Top Northeastern US Road Trip Routes

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If you've seen those car commercials that show a sleek vehicle traveling down a wildly undulating mountain road, there's a good chance it was State Route 97 in the Upper Delaware River Valley of Upstate New York. This winding highway follows the Delaware River, which forms a natural border between New York State and Pennsylvania. The most famous part is a section known as the Hawk's Nest, which covers the 70 miles from Point Jervis to Hancock. It takes about an hour and a half to complete the route, so while it's not the fastest way to travel between cities, it's undoubtedly the most beautiful.

In addition to stomach-churning turns and breathtaking views, travelers should also stop at landmarks along the way, including Minisink Battleground Parkwhich hosted a skirmish during the Revolutionary War, and Roebling's Aqueduct in Delawarea canal bridge and an engineering marvel built in 1848;

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Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York is nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East” for its dramatic canyon that drops 600 feet to the Genesee River below. The best place to enter the park is at the southern entrance to the town of Portageville, which is just over an hour from either Rochester or Buffalo. You can drive all the way through the park and get out at the north end, which is not even 20 miles. But consider plenty of time to shoot, take pictures, and hike around the canyon. You'll see plenty of falls on your trip to Letchworth, but if they leave you wanting more, Niagara Falls is only an hour and a half away by car.

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The Adirondacks

In the remote northeastern section of New York's Adirondack Park, there are 46 rounded peaks that rise some 4,000 feet or more into the sky, but you don't have to hike them for great views. This scenic drive begins in North Creek, New York—about an hour and a half north of Albany. From North Creek, take Route 28N as it winds through the forest and mountains. Once you reach Blue Mountain Lake, Route 28N turns into Route 28S, but continue weaving through the many charming lakes until you reach Old Forge. The entire route is almost 90 miles and has many opportunities to stop the car and enjoy nature.

Along the way, leave time for a scenic Gondola Skyride on Mount Gore. And don't miss out on the great Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, a sprawling complex that brings to life the people who have explored, settled and loved this wilderness. It's one of the top things to do in New York State.

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The Vermont Coast

Yes, Vermont has a coast: a freshwater coast along Lake Champlain. And the town of Shelburne—just a few miles south of Burlington—is a scenic spot to start a drive that offers great views of the lake and its majestic backdrop, the Adirondack Mountains across the border in New York.

Start atShelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre farm built on Lake Champlain as a model farm estate in the late 19th century. Take Route 7 South to Mount Philo State Park in Charlotte, where you can drive to the top for a panoramic view of the lake. Continue on Route 7 south to Route 22A through Vergennes and out Button Bay State Park. Once there, you can hike along a bluff overlooking Lake Champlain or even rent a boat and get out on the water. Not including time outside the car, the drive should take about an hour.

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A trail blazed by five Native American tribes became New England's first official scenic route in 1914. Cars have come a long way since then, but the 63-mile Mohawk Trail — Route 2 between Williamstown and Athol in Western Massachusetts — still leads through bucolic scenes that seem little changed in the past century. Famous for its steep Hairpin Turn, which overlooks the Hoosac Valley, it's a ride you'll especially want to enjoy in the fall. Allow time to hike a section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail that crosses the Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont. It follows the original path trodden by the first inhabitants of New England.

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The ultimate New England scenic drive—especially in the fall—is the 34.5 miles of Route 112 between Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. Known by its Native American name, Kancamagus Highway (pronounced kank-ah-MAW-goos but called “the Kanc” by the locals) was completed in 1959, connecting these towns on the east and west sides of the 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest. There are overlooks, hiking opportunities, historic sites, and campsites along this famous road, but even if you drive through (be prepared to brake when fall hits), you'll be blown away by views of the densely forested mountains and boulder Swift River.

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Think of this as the “calm now” route. Connecticut's first National Scenic Byway—Route 169 from North Woodstock to Lisbon—is a premier leaf-peeping drive that glides for 30 miles past fields, stone walls and nearly 200 homes built before the Civil War. Worthy stops on your trip include Historic New England Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Mashamoquet Brook State Park in Pomfret for deliveries and hiking, and Martha's Herbary in Pomfret for aromatic gifts. Time your route to coincide with the Brooklyn Fairthe oldest continuously running agricultural show in the US, held in late August each year.

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Set your GPS to 1460 Ocean Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island and begin this road trip to one of New England's most beautiful lighthouses: Point Judith Lighthouse. While you can't go inside, you can take a stroll around the grounds of this active lighthouse built in 1857. From here, you'll follow Ocean Road north to Narragansett Town Beachwhere surfers ride strong waves all year round. The Towers—all that remains of the Gilded Age Narragansett Pier Casino—offers an enchanting setting. Drive Route 1A North and you'll pass Historic New England's Casey Farmfounded in 1750 and still in operation and open for tours.

From there, take Route 138 east across the Jamestown Bridge, exit at Conanicut Island, and follow local roads south to Beavertail State Park on Beavertail Road. Here, you'll see the 1856 stone Beavertail Lighthouse and you can go inside the museum in the assistant keeper's house. Look east and you'll bring your lighthouse count up to three: Castle Hill Light is visible in the distance.

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Massachusetts coast

If you're a fan of fried clams, lobster and fresh fish, this is the road trip for you. It starts in Gloucester, Massachusetts – the oldest port in the US – and follows Route 127A to Route 127 along the coast north of Boston. It then turns inland to Essex on Route 133 and north once again on Route 1 to Newburyport. Along the way, you'll see Gloucester's Good Harbor Beach, one of the prettiest in New England, and the tiny fishing village of Rockport, where the arts scene thrives.

You'll be distracted by seafood shacks at almost every turn, but you might want to save your appetite for Essex, where fried clams were invented by Chubby Woodman. His descendants still prepare them in the same way Woodman's of Essexand some say the golden beauties in The Clam Box up the road in Ipswich is even better, so you'll want to try both. If you're still hungry when you reach Newburyport, finish with a scenic drive along Plum Island, stopping at the unlikely but delicious Bob the Lobster on the road. The entire route is approximately 45 miles.

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Acadia's Park Loop Road

The 27-mile Park Loop Road through Maine's Acadia National Park is as exciting as you'll find anywhere. Although it's not a long drive, expect to spend at least three to four hours driving, including stops to get out and enjoy the scenery (it can be even longer during the busy summer months due to traffic). The waves of the Atlantic crashing into the woods make for a truly dramatic landscape, made even better by the towering Cadillac Mountain — and you can drive to the top. This national park charges an entrance fee, but your entry is good for seven days of visits, so make the most of your visit by staying nearby or even camping in the park.