Traffic/drive time/hotel questions

[Dave R]

New here. I am going to be in Buffalo on the weekend of Nov 18th and was hoping to attend the game. I have a flight out at 7:30 PM and was wondering if I had enough time to get to the airport by 6:30 after the game ends. I know some stadiums have horrendous traffic jams after the game.

If anyone can recommend a hotel nearby, that would be great too.

Thanks in advance.

[Buffatexas]

1 hour may be cutting it a bit short as the airport screening process is not the most speedy. You may want to consider parking the furthest possible distance from the stadium so you have a better chance of getting out. You could be in the parking lot for an hour if you park at the stadium.

[OpIv37]

New here. I am going to be in Buffalo on the weekend of Nov 18th and was hoping to attend the game. I have a flight out at 7:30 PM and was wondering if I had enough time to get to the airport by 6:30 after the game ends. I know some stadiums have horrendous traffic jams after the game.

If anyone can recommend a hotel nearby, that would be great too.

Thanks in advance.

I did that once in '04- our flights left around 8 and we were able to make it in time. The stadium is only about a 20 minute drive from the airport, if that- of course, it takes a lot longer in gameday traffic. But if you take the back roads and stay away from I 90, the traffic is fine once you get 2-3 miles from the stadium.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

After the game go onto 20A. when the visiting team's bus leaves with Police escorts, follow them to the airport.

[PromoTheRobot]

Park in a private lot on Southwestern Blvd. I recommend parking behind the former End Zone tavern (located before the railroad underpass before California Rd.) Only $6 to park, and it's a good 10+ minute walk to the stadium. But you can pull out and be on your way immediately. If you park in a stadium lot, expect to be stuck for up to an hour.

More advice: STAY OFF THE THRUWAY (I-90)!!!! It bogs down after every game. Stay on the local roads. Best way to the airport from RWS: Southwestern Blvd eastbound (turn right out of the End Zone lot), left at Orchard Park Blvd, take the immediate right fork onto Union Rd. Go up to Genesee St. and turn right. Airport is on the left, just past Dick Rd. Drivetime 20-25 minutes.

One more tip: Buffalo TSA is somewhat understaffed so expect a longer than usual wait at the security screening. Get the the airport by 6pm and you're fine. Even if the game goes into OT you'll make it if you don't park in a stadium lot.

There aren't a lot of hotels near RWS (just do a Yahoo/Google search) but you can pretty much stay anywhere. #1 suggestion is to stay downtown at the Hyatt or Comfort Inn near Chippawa St. It's where all the nightlife is. I also recommend staying in Niagara Falls ON. Casinos, nightclubs, and the best "adult" entertainment if you go for that. (Go to the Sundowner and you may see some of the opposing team players.) Give yourself a little extra time crossing the border.

Personally I do all my tailgating the night before, so the day of the game I don't need anymore beer. I like to have breakfast at the Original Pancake House on Union Rd (http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/phloc_ny.html) Then after parking, I walk to the Ralph Wilson fieldhouse and watch the Bills pre-game show done live, and kick a field goal or two.

PTR

[STAMPY]

buffalo residents are whiners. the traffic getting to stadium and downtown is NOTHING. You never seen traffic people. I see it all the time on this board. Compare that to traffic on Long Island and NYC. I can see where OP comes from cause DC traffic is up there with us as being terrible. But i was in buffalo and it was nothing!

[trapezeus]

Park in a private lot on Southwestern Blvd. I recommend parking behind the former End Zone tavern (located before the railroad underpass before California Rd.) Only $6 to park, and it's a good 10+ minute walk to the stadium. But you can pull out and be on your way immediately. If you park in a stadium lot, expect to be stuck for up to an hour.

More advice: STAY OFF THE THRUWAY (I-90)!!!! It bogs down after every game. Stay on the local roads. Best way to the airport from RWS: Southwestern Blvd eastbound (turn right out of the End Zone lot), left at Orchard Park Blvd, take the immediate right fork onto Union Rd. Go up to Genesee St. and turn right. Airport is on the left, just past Dick Rd. Drivetime 20-25 minutes.

