And I think I know the area that you are talking about in NY ( my wife's family is in the Clymer/Jamestown area), both Rochester and Cleveland are options that should be in the 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive range. AA seems to run three non stops per day from either airport to DCA. UA doesn't appear to have any current non stops from either ROC or CLE.
You could also fly BUF,ROC, CLE , or WAS via Jetblue with one stop from each city.