Driving Long Island to Daytona Beach, FL. What's my best option?

Pro for I-95 is it's by far the shortest, fastest, easiest route. The con is you end up going through Philly, Baltimore, D.C. and then even more.

Taking some other interstates through PA isn't going to get you (much) in the way of scenery. IMHO the additional distance / time isn't really worthwhile.

If you want to take things a little slower, and don't mind driving a bit farther, I would recommend concentrating your detours into a few areas...

• If somehow you haven't been through Atlantic City, put that on your list of things to do — maybe as a little "shake down" trip before you make the long trek for Spring Break (or whatever you're doing)
• Head down US-13 through DE, and cross the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel / Bridge into Norfolk, VA — that will get you some scenery and isn't as boring
• If you want, take a few hours to drive the VA coast into Virginia Beach — it's a fun town and you can surely find something to do there
• Regardless of that decision, head down to the Dare Trail via US-158 and experience the Outer Banks of NC — it'll be a good comparison when you get to Florida
• There is no short way back to I-95, and taking the back roads requires a pretty substantial commitment to slow going — so you'll have to decide how quickly you want to proceed
• Personally, I'd recommend taking the ferries (I think there are two required) to get to Morehead City, then Jacksonville, and finally Fayetteville — because that's a good place to stop but YMMV
• The rest of the coast, aside from actual cities like Myrtle Beach and Charleston, are barely worth visiting and the inland areas are extremely boring
• Taking that maximalist journey probably turns your trip from possibly one (very long) day straight through into three days / two nights but it's IMHO worthwhile