I-90 alternative thru New York

sdianel wrote:
since we're on the NY road topic, we're going from Owego to Verona. Taking 17E to I-81N. Don't want to get on I-90. Want to cut east at either US20 or NY5. Have plenty of time and enjoy the scenery. Have 34' Class A with toad. Hills not a bother. Or any other routes to consider avoiding freeways and tolls?

One interesting alternative might be NY 96B to NY 13 and thence to NY 5 (or US 20 if preferred). I've only been on a bit of NY 13 over that route at all recently (southwest of I-81); I think the whole of it should be a reasonable route, though, and pretty.

(At first I misread Owego as Oswego and was rather confused by your planned routes....)

since we're on the NY road topic, we're going from Owego to Verona. Taking 17E to I-81N. Don't want to get on I-90. Want to cut east at either US20 or NY5. Have plenty of time and enjoy the scenery. Have 34' Class A with toad. Hills not a bother. Or any other routes to consider avoiding freeways and tolls?

Red Eagle wrote:
Wound up driving from Rutland,Vt over to I-87 and down to I-90, getting on at Fultondale area.When I got off at MM19 in Buffalo, I was charged $44 for that 240 mile stretch, since I was pulling a 30' 5er with my GMC 2500 truck. NOT coming back to New York. New York officials should be ashamed to treat tourists like that, when you want them to come, camp and spend money in your state.

$.18 or $.19 per mile really doesn't seem too outlandish for a dually truck plus fifth wheel RV to me, as toll roads go. The NY Thruway is certainly not the lowest cost toll road, but also hardly the most expensive. It does happen to be longer than many, which can make the total tab rather expensive at the end.

The Ohio turnpike would be about the same cost per mile for your vehicle, for example. The Mass pike is a little cheaper ($.13 or $.14 per mile). The PA turnpike is more expensive. Toll roads in general are no fun.

Red Eagle wrote:
Wound up driving from Rutland,Vt over to I-87 and down to I-90, getting on at Fultondale area.When I got off at MM19 in Buffalo, I was charged $44 for that 240 mile stretch, since I was pulling a 30' 5er with my GMC 2500 truck. NOT coming back to New York. New York officials should be ashamed to treat tourists like that, when you want them to come, camp and spend money in your state.

You should have taken a little more time and seen some more of that beautiful area, then the cost of the roads and bridges would not sting so much.

Don't feel bad New Yorkers pay the same as you do!

Come back in the Fall you will be rewarded, especially if you only drive 100 miles a day.(then you could use the non toll roads like the locals)

JMHO,

Wound up driving from Rutland,Vt over to I-87 and down to I-90, getting on at Fultondale area.When I got off at MM19 in Buffalo, I was charged $44 for that 240 mile stretch, since I was pulling a 30' 5er with my GMC 2500 truck. NOT coming back to New York. New York officials should be ashamed to treat tourists like that, when you want them to come, camp and spend money in your state.

Hwy 20 is my preferred route when I have the time. But I am going back and forth from MA. I just love the scenery and towns and not having to pay the toll. I would second the Hwy 3 and 104 route though for coming from Vermont. That too has some great scenery and it a pleasure to drive.

Doug

US 20 is OK, although lots of rolling hills. I usually cross upstate NY on NY 3 & NY 104. Definitely slower than I 90, but it is more interesting & ends up in Niagara Falls. Part of it is the Seaway Trail. 2 lane most of the way with the usual small towns along the way. You might want to loop around Rochester rather than drive through it.

Most anyplace in Vermont to Niagara Falls is a long enough trip in itself that I personally would take the thruway for whatever length made sense. US20 is not a bad road, but it is definitely slower going.

If you're in northern Vermont and have appropriate documentation and so forth, going through Canada would also be a viable option.

Us 20 in it's self, is not a bad road, lots of small towns, stop lights, & lower speed limits, depends on the amount of time you have, if on a strict schedule, just suck it up & take the thru way (I-90),
I too always griped about the tolls, until I just took a toll road here in Va., I pay $2.33 with my Class C W/Toad on a dolly, for 16 mi. on the NY thruway, Tuesday, I paid $4.00 to go roughly 7 mi. on the Pocahontas Pkwy near Richmond.
Only you can determine value, time vs cost.

I live close to route 20…it is a nice scenic route and was once considered a major interstate across New York State. The road is in good shape but it is not an interstate. There are some four-lane sections as well as Two-lane sections going through small towns with stop lights. That being said, consider your average speed on this road to be 10 to 15 mph slower than an interstate. If you're on a tight schedule I would not take this road otherwise it could be a nice change of pace. Also if you're moving too slow on route 20 you could always hop back on I-90 .