anyone ever drive from Utica/ Cooperstown NY

[mommiepoppins]

If you have what route did you use? How long and waht is about 9 hours away? Where did you stay on the way down? Where is bad traffic?

 

[owtrbnks]

Well, we've driven from Albany. Took the Thruway South (I-87) to the Jersey Turnpike to 95 South, all the way to Daytona. Then I-4 West to WDW. We stayed in a hotel. Traffic is bad the whole way. That was years ago. Now we always fly from Albany on Southwest. Much cheaper and less stressful than driving. It only takes 3 hours. We will never drive again!

 

[snowy76]

Hey neighbor! A few people have asked about driving from CNY. Here is a link to a thread about it that might give you tips:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=995294&highlight=drive+syracuse

The poster in the thread above was coming from Syracuse. So you could take the Thruway to 81 and start from there. You can avoid the traffic from NYC, Baltimore and Philly that way. Someone else suggested taking 87 south from Albany but then you hit I-95 earlier and have to deal with the cities I just named.

We've done Syracuse to VA Beach in about 10 hours. About 9 hours will probably get you to Richmond, VA, which is also along I-95.

Edited to add: Total driving time is about 24 hours from what I've heard. If it was us, we'd fly. Jetblue goes from SYR to MCO with connections through New York; and there is Southwest from Albany... both might be worth the drive for you.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Hey, neighbor! I'm in Cortland now, but grew up in Sherburne and taught in Sauquoit. From Cooperstown, I'd just get on 88 to 81. We drove down 81 last June, to 64 in Staunton, VA, and on to 95 from there. We stopped overnight in Gettysburg (about 6 hours from home), so I'd think you could make it to Richmond in 9 hours. While 64 was pretty, I think you'd make better time taking 66 to 17 to 95 farther north, around Fredericksburg (my route coming home). Let me know if you have any questions - I'd be happy to try to answer them, anyway!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Thank you all for the info. When you say bad trafic How bad is it really? Sitting and going no where or crazy drivers . Belive me I would rather fly. Dh hates flying so we re driving. We have family in Va so we will stop for the night.

 

[snowy76]

When you say bad trafic How bad is it really? Sitting and going no where or crazy drivers.

Both, actually.
Rush hour around NY/Philly/Baltimore/DC = gridlock.
Any other time of day= crazy drivers.
And I'm speaking as someone who has lived in Syracuse my whole life but has also made trips to these places several times a year my whole life, having lots of family there. If you're not in what I call the "big city" state of mind for driving, it can get hairy.