Traveling Through New York's Interstate 190: A Complete Guide

Your route begins in Erie County, where you'll pass through major cities like Buffalo and Tonawanda. The road initially heads west, then curves and dips slightly before reaching downtown Buffalo. As you continue, you'll travel along the Niagara River, eventually passing Riverside Park and entering Tonawanda. From there, the route takes you across Grand Island and passes near Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World, before crossing the Niagara River once more. The road is tolled, with prices starting at $1.24 for Tolls By Mail, or $0.95 (E-ZPass users within New York) and $1.09 (out-of-state E-ZPass users). This section, called the Niagara Thruway, is managed by the New York State Thruway Authority.

• This stretch covers nearly 21.12 miles (33.99 km), making it the majority of your journey.
• Begin your journey at Exit 53 on I-90 (New York Thruway), located just north of West Seneca and east of Buffalo.
• While in Buffalo, you’ll encounter several exits, including those for South Ogden St (1), NY-354 to NY-62 (2), NY-16/Seneca St (3), Smith St/Fillmore Ave (4), Hamburg St/Louisiana St (5), Elm St (6), NY-5/LECT W or Church St (7), NY-266/Niagara St (8), LECT/Porter Ave/Niagara St (9), NY-198/Scajaquada Expressway (11), Amherst St (12), Austin St (13), and Ontario St/Vulcan St (14).
• At the start, you'll pass the former City Line toll barrier before reaching Exit 1.
• After Exit 3, you’ll pass between the KeyBank Center and Sahlen Field (near NY-5, Exit 7), with views of Lake Erie.
• The highway continues along the Niagara River, heading north.
• In Tonawanda, look for exits like NY-324/Sheridan Dr/Kenmore Ave (15), I-290 to I-90 (16), NY-266/River Rd (17), and the Tonawanda Toll Gantry.
• This section runs along the Black Rock Channel, passing the former Black Rock Toll Barrier before reconnecting with the Niagara River.
• Cross the South Grand Island Bridge. The bridge, a dual truss arch structure, spans the Niagara River. Tolls are $1.24 (Tolls by Mail), $0.95 (E-ZPass NY-started), and $1.09 (E-ZPass non-NY-started), but rates increase for vehicles with additional axles.
• On Grand Island, expect exits for NY-324 W/Grand Island Blvd (18A), Beaver Island State Park (18B), Whitehaven Rd (19), NY-324 E/Grand Island Blvd (20B), West River Rd (20A), and the Niagara Falls Toll Gantry.
• The highway runs parallel to NY-324 across Grand Island, passing Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World.
• Cross the North Grand Island Bridge. This second dual 2-lane pair of truss arch bridges crosses the Niagara River and marks your exit from Erie County. Tolls are $1.24 (Tolls by Mail), $0.95 (E-ZPass NY-started), and $1.09 (E-ZPass non-NY-started), with higher rates for vehicles with additional axles.

In Niagara County, you'll continue your northward journey, veering east near the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, then curving west as you enter Lewiston, eventually crossing into the next area. This stretch of the highway takes you through Niagara Falls, NY, Niagara, and Lewiston. It's known as the Niagara Expressway, which is not tolled but is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation.

• This segment is the shortest part of the journey, covering just 7.22 miles (11.62 km).
• In Niagara Falls, you’ll encounter exits for NY-384/Buffalo Ave/Niagara Scenic Parkway (21), LaSalle Expressway (21A), and US-62/Niagara Falls Blvd, which leads to Niagara Falls International Airport (22).
• Exit 21 can be tricky since it's where NY-324 ends and multiple parkways/expressways converge.
• In Niagara, expect exits for NY-182/Packard Rd/Porter Rd (23) and NY-31/Witmer Rd (24).
• Exit 24 provides access to the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant reservoir, while the highway crosses a canal on a dam, used by the NY-265 state route.
• In Lewiston, look for exits for NY-265 (25A) and NY-104/Niagara Scenic Parkway (25B).
• Cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. This bridge spans the Niagara River and connects to Ontario, Canada. It's an arch bridge with five reversible lanes of traffic and is tolled at $5.00 (USD) or $6.50 (CAD), with customs at the bridge plaza.
• Proceed into Canada. Once in Canada, the road becomes Canada Highway 405 W, heading toward St. Catharines, Hamilton, and Toronto. This is the only auxiliary interstate linking the U.S. directly to Canada.