Since this was asked on another thread, I tnought I'd give some tips.
Go via 81 to 3.
See this http://mapquest.com/maps/print.adp?mapdata=%2bDurgsgaQPuMa9UPUBgBrL74dcIN3S9ehy7F48otmRX2%2fw9d7aY7rAM%2blDYKKz3vU3ZktyxzclpDc7Y3jZmH%2bnh%2f3BtA1hBjbNqkbCTwoL3QOAGFta0F9Sf9GFo4qC5BHPARKGsX5gm%2fcckAlyOmxDrbHyUcs56rK1RoJSxTPuqOmcwy2VLmB30vz2Pzqvb%2bF%2fVBRn%2fcwEXPBOizprjmYtyNR8OMtQiN5C8D07p7CN8fW2d4U1qb5b8PYt1z6tk2UqNDxuN2SLN3ox5UZ3GZvo00uhCNRV5MzlQm686WwpE%3d. Get off at exit 48 and take 342 to 283 to 3. Don't worry if you miss 283 as you'll get to 3 anyway.
At Deferiet take 3A to get back to 3. This saves 5-10 min. See this http://mapquest.com/maps/print.adp?mapdata=%2bDurgsgaQPvsEdfvV%2fXAMsI%2bE1EQb0%2bceZCmgKy3%2f6dpZa08uW0hw49BWwv8fc%2bkVITpEOI1qhNHYO4pz3g49ahmymkLT7w3uzD2MO2p3Y%2b2gW5lMGLcfWuznNjOsI4S8mtJtDZ9d3cUU%2fIxDS%2bgkjT%2beRCTG6gTvC024hgzckpfSWZKd1vjDRz6WdHPG2OVSkr7i3%2bhLq%2bj35HYgf4x0sXnofHjTTBhDWoQYMp0vXNnG%2fFWP7hPj4DS8xgf4rZA6flcrjHEJQ3kEpmgoVXUQk4MBJInF7LQnGYN50nuvvI%3d.
No other tips except, if you are really late, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and LP all have McD easy to reach.
It's 3.25-3.5 hours from Syracuse with reasonable speed.
Thanks so much Jim! I was just about to post a request for the best (i.e. not exactly the mapquest) directions from Ithaca. :-)
I definitely see why that 3A route is better, but is it really quicker to go up to 48 and over small-ish roads rather than getting off at 45 right onto 3?
Also, what about the statement elsewhere on this board not to go up to Watertown, but instead to get off at the Fort Drum exit. And where exactly *is* Fort Drum, or at least the exit.
-Fred, DeltaOne81 '03
driver :)
Fort Drum exit is 48. Yes it's alot faster going to 48. If you use 45, you go through Watertown, a no-no. The roads off of 48 are 2-4 lanes and made for travel to Rte. 3 , 11, and Fort Drum. Definately faster. You'll see once you get on it, that it's a travel road with alot of gas stations, etc..
You defiantly want to go to exit 48 (skip Watertown) and subsequently take 3A (which runs along the base) as Jim has mentioned, bypassing Carthage . It is a left turn although not marked very well, so keep your eyes open. Hope everyone has a safe voyage up to the mountains. . .see y'all at the rink!!!:-)
So... "defy" Watertown? :-P :-))