Road Information |
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| Total Mileage in State: | 183 miles | |
| Northern End: | At Canadian border | |
| Southern End: | At Pennsylvania state line | |
| Mileage covered in Photos: | 183 miles | |
| Counties covered in Photos: | Jefferson, Oswego, Onondaga, Cortland, Broome | |
| Major Junctions in Photos: | I-781, near Watertown I-481 South, in Cicero I-90 (NYS Thruway), near Syracuse I-690, in Syracuse I-481 North, near Syracuse I-86/NY 17, in Binghamton |
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| Control Cities in Photos: | Watertown, Cicero, Syracuse, Cortland, Binghamton | |
Southbound
- Section 1: Canadian Border to Adams (Exit 41)
- Section 2: Adams (Exit 41) to Syracuse (Exit 21)
- Section 3: Syracuse (Exit 21) to Marathon (Exit 9)
- Section 4: Marathon (Exit 9) to Pennsylvania Border
Section 1: Canadian Border to Adams (Exit 41)
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield near mile marker 183, shortly after crossing into New York (and the United States) from Canada. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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The speed limit on Interstate 81 South starts out at 65 mph, which is standard on most rural Interstates in New York. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign near mile marker 182.5. It's 27 miles to Watertown and 100 miles to Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 182. Just ahead, we will cross one of the series of bridges known as the Thousand Island Bridge. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 51: Island Road / Island State Parks (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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At mile marker 180, the speed limit decreases to 40 mph as Interstate 81 is reduced to two lanes (one northbound, one southbound) as it prepares to cross the Thousand Islands Bridge. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Just before starting across the bridge, another speed limit sign is posted as well as a sign stating that trucks should try to maintain 500 feet of spacing between one another across the bridge. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South starting across the Thousand Islands Bridge. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Another view from the Thousand Islands Bridge, southbound. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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A view from the peak of the Thousand Islands Bridge, as it starts to descend back down to solid ground. Once we're on the south side of the bridge, the speed limit increases to 55 mph. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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One final view from the Thousand Islands Bridge southbound, as we near the southern end of it. It is a toll bridge, but the toll plaza for southbound traffic is actually located on the Canadian span of the bridge. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Rest Area / New York Welcome Center located near mile marker 179, just to the south of the Thousand Islands Bridge. You can see the bridge's toll plaza here for northbound traffic. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 50S: NY 12 South - Clayton (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 50N: NY 12 North - Alexandria Bay (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield located just past Exit 50N. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Also just past Exit 50N, the speed limit increases to the standard 65 mph once again. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 176. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Another speed limit sign near mile marker 174. Speed Limit - 65 mph. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 173. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 49: NY 411 - Theresa / LaFargeville (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 169. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Parking Area / Text Stop located just south of mile marker 168. New York designates all of its Rest Areas as "Text Stops" on their signs in an attempt to discourage texting while driving. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 166. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 163. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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This big sign lists the distances to the two upcoming interchanges. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 48A to Fort Drum, Home of 10th Mountain Division. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 160. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching Exit 48A - 1 mile. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 48A for Interstate 781 East / To US 11. Take Exit 48 for NY 342 to Carthage. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 48A: Interstate 781 / To US 11 - Fort Drum (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 48: NY 342 / To NY 37 / To NY 3 - Black River / Carthage (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exits 47, 46, or 45 to Watertown. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Sign listing the distances to the three upcoming exits to Watertown. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Parking Area located near mile marker 159. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 47: NY 12 - Bradley St / Clayton (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 46 to the Community College and the Fairgrounds. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Also take Exit 46 to Dexter and Cape Vincent. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take either Exit 46 or Exit 45 to the Mall. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 46: NY 12F - Coffeen St / Airport (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 45: NY 3 - Arsenal St / Sackets Harbor (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 152. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 150. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 44: NY 232 - Watertown Center (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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When the lights on this sign are flashing, all trucks must enter the Weigh Station at the Rest Area ahead. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Rest Area / Truck Inspection Station located just south of mile marker 148. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 43: US 11 - Kellogg Hill (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exits 42 through 32 to the Tug Hill Region. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 42: NY 177 - Smithville (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 143. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 41 to Henderson Harbor. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 41: NY 178 - Adams / Henderson (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
Section 2: Adams (Exit 41) to Syracuse (Exit 21)
