Cafe dwellers, I need advice from someone who knows! I have a business trip to Pittsburgh scheduled in late September and I’d like to tag on a weekend visit to relatives in Binghamton. I can’t find any direct or even conveniently timed flights from Pittsburgh to either Binghamton or Syracuse. Drive time looks to be about 5 hours so I thought I’d just rent a car and head out early Friday morning. My family sounds horrified by the idea. Am I missing something? Do you have any advice for me?
Why would your family be horrified by a five hour drive?
I think it’s more like 6 to 7 hours, but why not? It’s not like there’s going to be a blizzard in September.
If you come into New York State on I-81, slow down when you cross the state line. There’s a 55 MPH speed limit and an abundance of cops in the area.
Late September could be a nice time for a scenic drive. It will probably be a little too early for prime fall foliage but you might get lucky. Using Apple maps, driving from Pittsburgh through Williamsport to Binghamton is 5 hr. 14 minutes.
@alwaysamom, I think they are concerned about bad roads. I drive all over California and from what I can tell, they won’t be any worse than what I’m used to! Thanks, @marian! I haven’t determined the best route yet, speed traps are a definite concern. @lotsofquests - I miss fall foliage in CA; a girl can hope for fall colors…
Road issues not a problem although there is likely still to be construction on I-81 North which appears to be endless. It is just that most people don’t realize that Pennsylvania is a really long state to drive through. I cannot image that there would be many flight options really from Pittsburgh to Syracuse.
Not to mention that it would still be an hour-and-a-half drive from the Syracuse airport to Binghamton. I doubt you would save any time flying from Pittsburgh to Syracuse.
Five hours seems aggressive to me, but under six, sure. We do that kind of a drive regularly to see relatives for a day or two. The route I would take (which would not be through Williamsport) would be all-interstate, but even if you went through Williamsport it would be almost all interstates (and if you took 15 north to Corning, that’s a significant highway, too). (The Corning-to-Binghamton stretch on I-86 always takes much longer than it looks.)
I mentioned the route through Williamsport because my map app showed it to be 30 minutes shorter than 81 at the time I looked. Driving 81 during my son’s four years at Lafayette, I know there can be a big variation in time due to traffic around Harrisburg or construction. I would check a map app closer to time of departure to see the variations.
15 up to 86, which used to be 17, is a pretty drive much of the way but it is not all divided highway. It’s almost all four lanes but much of it is going to have stoplights. You’ll go through towns that will slow things down but will also afford you places to stop for a break, or coffee or lunch, or gas. The part along the river north of Harrisburg is very pretty and then the upper part of that route, which is divided highway, is also nice but is somewhat remote so be sure that you stop and fill up, both yourself and your car, before you get to the top third of that trip.
I don’t know what the construction on 81 is like at the moment but that might be worth checking on closer to the date
It’s a beautiful drive. Consider cutting across route 6 up into Binghamton. And I agree about the cops - they are everywhere once you cross into NYS; so watch your speed and do not use a cell phone.
You have all been so helpful, many thanks. Driving sounds like the better option and now I’m getting excited about the journey!
Would it be possible to do a one-way car rental (sometimes pricey( and fly home from Binghamton?
If I were taking the route through Williamsport, I wouldn’t take 15 all the way up from Harrisburg. There are lots of traffic lights, etc., on that route. But if memory serves, 15 between Williamsport and Corning is pretty good highway.
@colorado_mom, that’s the plan, though I’ll return from Syracuse. Thanks, @JHS! I stopped at AAA this weekend to pick up a PA/NY map so I can review everyone’s suggestions. Old school, but I like maps
Door-to-door, driving is competitive time-wise vs flying.
One of the most useful things I ever bought is a windshield mount (it’s got a suction cup) for my smart phone. Google maps is VERY RELIABLE for GPS automobile navigation. Get a long USB cable to keep your phone charged as you drive.
Plus, Yelp is great for finding nearby restaurants, stores, gas stations, etc.
Have fun! I am envious of your road trip.
I have a lot of success with Waze for navigating. I too use good old fashioned maps as well. A few minutes off a chosen path can lead to a lot of wonderful adventures.
I agree about it being a nice drive as long as you aren’t doing it in the rain. Take your time and call it a road trip!