VERMONT SCENIC BYWAYS
Green Mountain Byway
Explore mountain scenery, village streets and time outdoors. Plan a Vermont drive that leaves room to enjoy the places along the way.
Photo credit: New England Photography
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GET TO KNOW THE ROUTE
A scenic corridor through six Vermont towns
The Green Mountain Byway organization describes a 71-mile corridor connecting Waterbury, Stowe, Morristown, Hyde Park, Johnson and Cambridge. Its network includes Routes 100, 15, 15A, 100C and 108.
Choose one part of the corridor for a relaxed day, or make several outings from the same overnight base. Leave space for a village meal, a short walk or a stop you discover along the way.
Start with: a section near your accommodation.
Bring: layers, water and a downloaded route.
Check: road access, visitor hours and the weather before leaving.
CHOOSE YOUR OUTING
Explore the Green Mountain Byway by area
These pairings are ideas for organizing your visit, not turn-by-turn directions or fixed driving loops. Use the official route map to connect your stops.
Waterbury & Stowe
Start with the Route 100 portion of your trip and choose a village stop at each end. Keep the schedule open enough for a meal or a short walk rather than adding every attraction you pass.
Planning tip: If an activity needs a reservation, build the rest of the day around it. Confirm parking and opening times before leaving your accommodation.
Morristown & Hyde Park
In Morrisville, consider the Noyes House Museum or a visit to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. Check current opening or trail information, then choose a nearby town stop and a comfortable return route.
Planning tip: Look at the route map before choosing detours. Roads that appear close on a statewide map may add more travel time than you expect.
Johnson & Cambridge
Consider the Cambridge Junction Covered Bridge area or time in Jeffersonville, where galleries offer another way to explore the region. Choose a village lunch or a suitable outdoor activity without packing the schedule too tightly.
Planning tip: Decide whether to return the way you came or use another open route. Do not assume a mountain crossing will be available in every season.
MOUNTAIN ROAD PLANNING
Check Smugglers’ Notch before you drive
The byway includes Route 108 and the separately designated Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway. The road through the Notch closes to vehicles in winter. Check current access before planning a through-drive.
If your itinerary depends on this crossing, arrange an alternative route before you leave. Check posted vehicle restrictions and do not assume the road suits a large vehicle or trailer. A navigation app alone should not determine whether to attempt the pass.
MAKE TIME OUTSIDE THE CAR
Things to do along the byway
Take a village break
Choose a public parking area and give yourself time to look around. A café stop, bookstore or local shop can turn a short pause into a memorable part of the day. Check access details if someone in your group needs a step-free route.
Find a walk that fits
The official recreation guide includes the Stowe Recreation Path and other outdoor options. Choose a distance and surface that suit everyone, and confirm trail conditions before setting out.
Add history or culture
Look for a museum, gallery or local history stop that interests your group. Check the visitor schedule and allow time to enjoy it properly. An indoor stop also gives you a useful option when the weather changes.
Pause for the scenery
Plan photographs from designated public viewing and parking areas. Keep driveways, farm entrances and travel lanes clear. Respect private land, even when a field or roadside view looks inviting.
A RELAXED DAY PLAN
Build your trip around a few good stops
Morning: Begin with a manageable section of the byway and one planned walk or scenic stop. Leave time to settle into the outing before adding detours.
Midday: Choose a village for lunch and a look around. If there is a particular attraction you want to visit, check its schedule before deciding the order of your stops.
Afternoon: Add one nearby activity, then return with a comfortable margin for weather and traffic. Check your route before relying on a mountain crossing.
This is a flexible outline, not a timed tour of the entire corridor. A shorter plan is easier to adjust and gives you more time at each destination.
Choose a base that suits your plans
Compare accommodation by its distance from your main activities, not just its location on the map. Check parking, arrival arrangements and the route you will use after dark. For a longer visit, explore a different section each day instead of moving everything to a new base.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Plan with the official route information
Use the byway organization’s overview to understand the full corridor. The original downloadable map is also retained here, but its filename dates it to 2009. It may not show the full present-day network, so check it against the official overview before planning your drive.
A brochure is a planning aid, not a live road-condition service. Confirm the exact route and seasonal access separately.
BEFORE YOU GO
Green Mountain Byway FAQs
How long is the Green Mountain Byway?
The byway organization describes the present corridor as 71 miles. Your driving distance will depend on the sections you choose, detours and the return journey.
Is it only the drive from Waterbury to Stowe?
No. That familiar Route 100 section is part of a larger corridor that also includes Morristown, Hyde Park, Johnson and Cambridge. Use the official overview to plan the wider network.
How much time should I allow?
Plan around the stops you want to enjoy. A short section can form a day outing, while a longer stay gives you time to explore different areas. There is no required four- or five-day itinerary.
Can I drive through Smugglers’ Notch in winter?
The road through the Notch closes to vehicles in winter. Check access before traveling and choose an alternate route when the crossing is closed.
Is the byway a good choice for fall foliage?
Combine a scenic drive with village stops and an activity you would enjoy regardless of the color. Check foliage reports close to your trip and keep the route flexible.
What should I pack?
Bring layers, water, rain protection and comfortable footwear. Download your route in advance and add whatever your chosen activity requires. Check the weather before deciding on an exposed walk or longer outing.
Where can I find more Vermont scenic drives?
Use our Vermont scenic byways guide to compare other routes and choose a trip near your next overnight base.
Keep exploring Vermont
Pair your mountain drive with another Vermont outing, or choose a new byway for your next visit.
Route reference: Green Mountain Byway organization.