Virginia to Finger Lakes NY

[Vet4jdc]

My wife wants to plan a trip to the Finger Lakes, NY next summer. Traveling from Virginia Beach. Any good tips on travel route do and don'ts? Anyone been to the area that would recommend a nice campground that is big rig friendly? Help a guy out?

[MandK]

When we go to the finger lakes we stay at NY State Parks. They are generally not big rig friendly but they have sites that are, just not many of them. Your rig is only a couple feet longer than ours so you’ll be fine. Their reservation window is 9 months ahead so reserve now for next August but if you go Sunday to Friday you could find sites in June and July. We like Sampson State Park on Seneca Lake probably the best. They have 30 amp power. Water is central in the loops or at the dump stations so you have to fill up before you set up. We have also stayed at Watkins Glen and Keuka Lake state parks they are nice as well. Sites are about $20-25/ night. There are other campgrounds if you want full hookups but I’m not familiar with them.

Our rig at Sampson State Park

[Rotnjonny]

We call”home” Hershey, although we are not there very often anymore. We have traveled down into Virginia Beach numerous times (staying out at the KOA) and we travel up through Syracuse / Watertown each year in August. Everyone has travel routes they like and don’t like. For me, if I was coming out of Virginia Beach and heading to Finger Lakes, I would go West pn 64 over to 81 North. I would run 81 North through VA, MD up through PA into Binghamton. Pickup 86 West to Corning and then 96 north to Finger Lakes. There are shorter routes but time of day can get tricky with traffic and some of the roads on other routes are not nearly as comfortable. YMMV just MHO. Enjoy

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by Rotnjonny

We call”home” Hershey, although we are not there very often anymore. We have traveled down into Virginia Beach numerous times (staying out at the KOA) and we travel up through Syracuse / Watertown each year in August. Everyone has travel routes they like and don’t like. For me, if I was coming out of Virginia Beach and heading to Finger Lakes, I would go West pn 64 over to 81 North. I would run 81 North through VA, MD up through PA into Binghamton. Pickup 86 West to Corning and then 96 north to Finger Lakes. There are shorter routes but time of day can get tricky with traffic and some of the roads on other routes are not nearly as comfortable. YMMV just MHO. Enjoy

If we are in no rush, do you know how is Route 15 north off of 81?

[Rotnjonny]

Follow up. 15 north of 81 will take you up along the River. Good road. Nearly all of it (maybe all now) is four lane. It is not a restricted access road like the interstate so you get traffic coming on and off the road. It’s a pretty ride. At Williamsport, you will go through the mountains. That’s all newer road too.

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by Rotnjonny

Follow up. 15 north of 81 will take you up along the River. Good road. Nearly all of it (maybe all now) is four lane. It is not a restricted access road like the interstate so you get traffic coming on and off the road. It’s a pretty ride. At Williamsport, you will go through the mountains. That’s all newer road too.

Would you travel this route towing a 38 foot fifth wheel?

[Rotnjonny]

Yes sir. I would and I have. 😊

I’ve had our 40’ 5’er up through that route when we went to Niagra Falls. We have also been up through there with a 37’ Gas Class A

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by Rotnjonny

Yes sir. I would and I have. ��

I’ve had our 40’ 5’er up through that route when we went to Niagra Falls. We have also been up through there with a 37’ Gas Class A

Good info! Thanks


Any campgrounds that you prefer when you go up there?

[tomJerram]

we live in the area and travel rt 15 all the time no problem pulling anything you can tow

[WaltBennett]

Originally Posted by Rotnjonny

Follow up. 15 north of 81 will take you up along the River. Good road. Nearly all of it (maybe all now) is four lane. It is not a restricted access road like the interstate so you get traffic coming on and off the road. It’s a pretty ride. At Williamsport, you will go through the mountains. That’s all newer road too.

From VA Beach, get to Richmond, north on 95 to Falmouth, north on US 17 to US29/US15, then north again as above. We've been there some time back, but got detoured for construction to I still don't know where, but made it finally. My mother was born in Penn Yan so we visited that area as well as Watkins Glenn (REALLY a great park!). Letchworth isn't far away, but there's a ton of things in that area to see.

[Waricha]

I've driven to and from Virginia Beach via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/ Tunnel system and went up through Delaware to Philadelphia and picked up I-476 to I-81. I live near Syracuse, NY and spent a lot of time in the finger lakes. It depends on which lake you want to explore. Seneca Lake is wonderful with lots of wineries and distilleries and I highly recommend the Watkins Glen KOA. It is big rig friendly and close to the town where you can dine, go on a cruise or roam around to the wineries. The NASCAR racetrack is nearby as well. Only a couple miles away.

[ncm]

Make sure you visit some wineries around Seneca Lake - they are very good!!

[TheSixs]

I live just south of the Finger Lakes in PA on 15. We travel to VB every year. We like to take 17 (or 95 depending on traffic), to 64, to 81, 15 to 180 then back to 15. Scenic, mostly 4 Lane. Piece of advice, there are no good places to get fuel with big rigs from just north of Harrisburg after getting on 15 until Pennsdale (about 18 miles south of Williamsport). I've only stayed at a Campground in Bristol, NY and at the time I had a 29' TT.

[H. John Kohl]

I64 to Richmond and I95 to Fredrecksburg and 17 north to Opal and 15 up through Harrisburg, take 22 north on the ease side of river until you cross and then 15 north again up to Corning.
This route keeps you out of Washington DC and that traffic.

Recommend the Keystone Antique Farm Tractor and Truck museum in Petersburg, Va a little out of you way. Water and Electric for $35.00, also Harvest host.

Corning I recommend the Glass museum there.

Recommend the Watkins Glen river tour. Walking down is a lot easier then UP. Check on shuttles to the top.
The boar tour of Watkins Glen is very informative.

Great wineries in the area.

Letchworth State Park is a great tour also.

Lots to see this is just a start.
Safe Travels.

[Vet4jdc]

As a follow up, anyone stayed at Finger Lakes RV resort on Seneca Lake? Good or bad?


Anyone make a recommendation for a campground close to Niagra Falls?




...

[MandK]

HTR Niagara Campground on Grand Island is popular for those visiting Niagara Falls, I have not stayed there. There is also a KOA on Grand Island, also have not stayed there. (We are local to this area) The KOA is very close to the interstate, it’s probably a little noisy.