New York to New Hampshire

[NS Canuck]

We

[AustinBoston]

Since you don't live in the U.S., I'm giving three definitions for you:

Interstate: Limited access divided highway, always multilane and always high speed.  These are designated with red, white, and blue shields.  Shorthand puts an "I" in front of the number, so I-89 is interstate 89.  Some state roads and U.S. Highways sometimes are built like interstates, but in the northeast, people don't call them interstates unless they have the R.W.B. shield.

U.S. Routes: These vary widely, but are generally in usable shape and always paved.  They may vary from two lanes to interstate-like roads.  In the northeast, people will refer to them as "U.S. 2" or "Route 2".  Designated with a white shield.

State routes: These vary as much as the U.S. routes, but in the Northeast are almost always paved.  Every state has it's own designation, some are simple rectangular signs.  New Hampshire used to use the profile of "The Old Man of the Mountains" but that may have changed since the stone profile collapsed in the spring of 2003.

I don't know much about how narrow roads are in NS, but in "downtown" areas in New York State, you could find yourself towing down some narrow lanes and having to make lane changes (for turn lanes) in heavy traffic (depending on the time of day).  In those places, traffic won't be speeding along.  Usually, after 5-10 minutes you'll be out of it and on your way.

Most routes in/out of Lake Placid are mountanous but reasonable.  This means there are some grades, but nothing to really worry about.  There is almost as much "up and down" as there is up.  You will likely find the numerous frequent curves to be more of a problem.  Once you are out of the Lake Placid area, the terrain is fairly flat into Vermont.

The route I got was interstate highway (high-speed major highway with a red, white, & blue shield) from Burlington, Vermont to Montpelier, Vermont.  It's good road last I saw it about 7 years ago.

Google maps picked U.S. 2 from Montpelier to the New Hampshire border.  I don't recall ever riding on this road so I can't comment.

Near White River Junction, it switched to I-91 for a short stretch, then I-93.  Both good roads (but I don't know about construction).  I-93 goes through the western part of the White Mountains through Franconia Notch.  There you can get off I-93 and use U.S. 3 or other roads in New Hampshire.

Unless your tow vehicle is underpowered or your trailer is overloaded (and doesn't have brakes) then you should have no trouble handling those roads.

If you are spending more than a night or two in the White Mountains, pick a centrally located campground and leave the pop-up there, then make day trips to the sites you want to see.

I'm afraid I can't comment on the route from there back to Nova Scotia beyond saying some roads in Maine can be steep (but not really steep) in short sections.

Austin

[jpurdy1942]

http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us/
the above link is to the state park in N.H.
One that I like is Whites Lake State Park.
If you are traveling on I-93 then exit at Lincoln N.H. and travel east on the Kangamangus Highway, great ride, to route 302.
Whites Lake is in Tammworth N.H. which is south of this highway.
this site and a good map should help you make your decisions
I hope you enjoy the NH visit
My plan is to be there next year

[Gutpile]

I can talk a little about the Adirondacks, but understand that my experience towing a pu is limited to the last few weekends and the southern Adirondack roads.  I do get to Lake Placid once or twice a year.  Generally I think NY does a great job with the roads in the Adirondack region.  There are not a lot of choices as far as roads go as you travel the region, and fortunately they are quality highways.  For the most part the forests are trimmed back from the roads and the roads themselves are void of damage, ie, potholes, etc.  I find them very conducive to a relaxing ride.  In many places one could actually travel quite fast if he chose to (NOT with something in tow!).

I talked to a client last week who had just returned from Lake Placid and he ran into construction going through the Keene Valley, which is the stretch between Lake Placid and the Adirondack Northway (running north/south along west side of Lake Champlain).  With a lack of alternate routes, construction is a problem.

One can spend several days in the Lake Placid area quite easily.  It is a unique mix of Adirondack and International influences.  I have yet to camp there, so can't help you there.

The Mirror Lake Inn sits lakeside and manhattan served in one of the Inn's glasses on their deck is special for me.

Enjoy.