You're standing at the edge of Lake Ontario, looking south toward the horizon. On a clear day, if you’re up in the CN Tower, you can sometimes see the faint outline of New York state. It feels close. It is close. But when you ask how far is Toronto from Buffalo New York, the answer depends entirely on whether you're a bird, a driver, or someone stuck at the Peace Bridge behind a tour bus.
Directly across the water, the distance is a mere 59 miles (about 95 kilometers). It's a hop. If you had a fast boat and no border to worry about, you’d be there in under an hour. But since we haven't mastered teleportation or amphibious cars yet, the reality of the trip is usually measured in highway exits and customs declarations.
The Actual Driving Distance and Why It Changes
Most people are looking at a road trip. When you get behind the wheel, the distance stretches to roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers).
Why the jump? Because you have to wrap around the "Golden Horseshoe"—the western tip of Lake Ontario. You aren't going in a straight line; you’re driving through Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, and Hamilton before heading east toward the border.
On a perfect day with zero traffic (which, honestly, is rare in Southern Ontario), you can do the drive in 1 hour and 45 minutes. But let’s be real. If you leave Toronto at 4:30 PM on a Friday, that "short trip" will easily turn into a three-hour marathon of brake lights.
The QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) is the main artery here. It's legendary for its congestion. You've got commuters, transport trucks, and tourists all fighting for the same asphalt.
Choosing Your Border Crossing
The distance is also dictated by where you cross. You have three main choices, and picking the wrong one can add twenty minutes of driving or two hours of waiting.
- The Peace Bridge: This is the most direct route into downtown Buffalo. It connects Fort Erie, Ontario, to Buffalo, New York. If your destination is a Sabres game or the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, this is your best bet.
- The Rainbow Bridge: This one takes you right into Niagara Falls. It’s scenic, but it’s often packed with tourists who don't know where their passports are. It adds a bit of a detour if you’re heading straight to Buffalo.
- The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge: Located further north, this bridge is often favored by frequent travelers and truckers. It’s a bit of a "pro tip" crossing because the lines can be shorter, though it lands you in Lewiston, about 20-25 minutes north of Buffalo proper.
How Far Is Toronto From Buffalo New York by Bus or Train?
Not everyone wants to navigate the QEW. If you’re looking to let someone else handle the steering wheel, you have options, but they aren't necessarily faster.
Buses are the most common choice. Companies like FlixBus, Megabus, and Greyhound run this route constantly. A typical bus ride takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours.
The bus usually departs from the Union Station Bus Terminal in Toronto and drops you off at the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center. It’s cheap—often under $30—but you are at the mercy of the border guards. If one person on your bus has a "complicated" visa situation, everyone sits and waits.
The Amtrak Maple Leaf Experience
Then there’s the train. The Amtrak Maple Leaf service connects Toronto Union Station to Buffalo (both Exchange Street and Depew stations).
Is it fast? No.
Is it comfortable? Absolutely.
The train journey takes roughly 4 hours. That sounds like a long time for 100 miles, right? The reason is the border. The train stops at the Niagara Falls station, and everyone has to get off with their luggage, go through customs, and get back on. It’s a slow, methodical process. However, if you want to see the Niagara Escarpment and the wine country without staring at a bumper, it’s a vibe.
Can You Fly? (And Should You?)
Technically, you can fly from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Billy Bishop (YTZ) to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF).
But here’s the thing: almost nobody does it.
There are rarely direct flights between the two cities because they are so close. Most "flights" will involve a connection in a city like Detroit or Washington D.C., which is ridiculous. You’d spend six hours traveling for a trip you could have driven in two.
The only reason people really talk about "flying" in this context is because Buffalo’s airport is a massive hub for Canadians looking for cheap domestic U.S. flights. Many Torontonians drive the 100 miles to Buffalo just to fly to Florida or Vegas for half the price.
Real-World Travel Times in 2026
To give you a better sense of the scale, look at these typical durations:
- Driving (Smooth Traffic): 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Driving (Friday Afternoon): 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Bus: 3 hours.
- Train: 4 hours 10 minutes.
- Cycling: About 10 to 12 hours (Yes, people do the Waterfront Trail, and it’s beautiful).
Border Realities: The "X Factor"
You can’t talk about how far these cities are without talking about the border. It’s the great equalizer.
On a Tuesday morning in January, you might breeze through the Peace Bridge in three minutes. On a holiday weekend like July 4th or Canada Day, you might sit on the bridge for two hours.
Make sure you have your NEXUS card if you’re a frequent traveler. It’s a lifesaver. It cuts that "distance" down significantly by giving you a dedicated lane that moves while everyone else is idling. Also, check the real-time wait apps like the CBP Border Wait Times or the Peace Bridge authority website before you leave Hamilton. If the Peace Bridge is backed up 60 minutes and Queenston-Lewiston is "no delay," take the detour. It’s worth the extra 10 miles of driving.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
If you're planning this journey soon, don't just put "Buffalo" into your GPS and hope for the best.
First, decide on your priority. If it's cost, book a FlixBus at least a week in advance. If it's convenience, drive but timing is everything—try to cross the border before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM to avoid the worst of the commuter rush.
Second, verify your documents. Even in 2026, people show up at the Rainbow Bridge with just a driver's license (not an enhanced one) and get turned back. You need a passport, a NEXUS card, or an Enhanced Driver's License.
Lastly, if you’re driving, stop in Beamsville or Jordan on the way. It’s right in the middle of Ontario’s wine country. It adds maybe twenty minutes to your trip but gives you a much-needed break from the highway monotony.
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The physical distance is short, but the "travel distance" is a living, breathing thing that changes with the weather and the clock. Plan for the traffic, expect a wait at the border, and you'll find that Buffalo is a surprisingly easy neighbor to visit.
Stay mindful of the local bridge tolls—most are cashless now, so make sure your toll transponder is active or be prepared for a bill in the mail.
Finish your prep by checking the weather; lake-effect snow in Buffalo is a real thing and can turn a 100-mile trip into a full-day expedition in the blink of an eye.