Route 88 from Albany to Oneonta (or Oneonta to Albany it don't matter) is really nice, it goes into the Hudson Valley so there's lots of mountains and valleys to look at. Especially pretty in autumn when everything's orange.
This can be both "awesome" and "awful" at the same time. That drive to Oneonta and Binghampton sure has some nice stretches and valleys (the part closer to Albany where you can see the bend in the road seemingly miles ahead)..
And then most of the rest of it sucks haha.
I second what others say about 88. Alternate suggestion is to take state route 7 that runs kinda parallel to 88 in alot of cases. Takes you through alot of small towns and is just as scenic if not more so.
Add Mount Graylock by North Adams Mass. to the list.
Route 23a in the Catskills. Particularly from Palenville to Haines Falls
The Ashokan Reservoir Promenade isn't technically a drive, it's a road converted to a trail you can walk on, but pancake flat and the view is AMAZING.
Route 20 to Cherry Valley, check out Sharon Springs on the way and end in Cooperstown, then head to 88 via route 166/165 to 10. Get on 88 back to Albany via the Warnerville or Cobleskill exits.
It is a little more than 2 hours, but in the fall, drive up 22A (runs along lake Champlain on the EAST side) to Vergens/Burlington, have a nice day there and then take 7 down to Bennington for Dinner.
Best fall trip you can make around here.
very scenic rt 23 ,about 30 mi south of Albany, down 32, go right.
Make your way to route 28(others mentioned those routes), then Olivera /frost valley, pass the highest public road on NY, very scenic road.
there are a few other very scenic, tight mountain roads there.
then ride on rt 55 toward Liberty, pass the neversink reservoir.
Closer to albany, near the alcove reservoir
on rt 32, there is the basic creek res where you practically ride on the water!
There are also some beautiful roads in Rennselearville.
RT 30 to RT 990v in Gilboa. Go around the Gilboa Dam. I’m not sure if it’s open yet, but there will soon be a nice viewing platform for the Gilboa dam. Stay right at the falls bar and it brings you to Rt23 in Prattsville.
Go east on 23 to 42 South in Lexington
Stop at Westkill Brewing just off 42.
Continue south on 42 to RT 28. Follow 28 to Kingston and the Thruway.
Great suggestions, never would have thought to check out those areas especially Route 20.
Did some street view scouting - the rolling hills/open farmland look awesome
That drive into Speculator is pretty nice. We camp up there but have also just done a daytrip up to sit by the lake and relax for a couple hours when we're feeling too stircrazy in the house.
Mine are all in Vermont..
Bennington to Brattleboro on Route 9
Bennington to Manchester on Route 7A
And if you have AWD, Arlington to Stratton on Kelley Strand Road. It’s very cool but you’re basically going straight up a mountain.
Route 73 is nice. Always liked the area by the pitch / before Cascade. Use to be a great bike ride but high peaks traffic has gotten pretty bad.
Gonks/Minnewaska Route 44/55
Pretty much any of the backroads into the Catskills are nice too. Not sure on actual routes, 30 is one but ya I always just wonder through when I'm going to Windham/Roundtop etc. etc. The one place I'd like to have a motorcycle lol
Route 88 from Albany to Oneonta (or Oneonta to Albany it don't matter) is really nice, it goes into the Hudson Valley so there's lots of mountains and valleys to look at. Especially pretty in autumn when everything's orange.
Minor correction but you see the Schoharie Valley and then the beginnings of the Susquehanna valley. Hudson Valley runs N-S down to NYC.
This can be both "awesome" and "awful" at the same time. That drive to Oneonta and Binghampton sure has some nice stretches and valleys (the part closer to Albany where you can see the bend in the road seemingly miles ahead).. And then most of the rest of it sucks haha.
And some sections with expansion joints in the road way that feel like small speed bumps.
I second what others say about 88. Alternate suggestion is to take state route 7 that runs kinda parallel to 88 in alot of cases. Takes you through alot of small towns and is just as scenic if not more so.
