12 of the Most Beautiful Drives in Vermont

Exploring Vermont’s Most Scenic Routes

Vermont several scenic byways that curve through mountains and connect valleys across the state. These colorful roads link old-fashioned downtowns and farms, stretching from 14 miles to over 400 miles long.

Most routes welcome cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, though some close when snow falls. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Route 100

Route 100 stretches 146 miles along the east side of the Green Mountains. Often called “Vermont’s Main Street” and “The Skier’s Highway,” it links some of the Northeast’s best skiing spots including Stowe and Waterbury.

This road serves as the main route for Vermont tourism. It connects Mount Snow, Stratton, Okemo, Killington, Sugarbush, and Stowe resorts, making it popular with winter sports fans.

Nature highlights include clean mountain streams, the Waterbury Reservoir, and countless Green Mountain views. Small towns appear regularly along the route, each with its own character and history going back many generations.

Route 100 stays open all year, though winter driving needs care during snowstorms. Services show up regularly as you drive, including gas stations, places to eat, and spots to stay overnight.

2. Smuggler’s Notch

A dramatic 3.5-mile stretch on Route 108 links Stowe and Jeffersonville through a narrow mountain gap. This notch got its name during the War of 1812 when local people smuggled goods to Canada despite trade bans.

During Prohibition, the route saw more smuggling as alcohol flowed south from Canada. Road construction began in 1910 but improvements came in 1922, just in time for bootleggers to make good use of it.

Starting at Barnes Camp Visitor Center, this scenic road takes travelers through a steep and twisting pass with beautiful views and outdoor activities.

Huge rock formations tower over the narrow roadway.

This highway gives access to the Long Trail and various hiking paths leading to Mount Mansfield’s peak. Road closures happen each fall for the winter season as its narrow, winding path becomes unsafe for drivers in snowy weather.

3. Connecticut River Byway

Vermont’s only National Scenic Byway covers 500 miles along the Connecticut River. This three-state route begins in Massachusetts and heads north through Vermont and New Hampshire to the Canadian border.

River waters create the border between Vermont and New Hampshire. Historic river towns dot the route including Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Windsor, and St. Johnsbury, each with unique buildings and culture.

Cultural stops include the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury and the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro, Vermont’s only Art Deco hotel built in 1938.

Fertile farm fields line the byway with many farm stands selling local crops and products. Several bridges connect Vermont and New Hampshire, letting you explore both states during your trip.

4. Lake Champlain Byway

A 184-mile route follows the northern part of Lake Champlain from the Canadian border southward. Lake Champlain Byway offers amazing scenery, including the Champlain Islands where Grand Isle County has Vermont’s own fossil reef.

Driving provides mountain views in two directions with the Adirondacks to the west and Green Mountains to the east, framing the blue lake waters.

Burlington, Vermont’s biggest city, serves as a major stop along the way, offering city comforts amid natural beauty.

Burlington’s waterfront has parks, boat rentals, and places to eat. Fun outdoor options include beaches, boat launches, and bike paths like the Island Line Trail.

Seasonal ferry boats connect various points along the lake, including crossings to New York state.

5. Mad River Byway

A 36-mile pretty route follows Routes 100 and 100B through central Vermont. Mad River Byway winds through communities including Waitsfield and Warren, showing beautiful views and local food and shopping spots.

Mad River gives the byway its name, flowing alongside much of the route through a valley between mountain ranges. Warren Falls offers a popular swimming spot during summer, with clear pools formed by ancient ice movement.

Local food and drink stops include Mad River Distillers and Lawson’s Finest Liquids brewery. Mad River Path connects several parts of the byway with walking trails open to visitors of all abilities.

Driving directions cover Middlesex Village on Route 2, Moretown on Route 100B, and Waitsfield, Warren, and Granville Gulf Reservation on Route 100.

6. Molly Stark Byway

Named after General John Stark’s wife, this route cuts through southern Vermont from Brattleboro to Bennington. Molly Stark’s husband led Colonial fighters to victory at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777.

Your 48-mile journey travels through Green Mountain National Forest sections and passes through Woodford, Vermont’s highest settled town at over 2,200 feet elevation. Revolution War connections appear everywhere, with historical signs noting important sites from America’s fight for freedom.

Your route passes many state parks, hiking trails, and winter sports centers. Bennington features the 306-foot Bennington Battle Monument, Vermont’s tallest structure, celebrating the critical 1777 victory.

