Conditions of I-81 thru PA

As of a couple months ago, pretty much normal: some construction here and there, some congestion, not the world's smoothest highway, but not terribly rough either. The speed limit is 55 for a fair few miles of it through some of the urban areas.

Depending on where you are in New York ("Central New York" is a pretty broad area), US 15 might be a good option, too. Between New York and Williamsport (at least) it's practically an interstate highway.