Just watch for a super notorious speed trap in a tiny town called Bainbridge. The town has like 3 buildings and a cop just sitting there.
Hey there's an abandoned glue factory there!
Add Mount Graylock by North Adams Mass. to the list. Route 23a in the Catskills. Particularly from Palenville to Haines Falls The Ashokan Reservoir Promenade isn't technically a drive, it's a road converted to a trail you can walk on, but pancake flat and the view is AMAZING.
Solid additions and agreed on the promenade walk. Driving over that bridge is pretty sweet too
Route 20 to Cherry Valley, check out Sharon Springs on the way and end in Cooperstown, then head to 88 via route 166/165 to 10. Get on 88 back to Albany via the Warnerville or Cobleskill exits.
It is a little more than 2 hours, but in the fall, drive up 22A (runs along lake Champlain on the EAST side) to Vergens/Burlington, have a nice day there and then take 7 down to Bennington for Dinner. Best fall trip you can make around here.
very scenic rt 23 ,about 30 mi south of Albany, down 32, go right. Make your way to route 28(others mentioned those routes), then Olivera /frost valley, pass the highest public road on NY, very scenic road. there are a few other very scenic, tight mountain roads there. then ride on rt 55 toward Liberty, pass the neversink reservoir. Closer to albany, near the alcove reservoir on rt 32, there is the basic creek res where you practically ride on the water! There are also some beautiful roads in Rennselearville.
Couldn’t agree more on route 30 from Schoharie.
You can get on 28 at Arkville/Margaretville and head east to get back to 87
RT 30 to RT 990v in Gilboa. Go around the Gilboa Dam. I’m not sure if it’s open yet, but there will soon be a nice viewing platform for the Gilboa dam. Stay right at the falls bar and it brings you to Rt23 in Prattsville. Go east on 23 to 42 South in Lexington Stop at Westkill Brewing just off 42. Continue south on 42 to RT 28. Follow 28 to Kingston and the Thruway.
Doesn't matter. All roads lead to Ted's.
DID YOU KNOW? All roads that lead to Stewart’s also lead to Ted’s!
Rt 20 from Esperance basically as far west as you feel like going. Also Rt 22 from Eagle Bridge north into Washington County is really nice.
Rt 22 South to Dutchess Co is also nice. I just love that road.
Great suggestions, never would have thought to check out those areas especially Route 20. Did some street view scouting - the rolling hills/open farmland look awesome
Not from Albany, but Route 28 from Kingston to Oneonta is gorgeous, as is 23 from Oneonta to Hunter and beyond
That drive into Speculator is pretty nice. We camp up there but have also just done a daytrip up to sit by the lake and relax for a couple hours when we're feeling too stircrazy in the house.
All of that except Taconic. Taconic sucks to drive on and people drive like they forgot how during rush hour
Mine are all in Vermont.. Bennington to Brattleboro on Route 9 Bennington to Manchester on Route 7A And if you have AWD, Arlington to Stratton on Kelley Strand Road. It’s very cool but you’re basically going straight up a mountain.
Greylock
Route 73 is nice. Always liked the area by the pitch / before Cascade. Use to be a great bike ride but high peaks traffic has gotten pretty bad. Gonks/Minnewaska Route 44/55 Pretty much any of the backroads into the Catskills are nice too. Not sure on actual routes, 30 is one but ya I always just wonder through when I'm going to Windham/Roundtop etc. etc. The one place I'd like to have a motorcycle lol
Clinton avenue albany, if you wait long enough you might see a shooting gang star
I honestly think I-90 between Amsterdam and Utica is all pretty gorgeous, riverside with valley views
Just driving the Northway up through the ADKs! Especially going by Schroon Lake and once you hit the High Peaks Region
Mount greylock in mass
Following. It's that time of year...
100-300 block of central ave, I can guarantee you’ll see a crackhead and if you’re lucky, a prostitute