I am driving from Washington, DC to Richfield Springs, NY in August and would like to make a stop overnight between two points. (I am traveling with 10 y.old child)
What would be a nice place to take a break?

If it's just an overnight stop, it really shouldn't matter where you stop. If you want to spend some time somewhere, how about Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA? It's about 3 hours from Washington, just off I-95. A 10 year old should enjoy it.

we will be on 81

I must tell you that my two chidren 11 and 13 would not like to go to sesame place.It is for younger children.
What about Hershey park?
What does child like to do?

Hershey park is only 2 h from DC...
need more to cover in one drive.
I would probably prefer a nice little town...

Is the kid interested in trains? If so, visit Steamtown USA in Scranton, PA. Unfortunately, it's not the prettiest place.

And I think you said you don't want to drive over 4 hours a day in your other thread. If so you may want to stop a little early than that. There are quite a few motels in Hazleton, PA, just off I-81. It's just about halfway.

Knobel's Amusement Resort isn't too far off I-81 in Elysburg, Pa. There is no parking fee and no admission charge. You purchase tickets for each ride (but I think a POP wristband is also available), so it's a great place to stop if you have a limited amount of time and your kid likes amusement park/carnival rides. www.knoebels.com

Hersehy is also a great place to stop even without visiting the amusement park. There's a free attraction at Hershey Chocolate World that's a disneyfied version of a factory tour. And of course it's one of the best places to buy Hershey brand chocolates, but I think they actually are fresher. Dark chocolate! yum! And the snack bar there makes a delicious chocolate milkshake.

Either would be a great diversion, but neither suggestion answers your original question. Good luck!

Knoebels is a greta pace for a 10 year old to spend some time
Melissa

What about Carlisle? It is a nice little town with plenty of places to stay off of i81. Dickinson college is especially pretty.

Carlisle is even closer to DC than Hershey.

Sorry, actually Carlisle is just as far as Hershey, but it's going the wrong way if the OP comes up on I-83 from Baltimore.

OOPS -sorry.

You could take a short detour onto I-78 and stop in Allentown at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. Great stuff for a kid.

I recall reading about a ghost town in central PA that was evacuated years ago due to an underground coal fire. I don't recall details, but if anyone knows, that might be an interesting stop...

No details, but the town's name is Centralia.

I did a coal mine tour with my nephews that was fun. Probably near Steamtown, which is also good. It might have been Lackawanna something. Can you get over to Jim Thorpe? It’s a beautiful little town with something for everyone.