Community Forums

garysfb · 09-19-2021, 07:18 AM

We're traveling from Niagara Falls to the Lake Placid KOA. Our Rand McNally tells us to go through Syracuse then north on !-81 to Watertown. Then it has us taking Hwy 3 east to Lake Placid. Google Maps shows to stay on !-90 and take 365/8 over to I-87 then Hwy 73 on up to the KOA. There is a third alternative further south staying even further on I-90 and eventually to I-87 on up.

We've never been in this part of New York so we're looking for some thoughts on the three routes. They show to be within 10 minutes travel time of each other so our priority is which affords the best scenery and is OK to drive our Anthem with a tow. I don't mind slow and curvy but not too crazy.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

JohnArch · 09-19-2021, 07:32 AM

I think Route 3 is an easier route to drive your rig then Route 73. Rt 3 will bring you thru Saranac and Tupper Lake regions. Rt.73 is more mountainous and narrow. Your difficult area will be downtown Lake Placid as its always busy and narrow but doable. The road the KOA is on will be a bit of a challenge also. This is beautiful country and if your going soon you will deal with the leaf peeper traffic. Also the Lake Placid fire department has a small campground with full hook ups - not downtown business area but just off the main street. I can give you the contact name and number if you would like to PM me. Its free or almost anyway!

Gary.Jones · 09-19-2021, 12:06 PM

Gary

Just my opinion....

If I get conflicting routes between my on-board Rand McNally, versus Dee's Garmin, versus some source such as Google Maps, I ALWAYS AM GOING TO BELIEVE THE Rand McNally most as its the only one that factors in my weight, my length, and my height. Then, if there are differences across sources with a tendency preference toward the Rand-McNally, then I confirm that preference against my Rand-McNally Deluxe Motor Carriers' Road Atlas which highlights in yellow any road that is approved for use by semi-tractor trailer rigs. If the coach Rand McNally says a route is best, and it is confirmed by the Motor Carrier's Motor Carrier's Atlas, then that always is the way we travel....

That process has never failed me for a rig this size (I ignore the fact that I am towing the Honda in overall length and weight issues in my coach specs).

I give no credence to my Google results or my "auto-assuming" Garmin GPS routes. They are irrelevant to my routing IMO !!

Gary

buddy110 · 09-19-2021, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysfb

We're traveling from Niagara Falls to the Lake Placid KOA. Our Rand McNally tells us to go through Syracuse then north on !-81 to Watertown. Then it has us taking Hwy 3 east to Lake Placid. Google Maps shows to stay on !-90 and take 365/8 over to I-87 then Hwy 73 on up to the KOA. There is a third alternative further south staying even further on I-90 and eventually to I-87 on up.

We've never been in this part of New York so we're looking for some thoughts on the three routes. They show to be within 10 minutes travel time of each other so our priority is which affords the best scenery and is OK to drive our Anthem with a tow. I don't mind slow and curvy but not too crazy.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

We live near 87. 87 becomes the north way north of the intersection of 90 and 87. The north away is a straight shot up. Not sure if # is the proper route from there.

Winemaker2 · 09-19-2021, 03:30 PM

I've driven all of those many times mostly with van or SUV. When taking our MH we usually will go east all the way to I87 N. 73 is a little windy but shorter than 3.
Both are decent 2 lane roads.

I frequently go one way and return the other as they are both scenic rides.

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garysfb · 09-20-2021, 04:42 PM

Thanks for your input [emoji106] I usually trust RM to give me the best route as Gary said based on my coach's height, weight and length. But I've been burned twice and needed some advice. I took the RM route based on all your input and all went well. There is roadwork going on in Lake Placid necessitating a detour, but no problems. Very pretty drive!

GonetoRaces · 09-20-2021, 05:29 PM

If you are heading South on the return take 87 and stop into Lake George it’s really nice there around the lake. It is touristy but the season has probably come to a close so you can enjoy the scenery without swarms of people.

If you are heading South West from there take 1-90 and stop at The Villages at the Turning Stone at exit 33. There is a shuttle that will take you to casino and enjoy a nice dinner with many different choices from fine dining, quick eats or buffet. All of the dining is reasonable. if you like gambling or high stakes bingo lots of that and if you are a golfer they have multiple very nice courses for all skill levels.

garysfb · 09-20-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonetoRaces

If you are heading South on the return take 87 and stop into Lake George it’s really nice there around the lake. It is touristy but the season has probably come to a close so you can enjoy the scenery without swarms of people.

If you are heading South West from there take 1-90 and stop at The Villages at the Turning Stone at exit 33. There is a shuttle that will take you to casino and enjoy a nice dinner with many different choices from fine dining, quick eats or buffet. All of the dining is reasonable. if you like gambling or high stakes bingo lots of that and if you are a golfer they have multiple very nice courses for all skill levels.

Thanks! Might take a day trip down to Lake George. Headed to New Hampshire next week.