Philadelphia to Niagra Falls best route to tow

[stantyszka]

Headed up this way over the summer, pulling my 30 foot TT to a half ton. 76 to 81 to 90 looks like least confusing route but is it the most forgiving for inclines?

Is there a better route?

[Knoxie89]

There's really not a non-hilly route no matter what you do for this trip. 81/90 would be simplest but will have tolls from Syracuse to Buffalo.

If I were you I would go 86 to 390 to 90 and time it so that I could stop in Corning, NY at the Corning Museum of glass. It's a interesting place, they have things for all ages.

I also personally like traveling 390 a little better. (I've never towed on 390, but I have driven our RV that route.

[Secarider]

It seems I always hit 90 on weekends. That road can be a total nightmare. Two lanes for long periods of time with these drivers who love the left lane causing these road rage drivers swerving in and out. I would try to drive it during the week. Last summer we drove from Cleveland ohio to Portland Maine, most of the way on 90, lots of construction. I guess that is the norm. Good luck

[Knoxie89]

Originally Posted by Secarider

It seems I always hit 90 on weekends. That road can be a total nightmare. Two lanes for long periods of time with these drivers who love the left lane causing these road rage drivers swerving in and out. I would try to drive it during the week. Last summer we drove from Cleveland ohio to Portland Maine, most of the way on 90, lots of construction. I guess that is the norm. Good luck

That's another good point. 90 is perpetual construction, especially between Buf and Roc. If you go 390 there's a way to cut over that google suggests and shortens your time on 90 even more.

[dblr]

Not to mention but going 390 will safe a little bit on you toll bill.

[dblr]

I just remembered there is a route off of 390 that would take you towards Darien Lake amusement park, it is a state highway but well traveled road all tho a bit slower and longer but a nice drive, will try to track it down it's been a while since out that way. This would bring you even farther west to get on 90 and close to Niagra, looks like 63 to 20 but would watch for signs.

[EXGMTech]

Originally Posted by stantyszka

Headed up this way over the summer, pulling my 30 foot TT to a half ton. 76 to 81 to 90 looks like least confusing route but is it the most forgiving for inclines?

Is there a better route?

where are you staying ...Niagara Falls?

[Knoxie89]

Originally Posted by dblr

looks like 63 to 20 but would watch for signs.

yeah, 390->63 is a good cut over if you don't need to go to ROC, but 20 and any of the other smaller roads have a lot of speed limit changes and small towns. Plus since they have to go north to Niagra Falls it would save them more time just jumping on 90 for the 3 exits to get on 290.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZdGPGoQvXky

That is the route I would take if I was to do it.

[dblr]

Originally Posted by Knoxie89

yeah, 390->63 is a good cut over if you don't need to go to ROC, but 20 and any of the other smaller roads have a lot of speed limit changes and small towns. Plus since they have to go north to Niagra Falls it would save them more time just jumping on 90 for the 3 exits to get on 290.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZdGPGoQvXky

That is the route I would take if I was to do it.

Ok good advice I just remember going that way to Darien, to bad as it was a nice drive

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

where are you staying ...Niagara Falls?

We want to get close to the area and make the falls a day trip. Im most worried about the tow up and back. Lots of good route suggestions and ideas though.

[RetiredAF1955-1981]

If you use the 390 Route, Do not take Route 20 to Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Reason being at Warsaw NY there is hills that require detours for large vehicles. I would take 86 over to 219 north to 90 right at Buffalo. If you want to take a break in your trip, at 86 and 219 there is a Indian Casino and Gas Stations for cheap fuel. Also Allegany State park is there for camping. It makes a nice break in your trip.

[windowman]

Turnpike West to Harrisburg, Eastern beltway around Harrisburg 283 I think, up 15 to Williamsport, then Corning, west ON 390 towards Rochester, rt 20A west then to 90, & 990 to Niagara Falls. Have been going that way for over 40 years, 15 used to be a 2 lane slow route, now almost completely super highway. A few hilly parts but very scenic and approximately 7 hrs driving

[3 for the Road]

If you want scenery on your drive you could take PA 476 to I-80 west to I-180 north to 15 north (I-99) to 17 west (I-86) to 390 to I-90 west to Buffalo. Route 15 north (I-99) north of Williamsport Pa is a great and new four lane through some pretty country.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by windowman

Turnpike West to Harrisburg, Eastern beltway around Harrisburg 283 I think, up 15 to Williamsport, then Corning, west ON 390 towards Rochester, rt 20A west then to 90, & 990 to Niagara Falls. Have been going that way for over 40 years, 15 used to be a 2 lane slow route, now almost completely super highway. A few hilly parts but very scenic and approximately 7 hrs driving

Looks like this route bypasses 81. Having been on 81 heading south to VA from PA I thought it was a decent road to travel. Never been on it North from PA to NY. Difference experience?

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by 3 for the Road

If you want scenery on your drive you could take PA 476 to I-80 west to I-180 north to 15 north (I-99) to 17 west (I-86) to 390 to I-90 west to Buffalo. Route 15 north (I-99) north of Williamsport Pa is a great and new four lane through some pretty country.

Good suggestion. Part of the journey is taking in the scenes. Oddly enough, seems like I (the driver) am the one that takes in the scenery. Rest of passengers are either asleep, or glued to electronics. I don't think I am alone with that scenario. One of the reasons I enjoy towing as much as I do. With a top speed of 63-65 MPH you get a chance to take in the scenery a little more than if you were doing 75-80...or 95 on 95.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by RetiredAF1955-1981

If you use the 390 Route, Do not take Route 20 to Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Reason being at Warsaw NY there is hills that require detours for large vehicles. I would take 86 over to 219 north to 90 right at Buffalo. If you want to take a break in your trip, at 86 and 219 there is a Indian Casino and Gas Stations for cheap fuel. Also Allegany State park is there for camping. It makes a nice break in your trip.

Good to know about the detours. My biggest worry on this trip are the hills. We are going to be a few hundred pounds below weight so it will be slow and steady on some of the inclines.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by Knoxie89

There's really not a non-hilly route no matter what you do for this trip. 81/90 would be simplest but will have tolls from Syracuse to Buffalo.

If I were you I would go 86 to 390 to 90 and time it so that I could stop in Corning, NY at the Corning Museum of glass. It's a interesting place, they have things for all ages.

I also personally like traveling 390 a little better. (I've never towed on 390, but I have driven our RV that route.

Thanks for the info. This will be our first trip into NY with our camper. We were looking at New Hampshire and Mass but I don't think I am "ready" mentally to tackle getting out of NJ and past NYC.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by Knoxie89

yeah, 390->63 is a good cut over if you don't need to go to ROC, but 20 and any of the other smaller roads have a lot of speed limit changes and small towns. Plus since they have to go north to Niagra Falls it would save them more time just jumping on 90 for the 3 exits to get on 290.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZdGPGoQvXky

That is the route I would take if I was to do it.

I'm printing those directions out!