Looking for some sage advice on DC to Syracuse NY route. Like the idea of skipping all those hills (mountains) in PA and heading somewhere up to Albany then west to Syracuse. The Erie Canal is probably the best, but how to get there thru. New Jersey and SE NY? The ACA route seems not so good. Any advice? Spring time/BOB Yak/mostly stealthy (but maybe too populated along the NJ / NYC leg?)

Thanks in advance...