Driving New York to Niagara Falls
 

Hi there!

Next July, we are planning a trip to USA/Canada, arriving into JFK from HKG at night. Because of the time difference, jet lag etc, we thought it might be a good idea to begin driving from JFK up to Niagara Falls, then on to Toronto. As we get in at 9.20pm, we would like to see if we can travel a good 3-4 hrs before stopping for the night.

Any suggestions as to where to stop, what the traffic conditions will be like out of JFK? We're not particularly keen on seeing NYC but would rather head away from the crowds.

Thanks in advance!

If you're looking for more than just a place to stop for the night, and if it's within your budget, consider Mohonk Mountain House. It's about 2-2.5 hours from JFK.

1stly this Hotel if Im correct is North of Albany which will be way more then 2 1/2-3 hrs from JFK. since its North of Albany that will mean they will drive an hour or so North of where they will have to take the NY Thruway out to Niagara so they will hav eto double back again the next day.

Since this Hotel is a resort , I got the feeling that the OP wanted to get to NF ASAP so I would look for a Motel somewhere along the Thruway rather than a Hotel thats a destination in its own right.

I find most Hotels/Motels that are close to the NYC border to be anything but inexpensive.

I would suggest looking for something on the Western side of the Hudson River, and North of Newburgh NY. It will also be in July which will be PRIME time up there so dont count on $49 rates.

I personally wouldnt book anything, since the OP will be arriving after the Cancelation Time. I wouldnt want to get into NY only to find out that No way can I do the 3-4 hr drive and then have to pay for 2 rooms the one Ill use and the one that will be too late to cancel. I've done these things in the past where I figured I can get a jump start on the Driving only to be so Exhausted that I couldnt drive anywhere. Check roomsaver.com and arm youself maybe with some coupons that you might be able to use, also do your homework be it a Super8 or Days Inn and have a few possible places in mind along the way both in case you cant drive as much as you thought you might be able and in case you can drive further then you thought.

Again Id try and get North of the Harriman interchange, where the NY Thruway heads North to Albany on the Western side of the Hudson River which is after crossing over the Tappen Zee Bridge

NO! This is close to New Paltz, NY not North of Albany.
This is a Resort and bit pricy, but its a very nice place.


I'd suggest this as well. Its close enough from the airport and not so expensive.

If one is willing to drive a bit more.. I'd say within an hour or two of Ithaca along Rt. 17 would be great.

Its a ncie place to visit.. and may be taste some New York wine.

After flying from Hong Kong, you want to get into a car and drive a few hours before stopping for the night? You could be stuck in snarling traffic long before you leave the city limits. I hope you rethink this because you might be more tired than you realize and you could get yourself and others into an accident. Is it worth such a risk to yourself and others? :confused:

Hey, this is quite ironic. I'm a new yorker who has just returned from Perth, WA. I loved it there, especially the people so I'd love to be of any help possible.

I would def. advise you to stay close by for the night. The drive to Niagra can be quite rough at night. I would advise you to spend the night near the Airport and leave at first light. Enjoy Niagra.

If you arrive at 9:20pm, it will take some time to get your bags and clear customs. So I'd say a JFK departure at 11:00 - 11:30pm. You will be renting a car too right? :)

You'll drive north out of the airport (possible construction delays) on the Van Wyke. This highway feeds you into the Grand central parkway (westbound); then over the Triborough Bridge. From here, you'll go north on I-87.

Yankee Stadium may still be lit up at this hour. ;)

As always, many posters will offer different way to head upstate.

Continue north on I-87 to The Harriman exit (mile marker 45). FYI, Yankee Stadium is about 4 miles short of where the mile amrkers begin at Mile 0.

I do advise (insist) that you drive the speed limit; as the State Police like to enforce the law.

The Harriman exit is about 70 minutes out of JFK.

From Harriman, head west on Route 17 (aka The Quikway, and soon to be known as I-86). During the day this is a beautiful trip. Rolling hills, with farms, silos, blue sky and green grass. At night, you can't see a thing.

At Middletown, there are a few motels. Chains are going up too.
This is about 90 minutes into the trip.

From Middletown to Binghamton NY (120 minutes), it's a wasteland at night. A few services and no motels.

More later.
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edit... more info

From Binghampton, it's 45 minutes to Ithaca. I'd continue on 17 west / 86 west (same road) to Owego NY. Pretty town. Follow the signs to 96 for Ithaca. Ok to stop in town for a look/see. Also, Cornell is located in ITH.

