Скачать или смотреть Driving on Interstate 190 Through Buffalo, New York

Interstate 190, officially known as the Niagara Thruway, is more than just a connector highway—it's a vital transportation artery that ties together Buffalo, Grand Island, Niagara Falls, and beyond. Spanning approximately 28 miles, I-190 begins at its southern terminus with Interstate 90 and winds its way northward, paralleling the Niagara River, crossing Grand Island, and culminating at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge into Canada.

In this article, we’ll focus on the first 13 miles or so, from I-90 north to Grand Island, a segment filled with urban interchanges, riverfront infrastructure, and breathtaking transitions from city to island.
🛣️ Starting Point: The I-90 / I-190 Interchange

Your journey begins at the large interchange between Interstate 90 (New York State Thruway) and Interstate 190 in Lackawanna/Hamburg, just south of Buffalo. As you peel off I-90, you merge onto I-190 North, immediately entering Erie County's industrial corridor.

You pass through a tangle of flyover ramps and overhead signage.

Traffic here is often moderate to heavy, especially during rush hours, with commercial trucks and commuters heading into Buffalo or toward Canada.

This area is part of the New York State Thruway Authority, so E-ZPass is accepted, though tolls were eliminated in 2006 for I-190.
🏭 South Buffalo: Steel Legacy and Urban Transition

As you drive through South Buffalo, the industrial character of the region is unmistakable. I-190 runs parallel to rail yards, old steel mills, and shipping docks along the Buffalo River and Lake Erie waterfront.

Key interchanges:

Exit 1 (Church Street/Local Access) – for Buffalo Riverworks, Canalside, and historic grain silos turned into performance venues.

Exit 2 (Ohio Street) – access to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, marinas, and green spaces.

This stretch offers views of:

Elevated rail viaducts

Abandoned industrial structures

The iconic General Mills cereal factory, sometimes filling the air with the smell of Cheerios

Despite its rugged appearance, this area is part of Buffalo’s resurgence, with loft conversions, breweries, and waterfront parks reclaiming space once dominated by heavy industry.
🌉 Downtown Buffalo and the Skyway Split

As you approach downtown Buffalo, I-190 runs along the Niagara River, offering glimpses of the Buffalo skyline, KeyBank Center (home of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres), and the Buffalo Naval & Military Park.

At Exit 6 (Elm Street/Skyway), the Buffalo Skyway (NY 5) branches off toward the lakefront. Stay right to remain on I-190 North.


Watch for Exit 8 (Niagara Street/Porter Avenue), which provides access to Buffalo State College, the West Side, and Front Park, a gateway to the Peace Bridge to Canada.
Once past the central urban core, the drive opens up again. You are now on a wide, elevated freeway paralleling the Niagara River to your left and the Black Rock Canal to your right.

You pass over:

Scajaquada Creek

CSX rail lines
You’ll notice more green space, waterfront promenades, and access points to Buffalo's Riverwalk and Broderick Park—a historic Underground Railroad site.

At Exit 11 (Tonawanda Street/Vulcan Street), the highway begins its final stretch through the city before crossing into the suburbs of Tonawanda.
🌉 Crossing the Niagara River: South Grand Island Bridge

Approaching Exit 16 (I-190N / South Grand Island Bridge), you begin your climb onto the twin arching spans that carry I-190 over the Niagara River onto Grand Island.

The South Grand Island Bridge consists of two truss arch bridges.

Formerly tolled, these bridges are now part of cashless tolling zones—E-ZPass is scanned, or a bill is mailed to the registered plate holder.

The view from the bridge is stunning:

To your right, the City of Tonawanda and Buffalo's industrial north end

To your left, open water, boat docks, and the river splitting around Strawberry Island

The deep blue flow of the Niagara River beneath you, racing north toward Niagara Falls

The bridge crests in a steep arch before descending onto Grand Island, a 28-square-mile landmass in the middle of the river.
🏝️ Arriving on Grand Island: Green Space and Gateway to the Falls

Once on Grand Island, the urban landscape gives way to a quieter, greener environment. I-190 continues for several more miles across the island, but this marks a dramatic shift in scenery.

The drive on Grand Island features:

Tree-lined shoulders

Occasional exits for local parks, residential communities, and commercial plazas

Access to Beaver Island State Park and River Lea, the former home of President Grover Cleveland

Exit options include:

Exit 18 (Whitehaven Road) – main east–west road across the island

Exit 19 (Grand Island Blvd/NY 324) – access to shopping and local businesses

Exit 20 (Long Road) – leads toward Fantasy Island Amusement Park and camping areas