Travel across Up State New York PA

I know 90 is the toll road. For you people that travel in that part of the country, how would compare I 80, I 86 & I 90.Does the cost of the tolls offer a savings in fuel and or time? Going from Ohio to eastern Maine. Thanks for any suggestions. I also think I 80 does not offer much to see at least the first 200 miles east of Ohio

Where does I-90 turn into a toll road?

It isn't in Ohio and wasn't in western PA the last I knew.

Myron

Illinois.In to Wi

Although its been a few few months ago, I made a quick ( about 1200 miles one way) trip up to central Maine to see my parents. It had been a couple of years since I had been up there and was very impressed with the maintenance and condition of the New York thru-way system. They have obviously been very busy. Upstate New York is very picturesque, especially the Amsterdam, Johnstown, Gloversville area.
The tolls in Maine are much more frequent than New York's with worse roads until you get down east of the Portland area an hour or so. From Boston to Portland is fairly busy this time of year, too.

I usually turn north at Columbus, Ohio to Cleveland and then follow Lake Erie to Buffalo. The New York thru-way tolls start there.

It's got tolls in Illinois, to Cleveland, then no tolls til you hit the New York line.

The thruway is going to be the smoothest and quickest route. It's pretty flat, too, roll along at 70 and don't be a butthead and they'll generally leave you alone. You'll leave I90 for a short ways to get around Albany, but it is well marked. Cheap smokes at exit 58, take route 20 east, couple places there on the reservation at the split with rte 5. There's a service plaza in the median just east of there, big hit with kids, you park and walk across a bridge to get to it. If you are going from west of Cleveland, spend the extra few bucks and 5 miles to go to I-280 to I-271, instead of taking I-90 clear through town. It's a lot easier to follow. Use the 271 express lanes.

I-80, to I81, to I84 have no tolls, but you have to deal with Connecticut. Land of the homeless, no one has any place to go so they drive around all day, it seems, the traffic never lets up. And Pennsylvania, where I80 has 2 seasons- winter, and construction. They need to add a lane to both sides clear across and then some climbing lanes after that, but they'll never do it.

Don't forget I-90, to I86, to I81, to I88, back to I90 at Albany. You cut out most of the tolls, nice scenery, but it's a rough ride. Miles are similar to the thruway. And services are a little more sparse. Like the thruway, set the cruise at 4-5 over and don't be a butthead, and you'll be fine. Easy access to a few reservations for cheap smokes, again, if you're so inclined. One at the exit for route 219 south to Bradford, go north a half mile. Casino over closer to Binghamton.

80/81/84 is the shorter route, but not by enough to make up for the traffic.

The next problem, once you get out of Ohio, is the cost of fuel, I've seen a 30 cent jump in the 11 miles from Kingsville, OH, to West Springfield, PA.

crossing NY, use the 90.
tolls aren't really that bad on a one time trip.
good road, good scenery, and some interesting sections
that make you wonder if it could even be built today at all.
(like most of the States big projects)
Taking all secondary roads will put you thru countless 'wide spot in the road' towns with their speed traps.
BTW, don't speed much on the thruway even though it feels like a Super Speedway. Lots of Troopers.
Rest/fuel areas are nice and numerous, but expensive.
Having your own food and snacks will save you a bundle.

T in NE is right but he means 480 instead of 280 around Cleveland.

Use I-90. As stated, the tolls aren't that bad. 70-75 is a safe bet. High side of 75, you are pushing your luck. Sunny side of 80 will get you a ticket every time. Enjoy the scenery. The NE has some of the finest woodland and farm scenery you will ever see. Watch out for the danged deer, epsecially at night. The chances of seeing a bear or a moose crossing the road from Syracuse east is a possbility, too. Remote possibility, but a possibility just the same.

Last time I traveled I86 through Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Alleghany counties in NY it was so rough that it would rattle your teeth out. That was a few years ago but I doubt anything has changed.

Most of the expressways in NY are $hit right now.

We go to Boston a couple of times a year. Usually use 90 but NY tolls are a little steep and gas is higher. I prefer 86 to Binghamton then 88 back to 90 at Albany. Nicer scenery and 88 never has heavy traffic. We can usually do 80+ most of the time.

The NY Thruway is worth the tolls just for the scenery. Enjoy! It is a great trip and view of America.

If I were doing the driving, I'd take 80 to 81 up to Wilkes-Barre and across on 84 into Sturbridge, Mass. A short piece of the Mass Pike gets you to 495. 495 will dump you onto 95 right before the New Hampshire line.

Speaking of cheap fuel...If you decide to go across 84, jump off at NY exit 1. At the bottom of the ramp, hang a left. You'll cross over into NJ and be greeted with 3 or 4 gas stations. NJ has the lowest gas tax in the north east and this spot takes good advantage of it. Plus, they pump it for you.