The Cost of Driving from Buffalo, NY to Ocean City, MD

If you're planning a road trip from Buffalo, New York to Ocean City, Maryland, there are a few things you'll need to consider to make the most of your trip. One of the most important things you'll need to think about is the cost of gas, tolls, and other expenses along the way. In this article, we'll explore the different routes you can take from Buffalo to Ocean City, as well as the associated costs.

Route Options

Option 1: I-90 E and I-81 S

This is the most direct route you can take from Buffalo to Ocean City. You'll start by taking I-90 East from Buffalo to Syracuse, then switch to I-81 South. You'll continue south on I-81 until you reach Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where you'll take I-83 South to Baltimore. From there, you'll switch to US-50 East, which will take you directly into Ocean City.

This route is 517 miles long and should take about 9 hours to drive, depending on traffic. Using current gas prices, it would cost approximately $70-$80 in gas.

Option 2: I-86 E, I-81 S, and I-70 E

This is another direct route, but it takes you through Pennsylvania instead of Maryland. You'll start by taking I-86 East from Buffalo to Binghamton, then switch to I-81 South. You'll continue south on I-81 until you reach Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where you'll switch to I-70 East. You'll then continue on I-70 until you reach Frederick, Maryland, where you'll take US-15 South towards Washington, D.C. From there, you'll switch to US-50 East, which will take you into Ocean City.

This route is 677 miles long and should take about 11 hours to drive, depending on traffic. Using current gas prices, it would cost approximately $90-$100 in gas.

Option 3: I-86 E, I-81 S, and I-270 S

This is the longest route you can take from Buffalo to Ocean City, but it takes you through Washington, D.C. You'll start by taking I-86 East from Buffalo to Binghamton, then switch to I-81 South. You'll continue south on I-81 until you reach Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where you'll switch to I-270 South. You'll then continue on I-270 until you reach Washington, D.C., where you'll switch to I-495 East. From there, you'll take US-50 East into Ocean City.

This route is 750 miles long and should take about 12 hours to drive, depending on traffic. Using current gas prices, it would cost approximately $100-$110 in gas.

Recommendation

Out of the three routes we've explored, we recommend taking Option 1: I-90 E and I-81 S. This route is the most direct and will take you to Ocean City in the shortest amount of time. It's also the cheapest option, as it will cost approximately $70-$80 in gas.

Conclusion

Overall, driving from Buffalo, New York to Ocean City, Maryland is a relatively straightforward trip. There are a few different route options to choose from, but we recommend taking I-90 E and I-81 S for the most direct and affordable route. Depending on traffic and rest stops, this trip should take about 9 hours to drive. With a little bit of planning, you can make the most out of your road trip and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer.