Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh would add 1 hour, 17 minutes to the drive and is not on the route. Just suck it up and do it in a day. It's not that far.

Google maps says it adds 12 minutes.

DC straight to Niagara Falls is 7:25. 397 miles

DC to Pittsburgh is 4:18. 241 miles

Pittsburgh to Niagara Falls is 3:39. 238 mles

I guess it depends on time of day for the time, but that's 32 extra minutes and 82 extra miles.

When I Google Map DC to Niagara Falls, several options pop up and none of them go near Pittsburgh.

I guess I don't live near you in the DMV, because when I google map DC to Niagara falls, one of the three options it gives goes through or around Pittsburgh and only adds a negligible amount of time.

I just generically Googled "Washington DC" and "Niagara Falls." Not my address. There, I just did it again. This time the Pittsburgh route comes up, but it is 81 miles longer with a stopoff in Pittsburgh (and has tolls, the shorter way up 15 doesn't.)

81 miles of interstate highway does not necessarily mean it's significantly longer in terms of time. The most directional route through central Pa. is often on backroads (or, at the very least, non-interstates with traffic lights). That adds time.

I don't know what to tell you, but -- based on experience and simple internet skills -- driving through Pittsburgh to Niagara Falls does not add a significant amount of time.

Right now, from my location within DC proper, driving to Niagara Falls NY through Pittsburgh is 7 hours 27 minutes, per Google.

From my location to Niagara Falls NY, avoiding Pittsburgh: 7 hours 35 minutes.

OP, this suggestion won't address your desire to stop halfway, but as another person mentioned, the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, NY, is absolutely amazing. I've taken my kids at various ages—young, tweens, and more recently, older teens—and we had a great time every time.

Watkins Glen and Letchworth are also beautiful places.

We have also done the trip with a stop in Pittsburgh and enjoyed that as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are doing a big road trip loop, ultimately ending in Seven Springs for a week. So planning on a 1 or 2 night stop on the way to Niagara (I know it’s not that nice but I think my kids will love it) and then we will loop back through Erie on the way down to Seven Springs. I like the idea of Corning even though it’s more than halfway. We are doing a day trip to Pittsburgh to see family while we are in Seven Springs so I’m trying to find a stop straight north. Thanks all!

Corning and Ithaca are definitely straight north. Also Cooperstown but it’s more out of the way.

Corning yes. Ithaca no.

We've been there twice (once for a family visit only), and stopped at Pittsburgh once and Corning another time. Both are great. We also visited Watkins Glen and did some glass blowing in Corning.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are doing a big road trip loop, ultimately ending in Seven Springs for a week. So planning on a 1 or 2 night stop on the way to Niagara (I know it’s not that nice but I think my kids will love it) and then we will loop back through Erie on the way down to Seven Springs. I like the idea of Corning even though it’s more than halfway. We are doing a day trip to Pittsburgh to see family while we are in Seven Springs so I’m trying to find a stop straight north. Thanks all!

Corning and Ithaca are definitely straight north. Also Cooperstown but it’s more out of the way.