New England’s winding roads tell stories that span centuries, weaving through landscapes that shift like a kaleidoscope with each passing season. From coastal highways hugging dramatic cliffs to mountain passes slicing through ancient peaks, this corner of America delivers some of the most breathtaking drives you’ll encounter anywhere.
Whether you’re chasing fall foliage, seeking summer coastal breezes, or simply wanting to escape into nature’s embrace — these routes offer experiences that linger long after you’ve returned home. The beauty of a New England road trip isn’t just about the destination.
It’s found in every curve, every vista, and every small town that appears around the bend. Here is a list of 15 scenic drives that showcase the very best this historic region has to offer.
Kancamagus Highway
The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire has earned its reputation as one of America’s most spectacular drives — particularly when autumn transforms the White Mountain National Forest into a canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. This 34-mile stretch of Route 112 connects Lincoln and Conway without a single commercial establishment cluttering the view.
Just pure, unfiltered wilderness. The road climbs to nearly 3,000 feet at Kancamagus Pass, offering pullouts where you can stretch your legs and soak in panoramic mountain views that seem to stretch forever.
During peak foliage season, traffic moves at a leisurely pace, though that just gives you more time to appreciate nature’s grand performance.
Acadia All-American Road
Maine’s Acadia All-American Road loops around Mount Desert Island like a scenic necklace — connecting Bar Harbor to the rugged beauty of Acadia National Park. The 40-mile route takes you past pristine lakes, through charming villages, and along coastlines where waves crash against pink granite cliffs with thunderous applause.
Cadillac Mountain, accessible via a short detour, provides the first sunrise views in the continental United States from October through March. The drive’s crown jewel might be the Park Loop Road section, where you can pull over at Thunder Hole to witness the Atlantic Ocean’s raw power as it pounds the rocky shore.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Mohawk Trail
Massachusetts’ Mohawk Trail follows an ancient Native American path that modern travelers have been enjoying since 1914 — making it one of America’s first scenic highways. Route 2 winds 63 miles from Orange to Williamstown, climbing through the Berkshire Hills while offering some of the most dramatic elevation changes in southern New England.
The famous Hairpin Turn provides a heart-stopping moment as the road curves sharply during its descent into the valley below, revealing a vista that’s caused countless drivers to pull over in amazement. Small towns like Shelburne Falls, with its famous Bridge of Flowers, dot the route like gems on a string.
Route 100 Vermont
Vermont’s Route 100 runs like the state’s backbone — stretching 200 miles from Massachusetts to Canada and passing through some of the most quintessentially New England landscapes imaginable. The southern section from Wilmington to Warren offers the perfect introduction to Vermont’s charm, with covered bridges appearing around corners like scenes from a postcard.
Rolling hills covered in maple trees create a natural tunnel effect in many sections. Working farms with red barns remind you that this is still very much a living, breathing agricultural community. The road’s gentle curves and moderate elevation changes make it accessible to drivers of all comfort levels.
Scenic Route 1A
New Hampshire’s tiny 18-mile coastline packs more beauty per mile than almost anywhere else in New England — and Route 1A showcases every bit of it. This coastal drive from Seabrook to Portsmouth hugs the Atlantic shoreline, offering glimpses of sandy beaches, salt marshes, and the historic Portsmouth Harbor.
The Wentworth by the Sea appears like a white castle overlooking the water, while Hampton Beach State Park provides the perfect spot for a leisurely walk along the shore. Traffic can get heavy during summer weekends, though the frequent scenic overlooks give you plenty of excuses to pull over and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Connecticut River Byway
The Connecticut River Byway follows America’s longest river through four states, yet the Vermont section from Brattleboro to St. Johnsbury offers some of the most serene driving in all of New England. Route 5 hugs the river’s western bank — providing constant water views while passing through historic towns that seem frozen in a more peaceful time.
Covered bridges span tributaries like wooden rainbows. The river itself reflects the changing sky like a moving mirror. The relatively flat terrain makes this an easy, relaxing drive that’s perfect for those who prefer gentle scenery over dramatic mountain passes.
Mount Washington Auto Road
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Auto Road isn’t for the faint of heart, yet the brave souls who tackle this 7.6-mile climb are rewarded with views that stretch across three states on clear days. The private toll road has been carrying visitors to the Northeast’s highest peak since 1861 — though modern safety improvements make it far less terrifying than early accounts suggest.
The road’s average grade of 12 percent means your ears will pop as you ascend, while guardrails become increasingly scarce near the summit. A reminder that you’re driving on the edge of the wilderness. Weather can change dramatically during the ascent, so don’t be surprised if you start in sunshine and arrive at the summit in clouds.
