Traveling Midwest to Upstate NY below Ottawa

[Americanrascal]

Taking a 26 ft TT from Missouri to upstate New York next week. Traveling via Indianapolis then up to NY State Thruway, then up I-81 to our destination.
Have winterized the rig before leaving.

Any ideas, recommendations or suggestions to make this a safer trip towing?

We are aware the weather had been pretty rough up that way for the past month but need to make this trip. We do not plan to spend any time in the trailer.

[nothermark]

Watch the weather with the stretch between Erie, PA and Buffalo. Run it in the daytime as you will most likely have snow coming off Lake Erie.

Same problem north of Syracuse to Watertown, NY. They get way more snow there.

I don't think there is a good way around either place. The rest of the trip through NY and PA is a matter of picking your mountains and snow bands.

I'd probably overnight between Rochester and N Syracuse then turn and burn where you are dropping off the trailer. Otherwise, if you are staying overnight, have a long visit at the end point.



Never let the gas tank get below half. Pack a crash bag inside the Tow Vehicle with extra warm clothes and food that won't freeze. You probably won't need it but if you get stuck on the Thruway because of an accident blocking the road you will be glad you have it.

[Regnillub]

Keep an eye on the weather radar for lake effect snow south of Buffalo and north of Syracuse. Consider hopping off route 90 near the PA border onto route 86, and take that across the southern tier of New York. Pick up route 36 north to Dansville, then route 390 up to route 90. That'll bypass some of the crappy lake effect weather south of Buffalo. On the plus side we're really good up here about taking care of the roads in the winter. Good luck with your drive!

[Americanrascal]

Thanks folks- good points ---all absorbed!!

[nothermark]

FWIW if you decide to run the southern bypass consider that I-390 is a ridge running route - the wind keeps the snow blown clear. It tends to be windy. I'd look at Rt 36 or Rt 15 north to Rt 20 then east to 390. Mostly good 2 lane following the valleys. Much less wind exposure, a bit slower, about the same time due to reduced distance.

If you want to you can skip more tolls by staying on Rt 20 to Rt 414N and pick up the Thruway at the Waterloo exit. I'd go to the Thruway there as further east 20 becomes a hill climber as it drops further south.

[bigjim1959]

Good luck, pack the long johns. -30 degrees and colder this past week for several nights. We are bailing to FL. Saturday 1/6. We are 20 minutes North of Watertown.

And yes, daytime is a must, if you see the signs touting lake effect ahead, take a break and collect yourself. 20' visibility is not at all uncommon.

https://www.wunderground.com/forecas...=localwx_10day

The small arrows indicate wind direction, when it is from the West, extra vigilance is called for.

Good travels!

[bigjim1959]

I hope today is not the day you are passing by this mess.

At least 75 vehicles involved in crash on Thruway | wivb.com

[Americanrascal]

Thanks all-- early next week for the trip