One more tip: Buffalo TSA is somewhat understaffed so expect a longer than usual wait at the security screening. Get the the airport by 6pm and you're fine. Even if the game goes into OT you'll make it if you don't park in a stadium lot.

PTR

first point of this is spot on. i park in a private lot on SouthWestern Blvd. I fly back to nyc on the 7:30 or 8pm flight after each game. You can stay til the final gun, walk the 10+ minutes to the lot and drive down south western blvd to transit and a right on genesse. it talks half an hour. plenty of time to get to the airport and still wait for your flight. I even stop at home to shower and have never missed a flight. Good luck and hopefully we can rain on the pats parade that day.

[OpIv37]

Good luck and hopefully we can rain on the pats parade that day.

I'd prefer to piss on it.

[don137]

buffalo residents are whiners. the traffic getting to stadium and downtown is NOTHING. You never seen traffic people. I see it all the time on this board. Compare that to traffic on Long Island and NYC. I can see where OP comes from cause DC traffic is up there with us as being terrible. But i was in buffalo and it was nothing!

Rush hour traffic is nothing but getting out of a game is another story. It could take over an hour just to get out of the parking lot. I remember a few years ago the Bills played at 12:30 on Saturday and the Sabres played that night. We were to meet friends that did not go to the Bills game at the anchor bar. It took 2 1/2 hours to make a 20-25 minute drive. Barely had time to get a bite to eat despite a 4 hour gap between games.
Definitely getting out of the parking lot fast and avoiding 90 is the key. I didn't and paid for it.

[Dave R]

Awesome info folks! Thanks! I like the idea of the long walk to the parking lot and an easy ride out vs. parking at the stadium. That's what I was aiming for anyway, getting a specific lot recommendation and the directions to the airport is great bonus.

[Mitchy moo]

Awesome info folks! Thanks! I like the idea of the long walk to the parking lot and an easy ride out vs. parking at the stadium. That's what I was aiming for anyway, getting a specific lot recommendation and the directions to the airport is great bonus.

Good to have you aboard Dave, GO BILLS!!!!

[Albany,n.y.]

Here's my advice. I go to every game:
I have a 4 1/2 to 5 hour ride going back to Albany, so I can't afford to get stuck in traffic jams. I found over the years, the best way to get out is by parking in the stadium lot, drive 5 right on Southwestern(Rt 20). My theory: The closer you are to the car, the sooner you're on the road. Since I get to metro Buffalo on Saturday, I can get to the stadium early enough to pull this off. I get to the lot before 10. I stay to the left (east side) as I pull into the lot. After paying, I turn left and try to find a spot on the left side (north) in the 1st 1-3 rows of the lot-closest to the exit. I never get stuck more than a few minutes as I'm parked practically at the exit. When the game is over, it's one right turn, another right turn to the lanes leading to 20 and a right out of lot on to Southwestern(20).
Now, I judge the traffic. If the game ends with the fans in the stands )in doubt until the last second), you can beat the traffic back east easier. When that's the case, I drive a couple of miles until I see the sign that says to 219, I make a left on to Mile Strip Rd and take 219 to the Thruway. (This is the back end of Mile Strip Rd and there's no traffic). This only works if everyone is still in their seats. Amazingly, all 4 home games have gone down to the last second and I've gotten home very early this year. (I parked on California for the Monday nighter because I was with people who didn't want to arrive early at the stadium and we weren't going all the way to Albany that night-that's also a good spot if you want to walk a bit) For the 3 Sunday games I've made it home before 9 (8:50, 8:15-game ended before 3:45, and 8:40). When the stands are empty, I just take 20 east, stay on it as it becomes 78 (Transit Rd) and take it to the Thruway in Depew-doing so avoids the toll booth jam in Depew. If you go that way, I'd keep it simple & just take it until Genesse St (33). Make a left & a couple of miles at most you're at the airport.
Get a map & look at the options we've given you & go with the one you're most comfortable with.

