There are Highways & there are Highways -
NY Thruway (Rt. 90) is too crowded & everybody drives too fast, saying alive takes all your focus. You never realize that it parallels the Erie Canal that was the industrial spine of the US until the mid 20th Century.
Route 88 that runs from Albany to Binghamton is about the loneliest road I was ever on, including Death Valley, or at least it was when I used to drive it. - Beautiful countryside & neat twisties on the 2 lane that parallels it.
Rt.17/I86 is just right if you want to make time but occassional look to the side to take in the scenery.