8 Most Scenic Drives in Vermont

Mostly covered by lush forests, Vermont offers gorgeous natural views of forested mountains and valleys. Each route features amazing sights and fun activities. Explore many scenic landscapes in State Parks like Molly Stark and Nature Preserves such as the Black Mountain Natural Area. In the fall, enjoy the crisp air and colorful fall foliage, a particularly lovely time to visit the state. In summer, swim in beautiful Lake Champlain or one of the many rivers. In winter, ski down white mountain slopes. Vermont has activities for every season, and is truly delightful to discover by car. Consider these eight most scenic drives in Vermont for your next road trip!

Connecticut River Byway

The only national byway in Vermont, take a drive down the Connecticut River Byway to experience the scenic beauty of the Green Mountains in Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. This route follows the Connecticut River for 410 miles across the state of Vermont. For a bite-sized chunk of this incredible byway, start in the small town of Guilford at the Guilford Country Store, a great spot for breakfast or lunch. Follow Route 5 along the river and end the journey in the historical St. Johnsbury. This section takes around three and a half hours.

For nature lovers, stop for a hike at Molly State Park near Brattleboro or the famous Appalachian Trail near Norwich. Both offer breathtaking forest and mountain views. For history, check out the Fort at No. 4 near Springfield, which operates as a living history museum with daily reenactments. After reaching St. Johnsbury, visit the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium for natural history exhibits.

Crossroad of Vermont Byway

The Crossroad of Vermont Byway takes you across the state from east to west through cute little towns like Woodstock and Killington. This route starts in Rutland near Main Street Park, which hosts community events like craft fairs. For sustenance before the drive, breakfast at Johnny Boys Pancake House.

Take US-4 East towards the ending point, Hartford Historical Society in Hartford Village. Along the way, visit historical places in Woodstock like Billing’s Farm & Museum, a working 1890s dairy farm. Nearby, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park offers a Victorian mansion tour, hiking trails, and an informative visitor center. This scenic drive is about an hour with no stops.

Green Mountain Byway

Travel between the Green Mountains and the Worcester Range via the scenic Green Mountain Byway. This route begins in the town of Waterbury. Grab a bite in this cute town before your adventure. For breakfast or brunch, eat at a cute little place called Maxy’s, a local favorite. For lunch, try Salt & Rind in the historic district. People rave about their fresh oysters.

Head on Route 100 N towards Stowe and then continue in a loop passing through Mount Mansfield State Forest, Jeffersonville, and Hyde Park. For outdoor adventure, hike part of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. For those interested in historic towns, stretch your legs in the Jeffersonville Historic District. For relaxed outdoor fun, stroll through Cady’s Falls Botanical Garden near Hyde Park. End your trip in Stowe and check out the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum for exhibits on snow sports.

Lake Champlain Byway

Enjoy beautiful lake views from the road on Lake Champlain Byway. The full route takes around 4 to 5 hours for those who feel ambitious. Otherwise, begin your journey from Alburgh and drive down US Route 2 through the islands. Stop at areas of natural beauty like Knight Point State Park, Grand Isle State Park, and Sand Bar State Park. For family vacations, both kids and adults can enjoy and play in the shallow waters of the beach at Sand Bar State Park.

After the islands, travel along the coast of Lake Champlain on US Route 7. For those interested in history or art, check out the Shelburne Museum, which features 25 historic buildings, 22 gardens, and the Webb Gallery. For a more unique attraction, see the world’s tallest filing cabinet in Burlington. Finish this short road trip in the small town of Ferrisburgh and visit the Rokeby Museum near Ferrisburgh. This 18th-century farmstead gives a glimpse into an interesting past as it was part of the underground railroad. Driving without stops between Alburgh and Ferrisburgh takes about an hour and forty minutes.

Northeast Kingdom Byway

In 1949, Governor George Aiken created the nickname “Northeast Kingdom” in reference to beautiful Northeastern Vermont. Journey on this scenic byway through historic villages nestled in gently rolling hills and lovely mountains. Start in Newport, next to the pristine Lake Memphremagog. Enjoy lake views from the city or from the nearby Memphremagog hiking trails.

