DrewE wrote:
Where in upstate NY are you? I-78 seems to me to go more to NYC and its suburbs than what I think of as upstate New York, but perhaps that's a problem in my understanding of what upstate encompasses.
My favored route from Vermont to Florida is crossing into New York, then I-87 to I-88 to I-81, and then take I-77 to I-26 to I-95. From further west in New York it may make sense to take I-81 all the way, or I-390 to I-86 to I-81, or maybe I-87 to I-84 to I-81 if south of Albany.
Based on OP's sig, he's above Albany. That being said, 2 choices for him to avoid DC/Balt or 3 actually. Take the routes you suggested OR wait to leave until nighttime and go down 87 to NJ and p/u 95 there then thru DC/Balt between 10pm and 4am