 construction zones along route — no other incidents
16 Construction Zones on Route
US 20: Road construction between NY 249 and NY 75
Erie, NY
US 20: Road construction between NY 249 and NY 75
Erie, NY
I-90 (NYS Thruway): Road construction between Exit 60 (15 miles west of the Dunkirk area) and US 62
Erie, NY
952J (Armor Duells Rd): Road construction between the start of 952J (Armor Duells Rd) and US 219
Erie, NY
NY 240: Road construction between NY 39 and US 20A
Erie, NY
I-90 (NYS Thruway): Road construction between 951E (1 mile west of the Lackawanna area) and US 219
Erie, NY
+ 10 more zones along the route — see map for full list
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
Choose your route:
Selected Route
Via PA-5 East → PA-290 → I-90 East → I-190 North (Niagara Thruway)
Cameras shown are along this computed route
Need a custom route?
I-90 near Clark Rd Overpass Erie Co
PA ·
I-90 @ EXIT 37 (I-86E )
PA · EB
I-90 MP 467.74 EB at Interchange 59 (Dunkirk)
NY · EB
I-90 MP 455.50 EB at Interchange 58 (Silver Creek)
NY · EB
I-90 MP 455.50 West Bound Ramp to Interchange 58
NY ·
I-90 MP 447.1 EB Angola Service Area Truck Park 2
NY · EB
I-90 MP 447.1 EB Angola Service Area Truck Park 1
NY · EB
I-90 MP 444.90 EB/WB at Interchange 57A (Eden/Angola)
NY · Both
NY 5 at Big Tree Road
NY ·
I-90 MP 436.24 EB at Interchange 57 (Hamburg)
NY · EB
NY 5 at NY 179 (1)
NY ·
I-90 MP 427.90 EB at Interchange 54 (Route 400)
NY · EB
Rest Stops Along Your Route
8 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 8
Get Weather Alerts for This Route
We'll notify you when conditions change before your trip. Never drive into a surprise storm again.
⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌧️Sep 27: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
- ❄️Sep 25: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
- 🌫️Sep 22: Dense fog warning for morning travel
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from Erie, PA to Buffalo, NY covers 81 miles in roughly 1h 36m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras and 8 rest areas along this corridor so you can plan around them. A trip this short usually fits in a single morning or afternoon — check the live conditions just before you head out.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Sep 29
70° / 58°
No precip
Tomorrow
Sep 30
74° / 59°
No precip
Thu
Oct 1
70° / 64°
No precip
Fri
Oct 2
71° / 59°
No precip
Sat
Oct 3
61° / 54°
No precip
Sun
Oct 4
65° / 51°
No precip
Mon
Oct 5
59° / 53°
No precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go☁️ Overcast at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination
Sunday
Good to Go☀️ Clear sky at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination
Plan This Route
Get hour-by-hour weather forecasts, real-time traffic, and find the optimal departure time.
🚗 Live traffic included
See if current slowdowns affect your drive time
Free • No sign-up required
Current Conditions
Erie, PA
59°F
Wind: 11 mph
Buffalo, NY
61°F
Wind: 4 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Erie, PA to Buffalo, NY
The 81-mile drive from Erie, Pennsylvania to Buffalo, New York takes approximately 1h 36m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially across varying terrain where weather conditions can change rapidly. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This short route crosses state lines from Pennsylvania into New York, connecting Erie and Buffalo. At under 100 miles, it's a manageable day trip, but weather conditions can still change between your origin and destination — especially across elevation changes or near large bodies of water.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Winter storms and heavy snowfall (November through April)
- Black ice on mountain passes and bridges
- Dense fog, especially during early morning hours
Seasonal Driving Considerations
The Northeast corridor sees the full range of seasonal weather. Nor'easters from November through March can dump heavy snow and create whiteout conditions, while ice storms make roads treacherous. Summer and fall offer excellent driving conditions, though fall foliage season brings heavier traffic on scenic routes. Spring can bring unpredictable rain and residual freeze-thaw damage to road surfaces.
Best Time to Drive Erie to Buffalo
For shorter trips like this 81-mile drive, morning departures typically offer the best conditions with lighter traffic and better visibility. Avoid rush hour periods (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) if possible.
Driving Strategy
At 81 miles, the Erie to Buffalo drive is short enough to complete in a single stretch. Still, check conditions along the route before you leave — a quick glance at live traffic cameras can confirm road visibility and surface conditions. If bad weather is forecasted for a narrow window, adjusting your departure by even an hour can make a significant difference in safety.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Erie to Buffalo?
The drive is approximately 81 miles and takes about 1h 36m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Today (Sep 29) looks ideal. Low chance of precipitation with manageable conditions
Is it safe to drive from Erie to Buffalo today?
Current conditions show low risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.
Are there rest areas on the Erie to Buffalo route?
Yes, there are 8 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses Other. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
No significant incidents or road closures are currently reported along this route. Conditions can change quickly — this page updates automatically with the latest data from state DOT 511 systems.
Related Driving Guides
10 Essential Winter Driving Tips for Long Road Trips
Planning a winter road trip? Here are the essential safety tips to help you navigate snow, ice, and cold weather conditions.
🧊Black Ice: The Invisible Killer on Winter Roads
Black ice forms when rain or melting snow refreezes on cold road surfaces. Here's how to spot the conditions that create it.
🛡️Road Safety Features: Real-Time Conditions for Your Route
Real-time traffic incidents from 12 states, highway message signs, road conditions, and 25,000+ traffic cameras--integrated into your route planning.
Explore More Routes
More routes to Buffalo
Similar-distance drives
More routes starting in PA
Don't Drive Blind Into Weather
Route Outlook shows you conditions at every point along your route—at the exact time you'll be there.
Open Planner