Upstate NY driving directions needed

tawilson · Jan 7, 2006

I live on Rt. 37 just north of Watertown. I've worked in Plattsburgh quite a bit, and another option is Rt. 3 thru the mountains, then cut across to pick up Rt. 11 in Gouverneur. Nice roads and it takes you through Saranac and Tupper Lake. If you're taking the ferry across near Ausable, there's a way to cut thru Lake Placid that's not far off course. It's been a while, so hopefully I haven't gotten things too screwed up. I know I tried every which way I could too get there, and there was never much difference in time, just the scenery along the way. Route 37 along the St. Lawrence is a nice ride too. Course when they get the Northway done you'll be able to get there in about 3 hours. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif By the way, do you know the difference between upstate and northern NY?

Deerlope · Jan 7, 2006

tawilson, What is you version of upstate and Northern NY.

Boondox · Jan 7, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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. )</font>

That's great info -- thanks! What's the difference between Rt 11 and Rt 37; is one more lanes or better maintained?

If you see a yellow Mini Cooper Friday with gold flake dog paws up one side and down the other, wave to me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

tawilson · Jan 7, 2006

Down my way 11 and 37 are both mostly single lane. 11 goes to double lane near Fort Drum. 11 is probably the better road with more opportunities to pass if you get behind some slow traffic. Watch the speed limit coming into Philadelphia. Long straightaway and the 30 mph comes up before you know it.
The way I've got it figured, upstate is anything north of NYC, and Northern is anything north of the thruway. I'm sure there's different views, depending where you live.

Boondox · Jan 8, 2006

Thanks, Tom.

I always thought of northern NY as above the Thruway, and Upstate as the Adirondacks/Finger Lakes area.

I sure would like to drive 3 all the way, but with the ice in Lake Champlain the ferry isn't running. It would mean a bit of backtracking. So if the weather holds it looks like 11, if not, the Thruway

tawilson · Jan 8, 2006

Oh yeah, I forgot about the ice. Probably not enough to drive across. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And those are my interpretations of upstate/northern NY. I know I've heard news reporters refer to the Albany area as upstate. Have a nice ride. I hope you are not doing it all in one day.

kevincook · Jan 9, 2006

Pete,

Good luck with your trip. For future reference, Route 3 is a surprisingly good road to drive on. It doesn't look like it on the map but you can drive 60-65 for most of the length of the road.

Kevin