Roadtrip with RVshare Buffalo to New York

Driving from Buffalo, NY, to NYC is unique in that you will start in one state, drive through two other states and, then, end up in the same state that you originally left. New York is uniquely drawn in a triangular fashion from the northern areas close to Canada down to the more southern tip of the state. The shortest route will take you through the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey as you journey south to the Atlantic Coast and New York City.

Nearby National Parks

As you travel your Buffalo to NYC road trip, you will be following the same paths that the Patriot and British soldiers passed along during the Revolutionary War. Therefore, while there are no nearby national parks on this route, you can visit historical parks and easily add the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia to your road trip from Buffalo to NYC.

Saratoga National Historical Park

The Battle of Saratoga actually refers to two battles that took place in Saratoga during the Revolutionary War. Saratoga National Historical Park marks the location of the Battle of Saratoga and has four main sites: Saratoga Battlefield, Schuyler House, the Saratoga Monument, and Victory Woods. Schuyler House was the country home of American General Philip Schuyler. The Saratoga Monument commemorates the surrender of British General Burgoyne, and Victory Woods is the site of General John Burgoyne's final encampment before his surrender. There are various presentations and exhibits at the park, and many of the park rangers are dressed in period costumes. The Visitor Center offers films, artifacts, and interactive displays, and you can even use the center’s database to look up ancestors who may have been in the Battle of Saratoga. 

Independence National Historical Park

Visitors can relive the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inside Independence National Historical Park. While in the park, you can visit Independence Hall, Franklin Court, Congress Hall, the Bishop White House, New Hall Military Museum, and the famous Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell was commissioned in 1752 and cracked the first time when it was rung after arriving in Philadelphia. The famous bell was subsequently recast and used to summon people to meetings. The current crack in the bell appeared sometime in the early 1800s. The bell was named The Liberty Bell by abolitionists in the 1830s. After WWII, Philadelphia handed the bell over to the National Park Service while retaining ownership.

Nearby State Parks

Your Buffalo to NYC RV road trip will take you through the states of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You will be able to visit the excellent state parks that are found near your route.

Letchworth State Park  

Letchworth State Park is commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East because of the deep gorge in the park that is formed by the Genesee River. There are three waterfalls in this section of the river, which courses between cliffs as high as 600 feet in elevation at some points. The park has more than 60 miles of hiking trails and many multi-use trails as well. Popular activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. In the summer, you can kayak or take a whitewater rafting trip on the river, swim in the pool, or take a hot air balloon ride.

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is one of the state parks in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and is rated one of the best parks in the area. The stream in the park has 19 waterfalls on its route through the deep cliffs. The gorge path takes you over and under these waterfalls, which include the falls of Cavern Cascade. There are also rim trails above the gorge. Popular amenities include an Olympic-sized pool, and visitors can fish in the nearby Seneca Lake and Catherine Creek.

Ringwood State Park

Ringwood State Park is a large 4,444-acre park that is located in the Ramapo Mountains in northeastern New Jersey. This park is home to the New Jersey Botanical Garden, historic Ringwood Manor, and the Shepherd Lake Recreation Area. The gardens contain a variety of small plants, trees, and shrubs that are laid out in terraces, gardens, and paths. Visitors can view the Ramapo Mountains from the gardens. Ringwood Manor dates from the 1740s and is available for tours, and Shepherd Lake offers plenty of boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. There are many nature trails around the lake that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Along the Way

These Mid-Atlantic states are part of the 13 original colonies of the U.S. and have many historically significant areas and unique natural preserves.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is an amazing natural wonder of North America that people have been admiring for centuries. Niagara Falls is comprised of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls) on the Canadian and U.S. border, American Falls in the U.S. and Bridal Veil Falls in the U.S. The falls are located on the Niagara River, which drains water from four of the five Great Lakes into Lake Ontario. The falls all together have the highest flow rate for waterfalls in North America that have a vertical fall of more than 160 feet. Of the three falls, Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful and largest. During the daylight hours, the falls see more than six million cubic feet of water go over the crests. The falls are around 17 miles from Buffalo, and all three falls can be accessed from the U.S. side (Proper identification documents are required for Canadian entry). Niagara Falls State Park in New York State is the oldest state park in the U.S. and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site is a railroad museum in Scranton, PA, and is located on the former Scranton yards for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W). The museum is built around a working turntable and roundhouse that are replicas incorporated into original parts. The buildings are registered historic places and part of the DL&W Site. The collection of steam locomotives and equipment were largely the private collection of F. Nelson Blount. Visitors can tour the grounds and collections and take a train ride while on the site.

Liberty National Monument

The majority of the people living in the U.S. today are either descendants of immigrants or are current immigrants. More than 12 million immigrants entered through Ellis Island between the years of 1892 and 1954. The Liberty National Monument is comprised of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and serves to commemorate these people. The statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World” arrived in New York City in 1885 as a gift from France and was dedicated in the U.S. in 1886. It is now fondly known as the Statue of Liberty. Visitors to the park can tour Ellis Island, which is no longer the portal for Atlantic immigration, and Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty is located. Visitors to Liberty Island are allowed inside both the pedestal and the crown areas of the Statue of Liberty on a schedule of limited guests per day.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

The route from Buffalo to NYC will take you through several fairly large cities in the northeastern U.S. Not only can you stop and get a bite to eat and do some shopping, but you can also see many unique and interesting places.

Geneseo

The city of Geneseo in New York state is a charming town that has beautiful scenery both in town and outside the city limits. Letchworth State Park is nearby, along with Stony Brook State Park. Roemer Arboretum has 20 acres of attractively landscaped gardens and pathways on the SUNY Geneseo campus, and the National Warplane Museum is definitely worth a visit. If you are planning on staying at an RV park, then Tamarack Campground is a good choice for a quiet park with lots of walking trails. You can find several dump stations in the area if you need their services.

Binghamton

Binghamton, NY, is midway on your Buffalo to NYC road trip and is a good place to stop for some respite from the road. Binghamton is called the Carousel Capital of the World due to the large number of vintage and new carousels in the city. You will love riding on the wood-carved carousels of the 1920s at Ross Park, Recreation Park, Highland Park, and other sites around town. While you are in Binghamton, be sure to try one of their famous spiedies, a specially marinated meat sandwich on a soft roll, and get a refreshing glass of apple cider from the Cider Mill, a city landmark since 1926. You can stay at Watkins Glen State Park at the campground in your RV and take the time to visit any of the many waterfalls in the park in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. There are also several available dump stations nearby. 

Scranton

Scranton is located in northeast Pennsylvania and is an interesting place to stop and explore different aspects of the industrial past of the U.S. You can tour the Steamtown National Historic Site and view a large number of steam locomotives and also take a train ride, visit the Scranton Iron Furnaces and see the site of the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Cozy Creek Family Campground is a family-friendly campground that has a stream for fishing in the park and lots of fun amenities and activities. If you need to use a dump station, there are various options in the nearby areas.

Find Adventure from Buffalo to New York

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Buffalo to NYC, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Buffalo or NYC.