Скачать или смотреть Driving on New York Route 33 from Buffalo to the Buffalo International Airport

Starting your eastbound drive on New York State Route 33—known locally as the Kensington Expressway—from Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo places you just east of downtown in the heart of the city’s East Side. This stretch of the 33 is a mix of expressway-grade travel and urban surroundings that encapsulate Buffalo’s evolving landscape. As you pull onto the expressway, the road rises above grade level with sound barriers to your right and left, shielding nearby homes and neighborhoods. You immediately notice the quick transition from city street grid to limited-access highway.

The Urban Core Transition Zone: Jefferson Avenue to Humboldt Parkway

From Jefferson Avenue, you're already within a major infrastructural corridor. The expressway was controversially cut through the historic Humboldt Parkway—originally a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed boulevard that connected parks. As you accelerate, you'll pass under Fillmore Avenue and then Humboldt Parkway itself. While trees and grassy embankments flank this part of the route, the visible remains of a neighborhood bisected by expressway development are evident: pedestrian bridges, cut-off side streets, and residential rooftops on either side of the trench-like highway.

During rush hour, traffic here can slow due to merging from local on-ramps. But typically, it’s a steady flow of cars heading eastward. The concrete walls and overpasses lend this portion a tunnel-like feeling, even though it's open-air. Digital signage and aging overhead signs point toward upcoming exits and speed limits, helping guide travelers toward the Buffalo Airport or further eastward destinations.

The Midway Stretch: Expressway Opens and Suburbs Begin

After the intersection with Main Street (NY Route 5), the road gradually begins to widen and level out. The city grid starts to fall behind you, and suburban Buffalo begins to take over. You pass the exits for Eggert Road and Bailey Avenue (Route 62), which serve the University Heights and Kensington neighborhoods. To the south, you can see the periphery of the University at Buffalo’s South Campus and the edge of the Town of Cheektowaga.

This section of Route 33 feels faster and more open, with fewer exits and smoother pavement. Trees and grassy medians offer a brief buffer from the urban density just a few miles back. As you drive here, the landscape transitions to commercial corridors and suburban homes. You’ll notice more semi-trucks and airport-bound traffic in the right-hand lanes.

Cheektowaga Section: Closer to the Airport

Approaching the Town of Cheektowaga, Route 33 picks up in altitude slightly and becomes less confined. Exits for Harlem Road and Union Road (Route 277) bring you into commercial areas filled with strip malls, gas stations, and fast food restaurants. You’ll notice billboards advertising airport parking, local hotels, and ride-share pickup services. The road signage becomes clearer and more airport-oriented, signaling the imminent approach to Buffalo Niagara International.

The final leg of the journey feels significantly more modern, with improved infrastructure and smoother flow. A final major exit provides access to Dick Road, followed by the well-marked exit to Genesee Street (Route 33 West/NY 130) which leads directly to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport terminal. This exit veers off gently to the right, with overhead signs clearly indicating terminal entrances, long-term parking, and car rental returns. Arrival: Buffalo Niagara International Airport

After exiting Route 33 at Genesee Street, you're quickly swept into the terminal loop road. The airport sits modestly in comparison to larger metro hubs, but it’s cleanly designed and highly functional. The terminal is visible almost immediately, and directional signage divides you between departures and arrivals. Traffic here is typically moderate and well-regulated, with law enforcement present to ensure loading zones remain fluid.

Driving Experience Summary

This drive, spanning approximately 6 to 7 miles, typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes under normal traffic conditions.