Harrisburg to Ithaca -- I-81 or US-15? (Williamsport, Shamokin: restaurants, mall)

[Wallop the Spot]

I'll be driving from Northern Virginia to Ithaca, NY, for the first time. Mapquest and Google Maps suggest alternative routes north of Harrisburg: I-81 or US-15. According to these map services, the distance and travel time of the one route is not much different than the other (US-15 a bit shorter in distance; I-81 possibly shorter in travel time). I would like to take the route that is the most "pleasant" (scenery-, traffic-, and time-wise). For those familiar with both routes, I would appreciate you're advice on which to take. Thanks.

[Wells5]

US 15 goes through many urban areas with lots of traffic and traffic lights. NY 17/I-86 is a traffic nightmare and NY 13 from Horseheads to Ithaca is a 2 lane heavily travelled and twisty road.


Take I-81 to NY 26 east to NY 11/79. Fast and simple.

[Wallop the Spot]

Thank you!

[PAhippo]

Actually from Williamsport north rte 15 is pretty similar to 81. An expressway, 2 lanes in each direction. Sometimes 3 up hills so slower traffic can pull over. Speed limit most of the way is 70.

Not sure about south of Williamsport as I never go that way.

at the NYS line, 15 become 99 to Corning, pick up 17/86, then 13. That'd be all expressway until 13.

[CookieSkoon]

In my opinion 15 is a prettier route. If you are looking for scenery it's purely beautiful from Williamsport all the way into Corning.

81 definitely sees more traffic.

Also 86 and 13 are nowhere near as bad as Wells5 made them sound.

[PAhippo]

I don't think the OP is coming back. Oh, well. We tried.

[Wallop the Spot]

Hi all,
Thanks for the additional advice. I suspected that US-15 might be a prettier route than I-81, but looking (at a map) at all the towns it goes through between Harrisburg and Williamsport has me worried about getting stuck behind a slow poke (not that I'm in that big a hurry). I'll be traveling on a Sunday, so maybe US-15 wouldn't be so bad on that day? If Wells5 is still looking in, may I ask if NY17/I-86 would be a "traffic nightmare" on a Sunday afternoon?
Thanks again!

[Wells5]

Maybe I exaggerated a little but the section between Corning and Elmira is like a "miracle mile." There's the big Arnot Mall and lots of restaurants and "big box" retailers. Busy on Sundays too.


If you go the Rt 15 way, you can easily get stuck in traffic around the Shamokin Dam/Selinsgrove area. Rt. 15 from Shamokin Dam to Williamsport is heavily travelled and mostly 3 lanes. Then there is the big hill between Allenwood and South Williamsport, which can be scary especially if you are sandwiched between 2_ 18 wheelers.

[Wallop the Spot]

I don't need that. Sounds like I-81 is the way to go.

[chessimprov]

I usually take I-15, all the way, but I also head west of Corning afterward and not Ithaca.
Much of I-15 is highway now unlike 10 years ago or so and 70 mph speed limit in some parts.