Upstate NY driving directions needed

[Boondox]

Next weekend I need to drive from Waterbury, Vermont to Mexico, New York (just north of Syracuse). Looks like the weather is going to be mid thirties with showers all the way there and back. I've gone the southern way before, Burlington VT to Albany NY then over to Syracuse on the Thruway, but it's a boring drive once you hit NY State.

Another possibility is over the top of the Adirondacs: Burlington VT to Malone, then either NY 11 to I-81 and south to Mexico...or NY 37 along the St Lawrence River to I-81 and south to Mexico. Sounds much more scenic and the miles are about the same, but are the roads okay up there in bad weather? Not afraid of a little snow or rain, but it makes for slow going on a two-lane highway.

How about some advice from those who live there or have driven that way?

TIA, Pete

 

[VT_Kioti]

Hi Pete
I drive tour coaches for Premier. We work all over that area. The fastest route to get where you want to go is the Malone route. However I would (and we do) do go to the Swanton exit of I-89 and then go west on route 78 to the bridge. I just came over that road Thursday on our way to Detroit. Now there with 11 Premier coaches for the pre week Auto Show. The prettiest route is to cross the lake at Crown Point and cut across the Acdirondack on route 28. You would end up in Utica on I 90 West and then travel to Mexico. BUT it is about 45 min to an hour longer and there is the winter to think about. Tough roads in bad weather.

Al

 

[George2615]

Pete,
I live about 13 miles south of Mexico and I'm used to lake effect storms. The routes you describe would be a much more scenic route. It all depends on the weather. If the forecast is what you say, no problem. If snow is in the forecast you might want to take the thruway route and avoid coming in from the north due to that area being directly in the snow belt and the area just north of Mexico (Parish,Pulaski etc. get hit hard with whiteouts) making for treacherous white knuckle driving. The best thing to do is go online a few days before your trip and look up WIXT 9 TV (WIXT.com) website and look at their weather forecast for the Mexico / Parish / Pulaski area to make sure no lake effect is predicted for that area. You certainly don't want to drive through a lake effect snowfall.
Good luck and a safe trip.

George

 

[Boondox]

Al and George -- Thanks for the firsthand information! Our local weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable more than 36 hours ahead of time, so I take the Weather Channel with a grain of salt. The link to the local weather, and your knowledge of the area, are much appreciated.

Fingers and paws crossed for good driving weather; I really hate driving thru big cities like Albany and Syracuse!

Thanks again! Pete

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Al,
Hey neighbor, hows things in Poultney? Are you near lake Bomossen. Were on Lamb Hill Rd just south of you.

scotty

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Mornin Al,
Hey neighbor, hows things in Poultney? Are you near lake Bomossen. Were on Lamb Hill Rd just south of you.

scotty )</font>

Classic example of highjacking a thread! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[scott_vt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Mornin Al,
Hey neighbor, hows things in Poultney? Are you near lake Bomossen. Were on Lamb Hill Rd just south of you.

scotty )</font>

Classic example of highjacking a thread! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif )</font>

Sorry Pete,
It was in poor taste, my apologies /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

scotty

 

[George2615]

Pete.
I know very little about driving through the Albany area but as far as Syr. goes, if you come across the thruway you get of directly on rte 81N without going through Syr. The thruway exit to 81 is just north of Syr. and makes a smooth transition to go N or S on 81.

George

 

[Boondox]

George -- Thanks. I've gone that way before and it's clear sailing. But I drive a Mini Cooper and live in twisty mountains. The thought of driving a straight line for that distance with the cruise control engaged is positively repulsive! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

 

[Deerlope]

If you take Rt 11 to I- 81 to will pass a mere 6 miles from me. The highways are well plowed and sanded & salted on 11 and 81. Between Potsdam and Canton there are 4 colleges and a lot of people driving to and from Syracuse and other points. Highway maitanence is very good.