Good Stopover: Utica, Norwich, or Binghamton?
 

Hi-
Im planning my trip coming home from Lake Placid and wondering which place is the best to stopover for the night. Im taking Route 30 from Lake Placid to Route 28 to Route 12 down to I-81 then I-81 to Harrisburg and then down to the Baltimore, MD area. Which place should I stop at, Utica, Norwich, or Binghamton? What place has the best restaurant choices and the least run down?
Thanks-

Utica is 2 hours from Binghamtom. They are about the same with multiple food choices and much larger than Norwich.

Right next to Binghamton is the Johnson City exit right off 81 to 17 mall exit.. Oakdale Mall... several motels and restaurants, and you can hop right back on the highway in the morning... its also the best distance for your trip...

It really doesn't matter. You'll likely be staying in a generic, highway exit chain motel, and eating in a generic highway exit chain restaurant.

Pick what works best for you time/distance wise.

Any interest in visiting Cooperstown?

If you are just doing one stop overnight on your way to Maryland I would not pick Utica. It's not that far from Lake Placid. I was there once on business and we had a hard time finding somewhere to eat. The city is "rundown". I've never been to Norwich, but it's pretty small so your restaurant choices may be limited. I've passed through, but never stopped in Binghamton. There is a large University there so you may have a good choice of restaurants and hotels.

To be fair, KathyK, I do think you are somewhat overstating the attractiveness of Utica.

I think i will be staying at Binghamton then. I ve stayed there before. I will just considering Utica or Norwich because the drive would be less from Lake Placid that day, so I could see more of places like Old Forge and possibly do a short hike or two along the way. But, I guess Binghamton is not that much farther.

What about stopping in Syracuse then continuing down 81? Excellent restaurant choices and you can stay in anything from a budget motel to an elegant inn.