I-290 begins at a
semi-directional T interchange with
I-190 within view of the
Niagara River in an industrial sector of the
Buffalo suburb of
Tonawanda. The freeway heads east from I-190 into more residential areas of Tonawanda, where it meets
New York State Route 384 (NY 384) at a three-quarter
cloverleaf interchange. The two missing portions of the cloverleaf, both ramps leading to NY 384 from I-290 eastbound, are replaced by an exit to Elmwood Avenue located slightly west of the NY 384 exit. To the east of NY 384 (and adjacent to the southeasternmost point in the city of
Tonawanda), I-290 interchanges with the Twin Cities Memorial Highway (
NY 425). The Youngmann continues east through Tonawanda to the
Amherst town line, where it meets
US Route 62 (US 62) at a second three-quarter cloverleaf interchange. Unlike the interchange with NY 384, all connections are possible between I-290 and US 62 due to a modified ramp linking I-290 westbound to US 62. Past US 62 in Amherst, I-290 turns to the southeast ahead of a semi-directional T interchange with
I-990, a spur to
Lockport. Farther east, I-290 meets
NY 263 (Millersport Highway) at a cloverleaf interchange and
NY 324 and
NY 240 at a modified
diamond interchange south of the
University at Buffalo's north campus in Amherst. Near
Williamsville, I-290 turns southward and intersects
NY 5 (Main Street) at a modified cloverleaf interchange. I-290 terminates at a semi-directional T interchange with the
New York State Thruway (
I-90) a half-mile () to the south on the Amherst–
Cheektowaga town line. This interchange is colloquially referenced as "The Blue Water Tower" due to its proximity to a large blue water tower on the Amherst–Cheektowaga town line. ==History==