If you want to take a scenic drive in New York that will take you almost all the way across the state, try New York State Route 5. Anyone who has driven across New York on I-90 will agree that that route is the fastest way across, but will also tell you that it can be brutal. Route 5 runs parallel to I-90 but instead of boring, interstate driving, it passes through dozens of quaint small towns and through pastoral, picturesque farmland. In fact, this was the route that people took across the state before the interstate was built. Every New York resident today should give it a try. Read on to learn more about it. It starts at the Pennsylvania border on Lake Erie and ends in Albany at I-787, and you’ll love the things you see along the way.
- Chatauqua County
Christina Marsh/Google Local Chatauqua County is where New York State Route 5 begins. There are many lovely small towns and views of Lake Erie along this section of Route 9. You might stop at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk, pictured here, which is about halfway between the Pennsylvania border and Buffalo. Chautauqua County, NY, USA
- Buffalo
Saeed Ullah/Google Local Buffalo is the largest city you’ll pass through on Route 5. This city is known for many things, but much of the beauty here is found in the plethora of Art Deco buildings you’ll find here. Buffalo, NY, USA
- Genesee County
Jamie/Google Local When you leave Buffalo, western New York becomes rural quickly. In the middle of the county, you’ll pass through the town of Batavia, and you might stop at the Dewitt Recreation Area on your way out of town to visit Dewitt Lake. Genesee County, NY, USA
- Livingston County
Paul Bunyan/Google Local Livingston County is the next county you’ll pass through on your journey east. You’ll see the towns of Caledonia, Avon, and Lima on the way. Livingston County, NY, USA
- Ontario County
Greg Q/Google Local The next 30 miles on Route 5 will take you through Ontario County. Stop and stretch your legs on the shores of Canandaigua Lake. Ontario County, NY, USA
- Seneca County
Tina Mercer/Google Local Seneca County is a very historical part of New York; Seneca Falls is the birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement in 1848. You can visit many historical buildings here and the National Women’s Hall of Fame shown here. Seneca County, NY, USA
- Cayuga County
J B/Google Local There are many historical sites in Cayuga County as well. As you pass through this county, be sure to stop in Auburn to visit the Harriet Tubman Homestead. Cayuga County, NY, USA
- Syracuse
DiLu 2021/Google Local The city of Syracuse is in Onondaga County and it will be the largest city you’ve passed through since Buffalo. Syracuse, NY, USA
- Madison County
Alex Aved/Google Local Next up on your journey is Madison County. This county is full of scenic agricultural vistas. Madison County, NY, USAmadison county ny
- Oneida County
Evergray Lokadottr Oneida County is best known for being home to the city of Utica. The rural areas offer many beautiful hiking spots, including Bartholomew Memorial Park in Vernon shown here. Oneida County, NY, USA
- Herkimer County
Horst Hermann/Google Local Many people visit Herkimer County to mine for the area’s unique Herkimer diamonds. Little Falls is a beautiful small town along the Mohawk River. Herkimer County, NY, USA
- Montgomery County
jim catalfano/Google Local By the time you reach Montgomery County, you’ll be almost all the way across the state. Old Fort Johnson in Fort Johnson, shown here, is a historic home that was built about 1749. Montgomery County, NY, USA
- Schenectady County
Nurali Virani/Google Local The city of Schenectady in Schenectady County is famous because Thomas Edison began the company that would become General Electric there. The areas around Schenectady, such as Scotia, have many lovely natural areas. Schenectady County, NY, USA
- Albany
Google Local Finally, 370 miles from where Route 5 began, it ends in New York’s capital city of Albany. The parks along the Hudson River here are excellent for walking and biking. Albany, NY, USA
There’s no where else in the world that’s quite like New York. Driving across our great state on New York State Route 5 is a wonderful way to get to know our state a little better and to visit places that you’ve never been before. Plan your road trip across New York today – you’ll be glad that you did!
Christina Marsh/Google Local
Chatauqua County is where New York State Route 5 begins. There are many lovely small towns and views of Lake Erie along this section of Route 9. You might stop at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk, pictured here, which is about halfway between the Pennsylvania border and Buffalo.
Chautauqua County, NY, USA
Saeed Ullah/Google Local
Buffalo is the largest city you’ll pass through on Route 5. This city is known for many things, but much of the beauty here is found in the plethora of Art Deco buildings you’ll find here.
Buffalo, NY, USA
Jamie/Google Local
When you leave Buffalo, western New York becomes rural quickly. In the middle of the county, you’ll pass through the town of Batavia, and you might stop at the Dewitt Recreation Area on your way out of town to visit Dewitt Lake.
Genesee County, NY, USA
Paul Bunyan/Google Local
Livingston County is the next county you’ll pass through on your journey east. You’ll see the towns of Caledonia, Avon, and Lima on the way.
Livingston County, NY, USA
Greg Q/Google Local
The next 30 miles on Route 5 will take you through Ontario County. Stop and stretch your legs on the shores of Canandaigua Lake.
Ontario County, NY, USA
Tina Mercer/Google Local
Seneca County is a very historical part of New York; Seneca Falls is the birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement in 1848. You can visit many historical buildings here and the National Women’s Hall of Fame shown here.
Seneca County, NY, USA
J B/Google Local
There are many historical sites in Cayuga County as well. As you pass through this county, be sure to stop in Auburn to visit the Harriet Tubman Homestead.
Cayuga County, NY, USA
DiLu 2021/Google Local
The city of Syracuse is in Onondaga County and it will be the largest city you’ve passed through since Buffalo.
Syracuse, NY, USA
Alex Aved/Google Local
Next up on your journey is Madison County. This county is full of scenic agricultural vistas.
Madison County, NY, USAmadison county ny
Evergray Lokadottr
Oneida County is best known for being home to the city of Utica. The rural areas offer many beautiful hiking spots, including Bartholomew Memorial Park in Vernon shown here.
Oneida County, NY, USA
Horst Hermann/Google Local
Many people visit Herkimer County to mine for the area’s unique Herkimer diamonds. Little Falls is a beautiful small town along the Mohawk River.
Herkimer County, NY, USA
jim catalfano/Google Local
By the time you reach Montgomery County, you’ll be almost all the way across the state. Old Fort Johnson in Fort Johnson, shown here, is a historic home that was built about 1749.
Montgomery County, NY, USA
Nurali Virani/Google Local
The city of Schenectady in Schenectady County is famous because Thomas Edison began the company that would become General Electric there. The areas around Schenectady, such as Scotia, have many lovely natural areas.
Schenectady County, NY, USA
Google Local
Finally, 370 miles from where Route 5 began, it ends in New York’s capital city of Albany. The parks along the Hudson River here are excellent for walking and biking.
Albany, NY, USA
Are you looking for more great road trips in New York? Check this out! 11 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In New York Before You Die
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