New York → Michigan · Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway)
What does it actually cost to drive from Buffalo, New York, to Detroit, Michigan? The hard numbers: 409 km (254 miles) of pavement primarily along Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway), 3h 54m behind the wheel, and roughly $34.22 in fuel alone — that is 37.2 liters (9.8 gallons) of regular unleaded at a 0.92 USD/liter benchmark. Anyone leaving Buffalo, the western New York gateway to the Niagara Frontier and Lake Erie, typically carries samples, signed proposals, or service equipment to deliver in Detroit, the Motor City and historic capital of the American auto industry, and aims to be home the same evening. It is worth confirming whether the haul fits inside your daily hours-of-service window or whether an overnight at a midpoint hotel makes more sense. Applying the IRS standard mileage rate (2025) mileage rate of $0.43/km ($0.69/mile), the gross outbound reimbursement settles at $175.87. Attach the visit purpose, client name, and plate number to the Clara receipt so the journal entry lands directly in the business-travel expense account.