Take I-90 (NY State Thruway) east to Exit 36 (Syracuse). Pick up I-81 north and follow to Watertown. Take Route 3 and follow it east to Saranac Lake, then follow Route 86 east to Lake Placid. Drive times: from Buffalo - 5 and 1/2 hours, from Rochester - 4 and 1/2 hours, from Syracuse - 3 and 1/2 hours.