Best Driving Route from Pittsburgh PA to Cooperstown NY (Erie: college, price)

[Statz2k10]

I'm going to be in Pittsburgh in mid May. From there I'll be going to Cooperstown, NY (Hall of Fame).

Google shows me 2 main routes.

Up I79 past Erie PA through Buffalo and past Syracuse to Cooperstown.

The other is I99 through PA up through Binghamton.

The difference in time between the two right now is literally 1 minute which makes me want to take the more scenic route. I notice the #1 route goes along Lake Erie which probably opens up areas to check out the Lake and maybe some beautiful sights but I know driving through middle of PA and NY could also offer some great scenic views which is why I'm asking here.

I plan on doing this in one day as the estimated time is about 6.75 hours and have a lot to do after Cooperstown so I don't want to spend to much time getting off my route. However, if one of the 2 options or both have really interesting/older towns to go through I have no problem doing that if it only adds 30 minutes to my trip. So any recommendations on cool little towns on either route is welcomed!

I know one of these routes is focusing more in NY but maybe some suggestions for the #2 route in this forum. Thanks

[RetireinPA]

if it was not winter and you wanted to see some land, Id take #2.


But the real best way to get to cooperstown? Bat .363 for 14 years with a good SLUG and decent fielding stats.

[Statz2k10]

Originally Posted by RetireinPA

if it was not winter and you wanted to see some land, Id take #2.


But the real best way to get to cooperstown? Bat .363 for 14 years with a good SLUG and decent fielding stats.

Haha. I gotcha!

[Ohiogirl81]

I-90 is the New York Thruway, if tolls are an issue for you. If you still want to take I-79 north to Erie, you could take I-90 east to I-86 across southern New York to Binghamton, and proceed to Cooperstown from there - not sure if that would add time or not.

You don't see much of Lake Erie from I-90 - in Pennsylvania, the road is built on a ridge but it's not close enough for a lake view. As you drive farther east, near the New York state line, the highway comes down off the ridge onto the lake plain, and that's when you'll get some pretty views, but they don't last long. The shore is maybe a 2-3 mile detour from the highway, depending on where you are.

I've only taken I-99 from Bedford north to State College, or from Corning NY south to Williamsport. I found both legs to be tediously boring for some reason.

Cooperstown is such a cool place. The surrounding lakeside and countryside is beautiful, the town is so cute, and the hall of fame is more than worth the price of admission. I'm jealous!

[Statz2k10]

Thanks Ohiogirl!

[RetireinPA]

it dawns on me you are in pitt and could use i99....get to I99 by using 22. its not the shortest, but it is the most scenic. you do that, you get to see half the ridges and hollers PA has to offer.

[Statz2k10]

Originally Posted by RetireinPA

it dawns on me you are in pitt and could use i99....get to I99 by using 22. its not the shortest, but it is the most scenic. you do that, you get to see half the ridges and hollers PA has to offer.

I just checked google maps and happened to land in an area with beautiful sights so I know what you mean. Doesn't look like I99 is that long though. What would be your next direction once 99 runs out.

This actually could work but important because when I'm in Pittsburgh I want to make sure I'm outside the main city in the direction I'll be heading.

[RetireinPA]

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

Doesn't look like I99 is that long though. What would be your next direction once 99 runs out.

north! lol. its all gonna be scenic and along the quaint side. since ya gotta go up, ya gotta go down, do both

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

I just checked google maps and happened to land in an area with beautiful sights so I know what you mean. Doesn't look like I99 is that long though. What would be your next direction once 99 runs out.

It's kinda tricky. 99 officially ends at I80 northeast of State College. From there, you would take 80; east to US220 North to Williamsport, and US15 North to i-86 east in Corning. US 15 is a freeway most of the way from Williamsport to Corning.

If I remember correctly, the plan is for 99 to extend north using that route once the roads are brought to interstate standards.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by RetireinPA

if it was not winter and you wanted to see some land, Id take #2.


But the real best way to get to cooperstown? Bat .363 for 14 years with a good SLUG and decent fielding stats.

Decent on base pct. and WAR (wins above replacement [player]) will help too. And don't get caught using PEDs.