[G. Host]

Besides tips mentioned.

Rent from a car company where they let you drop it off and mail a receipt rather than waiting for someone to check it out.
Fill the car with gas before game near stadium - don't need to stop for gas.
Make sure you know shortest route to car from your seat; if you seat is on opposite side go to opposite side of stadium during break between 3rd and 4th quarter and stand in entrance.
Skip the beer and other liquids so you do not need to use bathroom on way out.
Save time at airport by travelling light and make sure everything you have can fit in suitcase you can carry through screening (no liquids or other items to worry about).
Have slipper socks or something else you can wear at airport and just toss shoes in bag.I have left game a 4 PM and caught flights back by 6:30 but when game runs late traffic tends to leave early and you have more issues. Bad weather means be out of there early unfortunately. At least your flight is after 7.

[Wys Guy]

After the game go onto 20A. when the visiting team's bus leaves with Police escorts, follow them to the airport.

After the game the majority of traffic will have left an hour earlier. The lots will be virtually empty and you'll be able to coast outta there effortlessly relatively speaking. ;)


New here. I am going to be in Buffalo on the weekend of Nov 18th and was hoping to attend the game. I have a flight out at 7:30 PM and was wondering if I had enough time to get to the airport by 6:30 after the game ends. I know some stadiums have horrendous traffic jams after the game.

If anyone can recommend a hotel nearby, that would be great too.

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't sweat it at all. If for some reason the game is close, [20-minute laughter break and recovery session], then just leave after the 3rd Q if you're getting nervous.

I'm guessing that we'll be down by 20-something at the half and that the exodus will begin then making post-game exiting that much quicker. I've easily gotten to Rochester by 7 p.m. before while staying for the entire game. So you shouldn't have any trouble making it to the airport by 6 p.m. even if you do take the major routes.

Park in the main lot on the north side of the stadium and park as close to the main exit onto Southwestern that you can. Back in too. You'll be fine.

[BillsOverDolphins]

You'd be better off watching the carnage from your living room...that way you can turn it off after the first quarter

[RedEyE]

Security at the Buffalo airport makes Atlanta airport security look like the Keystone Cops.

My advice to you is that if you don't have any bags to check and you have e-tickets in hand, it's still not enough time to make a 7:30 flight.

Do yourself a favor and take the first flight out in the morning.

[G. Host]

I have taken a flight Sunday night many times. I'd fly more often but hard to get a cheap flight after 7 PM but he already has one. Hopefully this will NOT be a game which they decide to change the game time.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

I would park on Abbott Road in one of the houses.

After the game drive down Abbott, away from the stadium, to Bussendorfer (on the left), take Bussendorfer to the other end at Armor Duells, take a left down Armor Duells. Take Armor Duells all the way down to the light (it is a good mile or two). You will pass Duerr and the 219. You come to Orchard Park Road at that light and take a left. Down about 100 yards or so is Jewet Holmwood, take a right on that.

Go down that road a little bit. You will pass some railroad tracks and go up a big hill. After you get to the top of the hill you will come to Transit Road. Take a left on Transit. You stay on that road for a few miles until you come to rt. 20 (also Transit Road) Go right on 20/Transit. Take that for about 10 miles, actually take that all the way to Genessee. You will pass such roads as French, Walden, etc.

Take a left on Genessee and the Airport is a little bit up on the right.

I can't imagine a faster way to the airport than that.

[Dave R]

Hopefully this will NOT be a game which they decide to change the game time.

Totally forgot that this game was in week 11... Thanks for the heads-up!

Well, I looked at the schedule, NE is on primetime Sunday night on week 12 and I seriously doubt they'll do two NE games in a row on prime time no matter how well they are doing. That still leaves the potential of moving the game to 4:15 though. Indy is playing at 1:00 on week 11 too so it would probably make sense to move either the Indy or the NE game to 4:15, assuming both are still as dominant as they've been. I may wait until the 6th (when the NFL has to announce the flex schedule for week 11) before buying tix.