I find it interesting that so many have suggested a gravel bike, and honestly hadn't thought of one before. I understand that they are good for all(ish) terrain, but what if you are planning to be exclusively on pavement?
I ride about 70% pavement, and don’t ever see going smaller than 35mm tires. Even if I never left the pavement ever again, no way I would run smaller than 32mm.
I don’t know where in upstate you are, but a lot of the back roads are kind of crappy, and bigger tires are a big plus in my book.
Gravel Bikes are just road bike that don’t suck when you leave smooth pavement.