IL to NYC: Need Trip advice

[Jarvicious]

So as long trips generally do, this one snuck up on me and I've realized that we only have a slight semblance of a plan in regards to the route we're taking.  Mom and I (my mom, not Mother ) are taking the bikes out east for a wedding and so far we have the gist of the route planned, but it still seems to lack a little something so I'm soliciting the advice of all you midwestern/east coast cats to give me some scenery on the way out.

Leaving south central IL, the plan is to take highway 40 most of the way through IN, OH, and Sylvania but that's about as far as we got.  Well, I'm sure ma has it mapped out pretty well, but I kinda phased out when she was talking about it.  We wanted most of the way to be two lane roads just so we could avoid the hubub of the slab and maybe catch a few nice views to boot.  She's a bit of a planner where I'd rather just take whatever road heads east so convincing her to deviate from the plan may be tough but I'd really like to know what you local folks think about the route, or any alternates for that matter. 

40 parallels 70 for most of the way out and we'll probably be on 70 at night for safety's sake, but if we could spare the extra mileage (probably once we get closer to eastern Pennsylvania) I'd like to take a couple of alternate routes.  We were also thinking about dipping south through W. Virginia and maybe maybe maybe TN on the way home again, mileage and time permitting.  As ususal, all advice is greatly appreciated and provided I don't kill my mother, there should be a good number of pictures when I get home. 

  [moto]

[Jeff_S2R1K]

If you could enter PA on the northern edge Rout 6 is a decent ride all the way across the state.  If it were me, I'd take Rt. 6 to Tunkhannoc, then Rt. 29 to Rt. 309 to Rt. 81 to Rt. 380 to Rt. 80.  Then depending on where in NYC slab it the rest of the way.

If you're set on going through the southern half of PA, I would get to Breezewood somehow and then take Rt. 70 or Rt. 40 to Rt. 15 to Rt. 581 to Rt. 81 to Rt. 78.  Rt. 22 parallels 78 "most" of the way and 22 is the type of ride you're looking for, but I haven't ridden that for a while and I know 22 jumps back on 78 once or twice.

Both these routes include some Interstate but for the most part it's pretty scenic.

[rockaduc]

If you get on route 6 soon enough in PA, you can check out the PA Grand Canyon.  Not as big as the "other one", but still pretty impressive and some great views.

[Jarvicious]

Thanks for the info, fellas.  Like I said, it will definitely take some doing convincing mom to deviate from "the set path" but it should be worth it. 

We're planning on getting into NYC sometime Saturday, any info on a solid route?  We're going to be in Brooklyn and again, I have no idea what road we're taking in but I'd like it to be fairly streamlined (traffic/construction wise).

[Jeff_S2R1K]

Some of the NYC members may know a better route, but here's my suggestion: If you take my suggestion on Rt. 6 to Rt. 29 etc.   Take I-80 to I-287 South  which turns into Rt 440 just before crossing the Outerbridge onto Staten Island ($8 toll).  Then take 440 (West Shore Expressway) up to I-278 (Staten Island Expressway) and cross the Verrazano into Brooklyn.

You could take 80 all the way to the NJ turnpike and through a tunnel, or cross the Bayonne Bridge, or the Gothals Bridge,  but my preference is the Outerbridge to the Verrazano.   At all costs I would avoid getting down around Philly or Washington DC and taking I-95 up to NYC.  That's uber congested and loaded with tolls and not scenic at all.

[Jeff_S2R1K]

One more thing, I personally have ridden into NJ on I-78 to I-287 to Staten Island and would do it again in a heartbeat.  It's not a bad ride at all.  NJ is only 60 miles wide so either way you go, it shouldn't take too long. 

[triangleforge]

If you're on 40 or 70 in Western PA and can afford the time, there are some beautiful, twisty mountain roads all around Ohiopyle, PA

<<<< And I hear they have a pretty cool waterfall there, too! 

There are also two beautiful examples of Frank Lloyd Wright homes within an easy, exhilarating ride of Ohiopyle: Falling Water http://www.fallingwater.org/ and Kentuck Knob http://www.kentuckknob.com/

[Jarvicious]

Thanks again folks.  I finally made it to my parents house and went over the basic plan. 

50 is going to take us east most of the way, I think.  It's just a two lane, but there are some spots in W. Virginia that look ridiculously entertaining.  The whole time it's going to be "I wish I was on the Duc, I wish I was on the Duc....". 


After 50 is 15 up to where that meets 81.  Again, with the time constraints.  I'd rather stay off the slab......  81 turns into 78 so I may try and convince her to run 22.  From there 78 goes into 9 then 139 across the Brooklyn Bridge.  It seemed like kind of a backwards way to go about it, but it is a pretty straight shot.  Jeff, I think we're going to stay mostly north of where you're at, but I have a buddy that lives down south of Baltimore so I may make a solo run.  Again, thanks for all the input.