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield just south of Exit 41. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 139. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign on Interstate 81 South. It's 16 miles to Pulaski and 50 miles to Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 40: NY 193 - Ellisburg / Pierrepont Manor (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Parking Area located near mile marker 134. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 39: Mannsville (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 38: US 11 (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South entering Oswego County. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 37 to Boylston. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Also take Exit 37 to Sandy Island Beach State Park. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 37: Sandy Creek / Lacona (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 128. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 36 to the Fish Hatchery and Selkirk Shores State Park. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 36: Pulaski (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign on Interstate 81 South. It's 11 miles to Parish and 35 miles to Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 121. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 35: To US 11 - Tinker Tavern Rd (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 117. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 34 to Oswego. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 34: NY 104 - Mexico (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 33: NY 69 - Parish (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign to the south of Exit 33. It's 8 miles to Central Square and 24 miles to Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 110. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 107. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take any of the next 3 exits to the Oneida Lake Region. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 32: NY 49 - Central Square (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Once again, when the lights on this sign are flashing, all trucks must enter the Weigh / Inspection Station located ahead. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Truck Inspection Area located near mile marker 102. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 31 to Fishing Access and Canal Park. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 31: To US 11 - Bartell Rd / Brewerton (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South entering Onondaga County. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 98. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 30: NY 31 - Cicero / Bridgeport (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exits 28 through 17 to the Syracuse Area. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Traffic looking to bypass the downtown Syracuse area should use Interstate 481 South. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching Exits 29N-S - 1 mile. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 29S to Utica. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 29N: NY 481 North - North Syracuse / Oswego (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 29S: Interstate 481 South - DeWitt (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Use Exit 27 to the Passenger Terminal of the Syracuse Airport, and use Exit 26 to General Aviation and Air Guard. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 28: Taft Rd / North Syracuse (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exits 27-26: US 11 - Mattydale / Syracuse Airport (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching Exit 25A - 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 25A: Interstate 90 (NYS Thruway) - Albany / Buffalo (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 25: 7th North St / Liverpool (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching Exits 23A-23B-22 - 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 23A to the Bus & Train Station, NBT Bank Stadium, and Regional Market. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 22 to the Fairgrounds and Zoo. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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As Interstate 81 South approaches downtown Syracuse, the speed limit decreases to 55 mph. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exits 23A-23B-22: NY 298 / To Interstate 690 West - Hiawatha Blvd / Destiny USA Dr / Bear St (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 19 to Dome Parking. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South as it enters the Syracuse city limits. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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You can also take Exit 21 to Interstate 690 West. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 21: Spencer St / Catawba St (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
Section 3: Syracuse (Exit 21) to Marathon (Exit 9)
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 20: Franklin St / West St (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 19: Clinton St / Salina St. Also, the speed limit decreases to 45 mph at this point through downtown Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching the junction of Interstate 690 East in downtown Syracuse. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the junction of Interstate 690 East in downtown. This interchange has no exit number assigned to it. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 18 to OnCenter and Syracuse University. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 18: Harrison St / Adams St (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield to the south of Exit 18. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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At mile marker 84, the speed limit increases once again to 55 mph as we leave downtown. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 17 to Onondaga Community College. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 17: S State St / S Salina St / Brighton Ave (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching Exit 16A - 1 mile on the left. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 83. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 16A: Interstate 481 North - DeWitt (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Just south of Exit 16A, the standard speed limit of 65 mph resumes. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign on Interstate 81 South. It's 3 miles to Nedrow and 67 miles to Binghamton. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 16: US 11 - Onondaga Nation Territory (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 77. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 76. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 15: US 20 - LaFayette (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 73. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Just like before, when the lights on this sign are flashing, all trucks must enter the inspection station ahead. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Truck Inspection Station located just south of mile marker 72. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield at mile marker 71. