Wisconsin to Maine Trip/Travel Questions

We went to Michigan from NH last Fall. So...will try our route in reverse...90 to 80 across PA as 90 in NY is an expensive toll road. Then 81 north to 88 in Binghamton, NY up to Troy/Albany. We then use 7/9 across southern VT. We stay N on 9 up to Concord, NH, but at least this gives you an idea on an alternate route to the east. Hope it helps.

I probably would do I-90 to I-86 to I-88, and then NY7 to VT9 to NH9 to US202. (Around Albany, that involves taking I-90E to I-87N to get to NY7. The Thruway is free of charge for travel between I-88 and I-87.) This is basically loggenrock's route, except substituting I-90 / I-86 for I-80 / I-81.

Brook BBQ chicken in Oneonta on 88 in NY is worth the stop. Closed on Monday.. DrewE's routes is what I'd do as well if you want to avoid tolls in NY. 88 is kinda rough in right lane for quite a ways. Nice drive w/ a couple good hills. 86 is pretty as well.

I-88 is rough between Exits 19 & 20 in the right lane, the rest of I-88 has been repaved in the Western end and East & West after Exit 23. Left lane both directions always seem smoothest. Construction is at the Binghamton I-81 interchange.

If you hear someone mention the "Southern Tier Expressway" that is what the I-88 & I-81 are called and not only is it bags less expensive that the NYTW, it is for my money much prettier ride.

Matt

Matt_Colie wrote:
If you hear someone mention the "Southern Tier Expressway" that is what the I-88 & I-81 are called and not only is it bags less expensive that the NYTW, it is for my money much prettier ride.

Matt

Actually, the Southern Tier Expwy is Rtes 17/86, not 81/88. 88 is known as the the Warren Anderson hiway named after a local politician from the Binghamton area years ago as he wanted a hi speed mode of travel to Albany from Bing. by car.

Great information and replies so far. I appreciate it all! You all are awesome.

Any Rest Stops/Truck Stops/Travel Centers you prefer or stay away from? We'll probably stop at a few for a bit of sleep and of course some fueling up along the way.

Haven't used them for an overnight, but some OH Turnpike rest areas have overnight RV spots including hookups. We use a couple Walmarts north of Binghamton, NY on I-88 to overnight. RVParky is our go-to app to find quick overnight stops. Once you are in VT/NH/ME except for Walmarts overnight stops are much more limited. One of the reasons we have moved away from I-90 across NY and MA (besides the $$$ tolls...) is the difficulty in finding overnight stops. ST

I would suggest an I-Pass if do not already have one. Cheaper tolls and is good on the entire route to ME. No need to stop at toll booths.

I traveled I90 east to I95. Then I95 to ME. That was 12 years ago. I have no idea what the tolls are today. Back then I had a truck & TT.

sprint99 wrote:
Great information and replies so far. I appreciate it all! You all are awesome.

Any Rest Stops/Truck Stops/Travel Centers you prefer or stay away from? We'll probably stop at a few for a bit of sleep and of course some fueling up along the way.

Look for Pliot/Flying J in NE Ohio. If possible avoid getting fuel in PA ($$$$). Pilot's in NY are on ave about 40-50 cents more per gallon on diesel than if you know where the locals go. I know that doesn't help you much....LOL

But if you come across 17/86 to Binghamton to 81 N to 88 East, am not sure, but may be a diesel stop near the Salmanca Reservation on western end of 17/86. Otherwise, Smokies/TA at bottom of 390 where it meets up with 17/86. Hickory Run campground very close by here as well. Nice place.

On 88, Exit 12 (just before Oneonta) is a private truck stop, but many stop there and I think they have decent parking. Last exit on 88 just before getting onto 90 is a Pilot. Not a whole lotta room to park. IMO, you'd be better off doing 2 things if you can get past here. 1. Either stop at the Guilderland service plaza (McD's) on 90 for fuel and place to park (approx 6 miles once on 90 E). 2. Stop at Scotty's Truck stop on 87 (Northway), exit 16---36 miles north of Albany. Lots of parking, fuel prices probly between the Pilot and service plaza. Resturant on site too. After here, you have the 3 CG's mentioned on 149 but DrewE will have to chime in for fuel stops (assuming you have a diesel) once past Scotty's.

88 is 119 miles long w/ Oneonta being about 1/2 way between Bing and Albany. Albany to Lake George is about 50 miles. Really not too sure about CG's along 88.