Boston to Cleveland route
 

We'll be driving from Boston to Cleveland in mid June and I am wanting to get some opinions on the route. We have done the trip before when we had a stop in Pittsburgh, so that took us from 84 through Conn. into PA, down 81 to the Penn Turnpike and on to Ohio from Pittsburgh. So that is a known route #1.

Route #2: Same route on 84 into PA, but then 80 across central PA to Ohio
Route #3: Take 84 through Conn, but then take 86 completely across NY into PA to hook up with 90 and into Cleveland
Route#4: Similar to #3, but take 90 from Boston to 88 in Albany to 86 across NY.
Route #5: Take 90 (Mass, NY turnpike) all the way from Boston to Cleveland.

Route#1 was obvious the first time since we had to go to Pittsburgh first, but this time we have no such constraint and I wasn't all to thrilled with parts of the PA turnpike. So I'm assuming that Route #1 is the worst of the 4.

Route#2, 3 and 4 seem the most direct (#2 a bit more south, #3 and #4 a bit more north) and with #2 and #3 the cheapest (no turnpikes), but I don't know anything about any of those interstates (we're from Austin).

Route#5 is obvious the "easiest" from the standpoint of staying on one highway the entire trip, but it does go pretty far north (adding a lot of extra mileage) and will be the most expensive with all turnpike. But maybe it's worthwhile for the scenery or the stops along the way? I have no idea.

Any input on any of these routes would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Route #1 is way too far south. No reason to go that way at all.

Route #2, 84/80 is 664 miles. I-80 is kind of hilly across Pennsylvania and have plenty of truck traffic. Main problem is traffic on I-84 across western CT.

Route #3, 84/81/86/90, 706 miles. I don't see why you should go that way. You're adding distance over Route #2, with zero benefits. I-86 is fairly windy across the "Southern Tier".

Route #4 is also 664 miles. Toll on the western portion of Masspike is minimal. So, you're not paying much more than #2, while avoiding all the traffic of CT.

Route #5 is 638 miles. It may look further north, but it's flat and straight, unlike the more mountainous routes to the south. Yes, the NYThruway will cost you toll, but that's the fastest, shortest, and easiest drive.

Great information ... thanks! I guess Route #5 is deceiving since it is the shortest distance. Looks like the way to go. I think we're also going to stop off in Herkimer for the Herk diamond mining, so route#5 will take us right by there.