Vermont's Scenic Byways
TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE
Vermont’s Scenic Byways
Explore ten byways, discover places worth stopping, and plan a Vermont road trip around the journey as well as the destination.
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DISCOVER VERMONT AT YOUR OWN PACE
Find a road trip that fits your day
Vermont’s scenic byways offer a starting point for exploring the state beyond the fastest route. Choose a byway near your accommodation, decide what you would like to see, and give yourself time to enjoy the places along the way.
A good outing does not need to cover an entire byway. A shorter drive with a village lunch, a heritage stop or a walk can be more rewarding than a long checklist. Use this guide to compare the ten routes and open the individual pages for more detail.
Original 2019 byways overview. Select the image to open the original brochure. Use current navigation and road information for travel.
GET YOUR BEARINGS
Vermont byway maps & brochures
Start with a statewide overview, then narrow your route to the area you want to explore. Note where you will begin, where you will finish and which stops need reservations or specific opening hours.
The original map remains here as a reference. The newer Vermont Tourism brochure offers another planning resource, while the official byways page provides links and route information.
TEN ROUTES TO EXPLORE
Vermont scenic byway directory
Compare the route summaries below, then open a detailed guide. The planning suggestions help you shape an outing; they are not timed driving itineraries.
Lake Champlain Byway
Explore the Champlain Islands and communities along Lake Champlain.
Plan your visit: Choose a section near your base and leave time for a village stop. Confirm public access before planning a lakeside picnic or photograph.
Northeast Kingdom Byway
Links St. Johnsbury, Burke-area communities and Newport in northeastern Vermont.
Plan your visit: Pick one main destination, then add nearby stops. Check opening days before building your schedule around a particular museum or attraction.
Green Mountain Byway
Connects Waterbury, Stowe and neighboring mountain communities.
Plan your visit: Allow time outside the car. Select a short walk or town visit, then check seasonal access for the exact roads you intend to use.
Mad River Byway
Follows Routes 100 and 100B through the Mad River Valley.
Plan your visit: Plan a compact outing with a meal and one activity. Leave room to linger instead of treating every stop as a quick photograph.
Scenic Route 100 Byway
A mountain-country route associated with Vermont’s ski towns.
Plan your visit: Choose a manageable section of the designated byway. Do not assume a statewide Route 100 drive and the byway itinerary are identical.
Crossroad of Vermont Byway
An east–west route through Rutland, Killington and Woodstock.
Plan your visit: Use the route to connect an overnight base with a day’s outing. Add time for meals, parking and stops rather than relying on driving time alone.
Stone Valley Byway
Explores communities shaped by Vermont’s stone-working heritage.
Plan your visit: Make a heritage stop the focus of your day. Check museum and historic-site schedules before choosing the rest of the route.
Shires of Vermont Byway
Follows historic Route 7A between the Bennington and Manchester areas.
Plan your visit: Choose time in a town as well as time on the road. A walk, lunch or gallery visit can give the outing a more relaxed rhythm.
Molly Stark Byway
Crosses southern Vermont through mountain scenery and historic communities.
Plan your visit: Plan your viewpoints and parking before you set out. Use the detailed guide to choose stops that fit comfortably into your day.
Connecticut River Byway
Follows the Connecticut River corridor along eastern Vermont.
Plan your visit: Select a stretch close to where you are staying. Leave longer sections for another day so there is time to explore individual communities.
BUILD A BETTER ROAD TRIP
How to plan a Vermont scenic drive
Choose a comfortable distance
Work backward from how much time you want at each stop. Driving estimates do not include photographs, meals, parking or an unplanned walk. For a day trip, choose one section and keep a little spare time.
If your route ends far from your starting point, include the return journey before adding another attraction. A loop may be convenient, but it should not depend on an unfamiliar shortcut.
Check the practical details
Confirm road access, attraction hours and any reservations close to departure. Download your route before leaving and keep a backup map handy. Ask your accommodation or destination about access if your route uses smaller roads.
Plan fuel, food and rest stops rather than leaving all three to chance. If step-free access matters, check the parking area, entrance and walking surface at individual stops.
Make room for local stops
Choose one main experience: a historic site, a covered bridge, a village visit or a short walk. Add a second stop nearby instead of turning the trip into a race between distant destinations.
Use designated parking and public viewing areas. Leave driveways, farm entrances and bridge approaches clear, and respect posted signs and private property.
Adjust for the season
In warmer weather, leave time for an outdoor stop and bring what you need for the activity. For a foliage trip, keep the route flexible and check current color reports. In colder weather, review road conditions and allow extra travel time.
Do not assume every side road, attraction or seasonal facility is open year-round. Confirm the exact route rather than relying on the byway name alone.
A SIMPLE DAY ON THE ROAD
Start with three well-chosen stops
Morning: the landscape
Begin with a manageable drive and one public viewpoint or short walk. Enjoy the first stop before deciding whether to add another.
Midday: a Vermont town
Choose a town for lunch, then give yourself time for its shops, a village green or a nearby heritage attraction.
Afternoon: one highlight
Finish with a place you especially want to visit. Leave a comfortable margin for getting back to your accommodation.
This is a flexible planning outline, not a route with guaranteed driving times. Keep your stops within the same area and adjust around opening hours and weather.
HELPFUL ANSWERS
Vermont scenic byways FAQs
How many scenic byways are in Vermont?
This guide covers Vermont’s ten scenic byways. The directory links to a separate guide for each route so you can compare them and plan a manageable section.
Which Vermont scenic byway should I choose?
Start with your overnight base and the kind of outing you want. Compare the summaries above, choose a route near your plans and check the detailed guide before deciding on stops.
Can I drive a whole byway in one day?
That depends on the route, conditions and how often you stop. Rather than assuming the full route is a day trip, choose a section that leaves time for meals, sightseeing and your return journey.
Are scenic byways the same as navigation routes?
A byway is a touring route; it is not a live navigation service. Use a current map for directions and check road access, closures and seasonal conditions separately.
Can I use these routes for a fall foliage trip?
Yes. Use the byway guide to choose an area, then check Vermont’s official foliage reports close to your visit. Plan enjoyable stops as well as views so your day does not depend on a single peak-color forecast.
Are the byways suitable for cycling or large vehicles?
Do not assume every section suits every traveler. Check road width, traffic, grades, restrictions and seasonal access for your exact route and vehicle. Cyclists should choose sections appropriate to their experience.
Is the map on this page current?
The retained overview image comes from a 2019 brochure. A 2025 Vermont Tourism brochure and the official byways guide are linked alongside it. None replaces current road-condition checks or navigation.
Find more along the way
Connect your drive with a covered bridge, a fall outing or another Vermont attraction.
Route reference: Vermont Tourism’s scenic byways guide.