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Highway 5: Dunkirk to Barcelona, Lake Erie, New York
Photo: Lunablue4ever · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives New York The Finger Lakes and Western New York

Highway 5: Dunkirk to Barcelona

NY 5, Lake Shore Drive, East Lake Road · Dunkirk → Barcelona Harbor

Leisurely16.8 mi25 min400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 700 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 5 follows the Lake Erie shore for almost all of its length through Chautauqua County. This drive runs west from Dunkirk to Barcelona Harbor, about 17 miles of flat, mostly straight road with the lake close on one side.

Lake Erie State Park is on the way. Highway 5 is also the route of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail and the Lake Erie Circle Tour, so signs for both appear along it. The drive ends near Barcelona at the junction with Highway 394.

Along the way

  1. Dunkirk
  2. Lake Erie State Park
  3. Barcelona Harbor
Elevation
400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 700 ft
DunkirkBarcelona Harbor
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
DunkirkBarcelona Harbor
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Highway 5 is a busy two-lane road in places, with local traffic and trucks.
  • Check 511NY before a winter trip.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check 511NY traffic and travel information.

Questions about this drive

How long is Highway 5 from Dunkirk to Barcelona?

Highway 5 from Dunkirk to Barcelona Harbor is 16.8 miles and takes about 25 minutes.

What is the Seaway Trail?

The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a signed scenic route along the Great Lakes shore, and Highway 5 through Chautauqua County is part of it.

Is Highway 5 along Lake Erie twisty?

No. This stretch of Highway 5 is flat with mostly gentle curves, and it follows the lake shore closely.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 5: Dunkirk to Barcelona, from Dunkirk to Barcelona Harbor