Weather changes quickly at higher elevations, with snow possible from October through May in mountain sections.

7. Green Mountain Byway

This is a 71-mile route starts in Waterbury and heads north through many communities.

Green Mountain Byway passes through Stowe, Morrisville, Johnson, and Cambridge, letting you experience famous Smuggler’s Notch, visit beautiful waterfalls, and sample Vermont’s best ice cream, beer, cheese, and donuts.

Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak at 4,393 feet, stands out in the landscape along with the Worcester Range. Classic New England villages line the route, showing white church steeples and traditional architecture from the 1800s.

Outdoor fun waits in all seasons, from hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing. This byway connects to Smugglers’ Notch, allowing you to combine multiple scenic routes for a full Vermont experience.

Many pull-offs let you safely admire views without blocking traffic.

8. Route 7A

This one is a 33-mile route connects fifteen Vermont towns and villages in the southwest corner of the state. Anchored by Bennington (South Shire) and Manchester (North Shire), these 15 Vermont towns link together along historic Route 7A.

Batten Kill River flows through the valley, famous for legendary trout fishing going back hundreds of years. Manchester offers fancy shopping outlets alongside historic sites like Hildene, the Lincoln family home built by Abraham Lincoln’s son.

Bennington houses multiple museums, covered bridges, and poet Robert Frost’s grave. Historic Route 7A runs parallel to the Long Trail, a hiking path following Vermont’s full length from Massachusetts to Canada; part of this trail also makes up the Appalachian Trail.

This route gives great access to many hiking trailheads for those wanting to explore on foot.

9. Stone Valley Scenic Byway

This route celebrates Vermont’s slate and marble industry that formed the region.

Stone Valley Scenic Byway cuts through central Vermont, where slate and marble quarrying history appears everywhere, alongside historic, picture-perfect towns and farms.

It connects Hubbardton, Castleton, Poultney, Wells, and Pawlet, each with strong ties to the stone industry. Cultural attractions include the Dorset Playhouse and museums run by the Poultney Historical Society.

Roadside history signs explain the growth of Vermont’s stone industry from the 1800s through today. Rural countryside features working farms with products sold at seasonal stands.

10. Northeast Kingdom Byway

Northeast Kingdom Byway passes through St. Johnsbury, Lyndon, East and West Burke, and Newport, offering endless outdoor fun year-round, quintessential Vermont villages with classic architecture, and rich diversity.

This region earned its nickname from US Senator George Aiken who was struck by its natural beauty. St. Johnsbury serves as the cultural center with the Fairbanks Museum, Athenaeum, and St. Johnsbury Academy campus.

Newport sits on Lake Memphremagog, with part of the lake stretching into Canada. Burke Mountain offers skiing in winter and mountain biking in summer with over 100 miles of trails.

Cell phone coverage remains limited in parts of the Kingdom, so bring paper maps or download directions before your journey.

11. Route 17

Route 17 between Waitsfield and Bristol crosses a challenging mountain pass with dramatic height changes. Appalachian Gap Road climbs to nearly 2,400 feet at the top before dropping through a series of sharp turns.

Wide-open views appear at the highest points, with mountain ranges visible in all directions on clear days. Steep slopes and tight curves require careful driving and vehicles in good condition.

Winter closures happen regularly, typically from November through April or May depending on snow levels. Several hiking trails start from parking areas at the gap, including access to the Long Trail.

Mad River Glen ski area sits just off the route, known for its challenging slopes and single-chair lift.

12. Skyline Drive

From historic Route 7A between Manchester and Arlington, Skyline Drive—the longest privately owned, paved toll road in America—rises 3,248 feet to the top of Mount Equinox.

Looking left into the valley as you reach the mountain top, you’ll see the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration, North America’s only Carthusian monastery. This road has worked non-stop since 1947.

From the top, you can enjoy complete 360-degree views of the Green, White, Adirondack, and Berkshire Mountains. Cars pay $20.00 and motorcycles $12.00, with the road open from 9 am to 4 pm daily when tolls are collected.

Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center at the summit holds exhibits about the mountain’s history and natural features.

When going back down, put your vehicle in its lowest gear so the engine helps slow you down—don’t ride your brakes constantly but use them firmly when needed.

Read More from This Brand:

• 8 More Beautiful Routes in Vermont You Need to Drive On This 2025
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