North Conway NH to Erie PA: Epic 600-Mile Road Trip Guide

This route crosses New England's rugged peaks through the Mohawk Valley of New York to the shores of Lake Erie. One peculiar fact: near Canajoharie, NY, you cross the Erie Canal at the exact spot where the canal system once linked the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, a feat of 19th-century engineering that transformed American commerce.

Total driving distance is 600 miles (965 km). Estimated driving time is 10 to 11 hours without stops. The most efficient path uses I-93 South, I-89 West, I-90 West (New York Thruway), and I-90 West (Ohio Turnpike) to exit 7 for Erie. For detailed guidance on planning stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality on I-90 is excellent, with well-lit sections. In winter (November–April), check NY Thruway conditions: lake-effect snow east of Buffalo can close roads. Summer thunderstorms common. Speed limits are 65 mph on the Thruway (trucks 55). Ohio sections are 70 mph. Avoid rush hour through Syracuse (4-6 PM).

For families: stop at the Children's Museum of Science and Technology in Troy (near Albany) or the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. Erie's expERIEnce Children's Museum is downtown. Pet-friendly stops include the Pat Nixon Park in Albany (rest area with dog walk), and the Bark Park in Erie. Many rest areas have designated pet areas.

• Rest zones: Thruway rest areas are spaced every 30-50 miles. The Clifton Springs Rest Area (eastbound, mile 350) has a Starbucks and clean restrooms. The Angola Travel Plaza (westbound, mile 445) is modern.
• Fatigue management: Plan to stop every 2 hours. The Seneca Falls Rest Area (mile 320) has a walking path. Consider a 30-minute power nap at a rest area or a hotel break.
• Culinary highlights: Try "salt potatoes" in Syracuse or beef on weck in Buffalo. In Erie, experience a local smorgasbord at Perkins (for its Lake Erie perch).

The New York Thruway (I-90) is a toll road. Expect $25-$30 in tolls for the entire New York segment. Ohio Turnpike adds about $2.50. Fuel costs vary: budget $80-$100 for gas at current prices. Rest areas are frequent on the Thruway, typically every 50 miles, with clean facilities and vending.

• Best fuel stops: Exit 29 for Canajoharie (cheaper than rest areas), Exit 36 for Waterloo Premium Outlets area, and Exit 6 for Maumee, OH (just before Erie).
• Food stops on route: At rest areas, Stewart's Shops (chain) are good for quick coffee and sandwiches. In Syracuse, exit for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (famous ribs).
• Alternative to Thruway: NY Route 17 (future I-86) & I-81 N to Syracuse is scenic but slower (adds 1.5 hours).

One logistical quirk: the New York Thruway has no direct I-90 interchange at the PA border; you must exit onto I-90 in West Seneca, NY, then cross into PA. Pay attention to signs for Erie.

From North Conway, you first traverse the White Mountain National Forest. On I-93 south, look for panoramic pull-offs near Franconia Notch. Then crossing into Vermont, you pass through the Green Mountains; I-89 offers views of Mount Mansfield. The Mohawk Valley appears after Albany: rolling farmlands dotted with historic Erie Canal towns.

Notable natural attractions include Letchworth State Park (the "Grand Canyon of the East") near Geneseo, just a 15-minute detour off I-90. Another is Watkins Glen State Park, 1 hour south of the Thruway. For Erie itself, stop at Presque Isle State Park, a sandy peninsula with beaches and lighthouses.

• Local commerce stops: In Cooperstown (NY-28 south from I-90 at Exit 30), the Corning Museum of Glass offers unique shopping. In Erie, the Flagship Food Hall in the downtown market features local produce.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: This route bypasses the Statue of Liberty (NYC) and Independence Hall (Philly), but closer is the Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater (near Mill Run, PA), about 2.5 hours south of Erie. Not on the direct route, but worth a dedicated day trip.
• Hidden off-route spot: The Howe Caverns in Cobleskill, NY, a 250-foot deep limestone cave system, is 30 minutes north of I-90 Exit 29.