As you head north out of town, stop at the falls. If it's been raining, you'll see a rush of water, otherwise a trickle. It's actually higher than NF!

Heading north, you'll be driving through the Finger Lake region of NY. It's a beautiful daytime drive.

Ithaca bypass If you're in a rush, from Binghampton, take I-81 north to the NY State Thruway (I-90) west and follow the signs to NF. Roughly 4 hours from BIN. many discount hotels just north of BIN on I-81. Check out roomsavers.com as already mentioned.

It's been noted many times that the Canadian side of the falls is the pretty side. You can spend 1 full day there easy.

Dan

bad idea!

your flite, i assume, will have a stop so you will have been in-transit for 18 hours, and maybe up already for 24 hours

plus, as stated above, the hassle of immigration, baggage, customs and then the trip on Airtrain to rent a car- you will be bushed!

you should not be then on strange roads with very agressive drivers- and if you don't really know NYC you'll easily get screwed up- like I-95North (when it is the Cross Bronx Expressway) actually goes due West!

please, before you do this, consider staying at the airport- you'll get into your hotel and be asleep by midnite, wake up the next morning refreshed an un-jetlagged, then rent a car and go on to Niagara Falls

but if you didn't want to see New York State, you could fly non-stop HKG/YYZ and drive down to the canadian side (nicer!) of niagara, also eliminating the US immigration and border hassles

Flight From To Depart Arrive Stops Aircraft
AC016 (HKG) (YYZ) 15:25 18:50 0 345

good luck!

You arrive at 9:20 PM (with jet lag) and want to drive 3-4 hours? :confused: It may take you that long to get out of New York City! (Not really, but it may feel like it!)

I also recommend spending the night near JFK and starting out in the morning (after you get some rest)!

(You do realize that JFK to Niagara Falls is an all day drive? :confused: )

Having done the NYC-Toronto drive on many occasions, I would strongly advise against doing this after a long flight. Not too many nice hotels along the way. Its about 2 1/2 - 3 hours to Albany IIRC, another 3-4 hours to Niagara Falls and about 1 - 1/2 hours to Toronto. It might be better to stay somewhere in Westchester first, get a good nights rest and then make the trek up.

Another <better> option is stay close to the airport and fly to Buffalo, and then you are a short drive to Niagara Falls. While the drive is scenic, it is not worth the time back and forth on a vacation.

I just realized- don't you all Perthians (Perthinese? (Perthites??) drive on the wrong side of the road?

So here you are:

up for 24+hours
strange city
crazy traffic
strange car
dark
maybe throw in a thunderstorm?
you realize the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car
and all the traffic is on the wrong side of the road

please don't try a 90 minute dash to the falls that night

the next morning, enjoy a daylight trip past the vineyards

OP, look into booking jetblue, which may have cheap (er) flights JFK/BUF.
FYI, legacy carriers also fly this route; and, you can get miles. ;)


If you do decide to drive late night, there will be little, if no traffic on the roads, so not to worry about 'crazy drivers'. :rolleyes: This isn't Boston. :p

Though you may encounter animals wondering onto the road. Not a pleasant thing to be dribing at night, see a couple of eyes and then the whole body.

Delta and JetBlue, offhand, both ahve flights that may depart after your arrival time, though I am not sure if you will clear INS in that time, and, of course, the schedule may change.

from dhammer53:

"Sorry, 95 North heads east."

thanks for the correction

i told you it was confusing!

logically, its 95 south that heads due east!

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"OP, look into booking jetblue, which may have cheap (er) flights JFK/BUF.
FYI, legacy carriers also fly this route; and, you can get miles."

but all the flites will require an overnite at JFK- its still better, imho, to fly direct HKG/YYZ
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"If you do decide to drive late night, there will be little, if no traffic on the roads, so not to worry about 'crazy drivers'."

let's see- the cross bronx or the major deegan at midnite- those sure look like crazies to me-

and i see heavy traffic at all hours - construction delays too

certainly once you are north of the Tappan Zee at 2 am the roads will be empty except for our four-footed furry friends-

my brother-in-law just totaled a new minivan on the thruway while liquidizing a buck at 75mph

Summer is the great construction zone time, less so at night.

Hope your brother-in-law is fine, a totaled mini-van you can replace. Have avoided a few deer on the road doing this trip, so I can testify it can be dangerous, especially the young and inexperienced foals. Also, the other nasty one is the skunk. Yeah, hate to drive with that smell in the car!