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 70. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 14: NY 80 - Tully (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 66. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South entering Cortland County. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 13: NY 281 - Preble (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign just south of Exit 13. It's 8 miles to Homer, 10 miles to Cortland, and 49 miles to Binghamton. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 61. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 59. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 57. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exits 12 and 11 to Cortland. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 56. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 12 to Ithaca and Fillmore Glen State Park. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 12: US 11 / NY 41 / NY 281 - Homer / Cortland (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 54. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 11 to SUNY Cortland. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 11: NY 13 - Cortland / Ithaca (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 51. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 10: US 11 / NY 41 - McGraw (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign to the south of Exit 10. It's 12 miles to Marathon and 36 miles to Binghamton. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 47. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 46. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 45. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 42. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 9 to Bowman Lake State Park. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 9: US 11 / NY 221 - Marathon (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
Section 4: Marathon (Exit 9) to Pennsylvania Border
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Mileage sign to the south of Exit 9. It's 7 miles to Whitney Point and 24 miles to Binghamton. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South as it enters Broome County at mile marker 36. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 35. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Once again, all trucks must stop at the Inspection Station ahead at the Rest Area when the lights on this sign are flashing. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the Rest Area / Truck Inspection Station located at mile marker 33.5. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 8 to Greene. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 8: NY 79 / To US 11 / To NY 26 / To NY 206 - Whitney Point / Lisle (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield just to the south of Exit 8. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Speed limit sign at mile marker 28.5. Once again, the standard speed limit on most rural Interstates in New York is 65 mph. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 27.5. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 26. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 24. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 7: US 11 - Castle Creek (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Mileage sign to the south of Exit 7. It's now just 7 miles to Binghamton and 62 miles to Scranton. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 20. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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At mile marker 18, the speed limit decreases to 55 mph as we approach the Binghamton area. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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A closer view of the speed limit signs as the decrease in speed goes into effect. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Trucks to Interstate 88 should use Exit 5. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 6: US 11 / To Interstate 88 / To NY 12 - Chenango Bridge / Nimmonsburg (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Big green sign listing the exits to Binghamton off Interstate 81 and NY 17, as well as the distances to each. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 15. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 5: US 11 / To Interstate 88 East - Front St / Broome Community College (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Stay in the right lane to remain on Interstate 81 South to NY 17 East. Stay in the left lane for NY 17 West. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the interchange for NY 17 West. Like the junction of Interstate 690 East in downtown Syracuse, this interchange is not assigned an exit number. I-81 and NY 17 East will run concurrently for a short distance ahead. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Road view on Interstate 81 South as it runs concurrently with NY 17 East and curves to the east briefly. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 13. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 4S: NY 7 South - Binghamton (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 4N: NY 7 North - Hillcrest (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Dual Interstate 81 South / NY 17 East shields just past Exit 4N. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 11.5, as I-81 begins to curve back to the south once again. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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At mile marker 10.5, the standard speed limit of 65 mph resumes. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Take Exit 3 to Colesville Rd. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 10. (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 3: Industrial Park (Photo taken 7/4/15). |
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Interstate 81 South approaching the departure of NY 17 East - 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at the southern end of its concurrency with NY 17, as NY 17 departs to the East toward New York City. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 2: US 11 - Five Mile Point (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South assurance shield located just south of Exit 2. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 7.5. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 5.5. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Take Exit 1 to Broome Corporate Park. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at Exit 1: US 11 / NY 7 - Kirkwood / Conklin (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Scranton lies 45 miles ahead on Interstate 81 South. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 2. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South: Road view from mile marker 1. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Interstate 81 South at mile marker 0.5, as we near the Pennsylvania border. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |
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Approaching the border, the Pennsylvania Welcome Center lies 1 mile ahead as Interstate 81 South prepares to leave New York. (Photo taken 7/5/15). |