Scenic Drive Idea for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York: Fall Foliage Along Interstate 81

Day Trip on 1-81 from Pennsylvania to Canadian Border

If you live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York and love scenic drives and road trips, this trip along Interstate 81 (I-81) is perfect for you. This drive is especially beautiful during the fall because of the changing leaves, which create beautiful foliage. Though I-81 begins in Tennessee, this article will detail the portion of the interstate that runs from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Wellesley Island, New York.

A word to the wise: you might want to begin your trip with a meal, so grab some breakfast or lunch before heading out. The Clarks Summit exit had many different fast food options. We settled for some Waffle House, which wasn't bad. While enjoying your meal, look around the the unique scenery at Clark's Summit - there is a very tall bridge there that stands in the center of town. If you'd rather wait for lunch and explore some other exit along the road, go for it - I'm sure there are plenty of weird roadside attractions along the way!

From here, you are ready to set out on your day trip! Traveling north on Interstate 81 from Scranton is a very relaxing drive. You will notice few cars on the road and, during the fall, you will see beautiful foliage. There are no major towns to hit throughout the rest of Pennsylvania, so measure your driving progress through how close you are to Binghamton, New York. It is a little over 50 miles from Clarks Summit to Binghamton and should take you approximately an hour to go from one to the other.

Feel proud once you reach Binghamton! You have crossed into New York, which was goal one for the trip. So what is your next goal? To work your way further north into New York. You will pass several exits which might be good for detours, if you feel so inclined. For example, you will pass Ithaca, home to Ithaca College and Cornell University, and Syracuse, a city of sports centers, museums, zoos, and more! Even if you choose to drive right past Syracuse, expect some moderate traffic in that area, especially if an event is going on at one of the city's sports complexes.