Continue the drive towards the small town of Westmore and Lake Willoughby. For easy scenic views, stop at Lake Willoughby’s North or South Beach. For those who enjoy outdoor adventure, hike the Mount Pisgah Trail to the North Overlook. Grab a bite in Lyndonville at one of the cute restaurants like Sweet Basil Cafe or The Pizza Man. While in the Lyndon area, take a short detour to drive under the nearby Historic Miller’s Run Covered Bridge and Historic Chamberlin Mill Covered Bridge. Finish your journey in St. Johnsbury. For train enthusiasts, visit the Railroad Street Historic District.

Mad River Byway

The people of Mad River Valley tell visitors, “Come for the Mountains. Stay for the Valley.” Explore the beautiful Mad River Valley on this Vermont scenic byway. This route begins in Middlesex, Vermont. Enjoy a pastry or sandwich at Red Hen Bakery before the drive or see some river views at Kenneth Ward Park. Follow routes 100 and 100B towards Appalachian Gap and then end in Granville. At Granville, shop at a few of the local stores like Green Mountain Glassworks.

For theater lovers, see a show at Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield. For history and architecture, drive through the Historic Waitsfield Covered Bridge. If you're visiting in autumn, consider a hike on the Appalachian Gap Trail to see vibrant and colorful foliage. The Mad River Glen Cooperative boasts the most challenging and diverse ski terrain in the New England area. The resort and area provide easy slopes, making it also ideal for family trips or beginner skiers during the wintertime. During the summer, hike up to Warren Falls for a swim in some of the naturally formed pools.

Molly Stark Byway

Named after the brave wife of General John Stark, who won the Battle of Bennington, the Molly Stark Byway provides history, scenic outdoor views, and adventure of all kinds. Start from Brattleboro and make your way towards Bennington. The total driving time without stops is about 1 hour.

In Brattleboro, there is a lot to see and do, such as taking a hike on Retreat Trail and seeing the spooky Retreat Tower, built by the patients of Vermont Asylum in 1887. Drive through the Historic Creamery Covered Bridge or get views of the bridge from the nearby Summer Farmer’s Market. As you continue driving down Vermont’s southernmost byway, stretch your legs and enjoy fantastic views at Hogback Mountain or Molly Stark State Park. Just a little further, visit Wilmington Village Historic District for both history and cute shops. At the end of the route, visit some of Bennington’s historic places, like the Battle Monument that marks the Battle of Bennington in 1777, and the Bennington Museum for some local history.

Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy other activities or events. During winter, ski at Prospect Mountain Ski Area near the village of Woodford. To see amazing fall color, hike a little of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The Shires of Vermont Byway

Discover southwestern Vermont on the Shires of Vermont Byway. The name of this byway comes from Shire Town, an old way of saying “county seat.” Start in the cute village of Pownal and travel through Bennington, also known as the South Shire, and Manchester, the North Shire. The route takes about 45 minutes without any breaks,

In Pownel, try the best roast beef in Southern Vermont (according to the locals) at the Village Market. Travel up to Bennington and taste the best apple cider donuts in town at the Apple Barn and Bake Shop. Explore the Downtown Bennington Historic District. For literature and poetry fans, visit the Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College. This scenic byway passes through many historic villages and communities like Shaftsbury, Arlington, and Sunderland.

For architecture and history lovers, visit the Lincoln Family Home in Hildene, near Manchester. This Georgian revival-style manor home was used by Abraham Lincoln’s family and contains artifacts like his iconic hat. Learn more about US history while exploring a beautiful manor house.

The scenic landscapes in Vermont change beautifully with every season. Though many visit Vermont in the fall, every season offers fun activities and opportunities to explore. Hike through green forests in the summer, view fields of flowers in the spring, and ski down mountain slopes in the winter. No matter which of the drives you take, the lush landscapes of Vermont will take your breath away. Many of these routes boast views of the infamous Green Mountains and Appalachian Gap. Besides views, each drive also features adorable villages with welcoming locals. Experience history, culture, and nature on these 8 scenic drives in Vermont.