As it exits the village limits and the residential areas, NY 222 (formerly known as Cortland Road) give way to wide stretches of farmland.

NY 222's eastward track continues to a nearby intersection with CR 180 (Lafayette Road), where the route crosses Fall Creek and darts northeastward to run along the base of a large hill.

[3] The highway briefly parallels Fall Creek; however, it soon splits to the southeast at a junction with CR 103 (Groton City Road).

The highway follows a winding course until the surrounding gully empties into the much wider Tioughnioga River valley, where the route straightens out and intersects with CR 119 (Sears Road).

East of this point, NY 222 begins to run northeastward past homes as it approaches Cortland County–Chase Field Airport.

Now named Groton Avenue, the route slowly curves eastward while traversing a residential part of the city.