melchonie

Hello All,

I have a trip in two weeks planned to go up to Rochester from Baltimore for a weekend with a friend of mine. It will be my first time driving that sort of distance and I am just looking for any advice you guys can provide.

We plan to take I-83N to US-22W to US-15N up-through I-180W then I-390N into Rochester.

It is actually my first winter driving up north (spent most of my driving years down south) so I have been keeping a CLOSE eye on weather forecasts and fully expect to encounter snow/ice at some point in the trip. I know the first piece of advice would be to just not do the trip but unfortunately its been months in the planning and there is an event that we have committed heavily to in Rochester. My biggest fear is that I will be doing the drive at night (leaving around 5-6pm to get into Rochester by midnightish) and Im wondering if I should be delaying the trip till the morning or not.

nytraveler

If you have no experience driving in snow and ice absolutely delay the start of the trip to the morning for a couple of reasons - you will be able to see road conditions much better and you won;t be exhausted/more likely to make mistakes.

Also be sure your car is ready for winter travel - good tires, strong battery, fluids all topped, etc. And have the basics of winter travel: snow shovel, windshield scraper, long-handled brush to remove snow and kitty litter or similar in case you get stuck on ice. For yourself be sure you have water, some food and blankets in the car.

If you run into snow or ice slow down - the car has a first gear for a reason and it will hold the road much better.

Finally, watch the weather carefully the whole time and if the roads get too bad get OFF the road and into a motel or diner/fast food place so you can stay warm.

melchonie

Thanks for the reply, I'll message my friend and see if he can get out of work early so we can leave in the daylight, if not I will delay till the morning. I did get my car/tires inspected and was told I should be all good for the trip.

I appreciate the tips, I will keep them in mind.

tomfuller

If you must start that late, stop near Selinsgrove or Lewisburg PA and then start early in the morning for Rochester.
You do not want to be driving late at night when the weather gets bad north of Williamsport.

janisj

I personally think the whole idea is nutty -- driving through central PA and western NY when you don't know how to drive in winter conditions. I know there are non-stop flights from Baltimore, Reagan and Dulles to Rochester.

tomfuller

In the interest of safety, do not drive any farther north on US 15 than Lewisburg in the dark. There are several fast food and nicer restaurants in Lewisburg. Country Cupboard is the best of them. There is also a nice hotel attached to Country Cupboard.
You can make it there in about 2.5 hours from Baltimore if it is not snowing.
A little north of Lewisburg you will take I-80 east across the Susquehanna River to the first exit to get on I-180 to Williamsport. Plan on 3.5 to 4 hours in daylight from the I-80 turnoff to get to Rochester.
The old US 15 north of Williamsport is now known as I-99.
The major mountain north of Williamsport is Staem Valley mountain. I drove over it several hundred times over a period of 36 years.

janisj

>> I drove over it several hundred times over a period of 36 years.

Ackislander

I'm usually amongst those with dire warnings about driving in winter weather if you don't have experience, but you have already shown good sense in responding to the appropriate warnings.

So, I'm here to say that stopping overnight at some place like Lewisburg makes really good sense even if the roads are dry and will be easier on you than trying to blast through, even if you don't leave until Saturday morning.

You and your friend will be tired from a week at work, and all the local loonies will be out on Friday night.

Let's assume tomfuller is right in his recommendations. Wouldn't it be nice to get some of the trip out of the way and then stop for a coupe of beers, a pizza, and a reasonable night's rest? Sounds like you can get an early start in the morning and be in Rochester by noon. If I were your father, this is what I would advise.

cdnyul

Another vote for delay till morning or break up the trip with an overnight stop.

A six hour estimate can easily become a ten hour reality in winter conditions.

About three or four days before departure check the weather.com and the interstate forecast maps:

https://weather.com/maps/travel/interstate-forecast

Replace your windshield washer fluid with one that is rated to -40.

Consider replacing your wiper blades.

Pay attention to the outside temperature indicator (if your car has one). It will give you warning of possible black ice.

tomfuller

If you don't want to have an overnight stop in central PA, wait until early morning in Baltimore.
My DD lives in Columbia, MD. She graduated from nursing school in Baltimore in December 2013. My DW and I drove from Burlington Iowa to Baltimore for the graduation.
We did encounter some slippery roads but managed to get there and back without wrecking the rental car.
About 2-3 weeks ago you had a blizzard from Washington DC up through New York City. Didn't you get any winter driving experience then?
Right before the blizzard DD went through Lewisburg to visit friends for the weekend. She did make it back to work at the hospital on Monday as the blizzard raged. At the end of her shift they let her stay since she could not get home then.

melchonie

Thanks a lot for all the advice, I am taking note. It's actually becoming more and more likely that I will just airline from baltimore into rochester. The 10 day forecast is already estimating snow all 3 days from friday to sunday next week...

If something changes and it looks clear I will wait till Saturday morning or even Friday morning and just drive instead. In response to tomfuller, that blizzard was actually my first time driving in snow and lets say it was...interesting. Learned a lot and researched a lot of tips but I'd say im still far from comfortable in it.

Thanks again, you guys were a great help!

maxima

Do yourself a favor and book a flight. you will spend less time getting there and will not have to worry about road conditions. at the worst the airline will cancel if the weather is bad.. and if its that bad you won't be comfortable driving. winter driving can be hazardous, even if you are used to driving in snowy and icy conditions

tomfuller

Hows the weather? Flying or driving or has the trip taken place?