Steve, Map Quest sent you south on 95 to NYC? That seems too far east to make sense to me from your home. What Doug said makes more sense from a driver's V. P. I was thinking that Harrisburg, PA is a "natural" meet point if you look at a map, JMHO. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to meet up near NYC and lead us down, but we need to be a bit practical on driving distances for all of us. No?
My take would be if John ( from Albany area ) intends to go to BG you and he could meet up somewhere south of you. Then I would meet you guys in Harrisburg, PA where 81 joins 78. This way all of us are always moving towards BG at all times. What do you think?
Yes, I stop when the car gets hungry and that usually means 4 stops from my home to BG. My bladder is usually good for a fuel run stint.

Tom