Lake Champlain Byway
Vermont’s Lake Champlain Byway stretches along the state’s western border — offering 184 miles of lakeside driving that feels more like cruising along an inland sea. The route from Alburgh to Shoreham passes through agricultural valleys where Holstein cows graze in fields that slope gently toward the water’s edge.
The Adirondack Mountains of New York rise dramatically across the lake, creating a natural amphitheater that frames every view. Ferry crossings at various points allow you to island-hop or simply enjoy being on the water. Historic sites like Fort Ticonderoga remind you of the region’s strategic importance during the Revolutionary War.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
White Mountain Trail
New Hampshire’s White Mountain Trail connects multiple scenic routes into one comprehensive mountain experience — covering 100 miles of the state’s most dramatic terrain. The trail links Routes 2, 16, and 302 through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, and Pinkham Notch, each offering its own personality and attractions.
Franconia Notch State Park features the famous Flume Gorge, while Crawford Notch provides access to the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The elevation changes are significant.
You’ll climb from valley floors to mountain passes repeatedly, though the payoff includes some of the most photographed landscapes in New England.
Green Mountain Byway
Vermont’s Green Mountain Byway follows Route 100A through the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest — offering a more intimate mountain experience than some of the region’s better-known drives. The 26-mile route from Plymouth to Hancock passes through villages so small they barely qualify as dots on the map, yet each offers its own slice of Vermont character.
The road climbs steadily through dense forests that open occasionally to reveal mountain meadows dotted with wildflowers in summer or snow in winter. This is Vermont at its most authentic.
No tourist traps or commercial development — just the landscape that inspired countless poets and artists.
Cape Cod’s Route 6A
Massachusetts’ Route 6A, known as the Old King’s Highway, meanders along Cape Cod’s north shore like a lazy river, connecting historic towns that’ve been welcoming visitors since the Mayflower days. The 34-mile drive from Bourne to Orleans passes through Sandwich, Barnstable, and Brewster, each offering antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants housed in buildings that predate the Revolutionary War.
Cranberry bogs create geometric patterns in the landscape, while Cape Cod Bay provides a constant blue backdrop through the trees. The road’s gentle curves and moderate pace make it perfect for those who want to savor the journey rather than rush to a destination.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Route 108 Stowe
Vermont’s Route 108 from Stowe to Jeffersonville takes you over one of New England’s most challenging mountain passes, though the effort rewards you with alpine scenery that rivals anything in the Rockies. The road climbs steeply through Smugglers’ Notch, a narrow gap between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Peak where the rock walls seem to press in from both sides.
Large RVs and trailers are prohibited due to the tight curves and steep grades, which tells you everything you need to know about this road’s character. The descent into Jeffersonville provides relief and beautiful views of the Lamoille River valley spread out below.
Litchfield Hills Loop
Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills offer a gentler version of New England’s mountain scenery, with rolling hills covered in hardwood forests and valleys dotted with picture-perfect towns. The loop drive connects Routes 7, 202, and 109 through Litchfield, New Milford, and Washington, passing by pristine lakes and through forests that explode with color each fall.
Litchfield Green, with its historic church and colonial homes, represents small-town New England at its most refined. The Housatonic River adds a water element to many sections, while covered bridges and stone walls remind you of the area’s agricultural heritage.
Mount Greylock Scenic Byway
Massachusetts’ highest peak provides the centerpiece for this 9-mile scenic drive that climbs from North Adams to the 3,489-foot summit of Mount Greylock. The road winds through a northern hardwood forest that transitions to a spruce-fir forest as you gain elevation, creating distinct ecological zones that change the character of the drive.
From the summit, views extend across five states on clear days, while the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower provides a dramatic focal point. The descent offers equally spectacular views in the opposite direction, with the Hoosac Valley spreading out below like a green carpet.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Scenic Route 169
Connecticut’s Route 169 from North Woodstock to Canterbury earned National Scenic Byway designation for its outstanding examples of New England’s rural character and historic architecture. The 32-mile drive passes through Brooklyn, Pomfret, and Woodstock, each town showcasing different aspects of Connecticut’s agricultural and industrial heritage.
Stone walls line much of the route, creating boundaries that’ve existed since colonial times, while 18th and 19th-century homes sit comfortably in landscapes their builders knew intimately. Working farms still operate along the route, providing a living connection to the region’s past while creating the pastoral scenes that make this drive so memorable.
Roads That Connect Generations
These scenic drives represent more than just pretty routes through the countryside. They’re ribbons that connect us to the generations who walked these paths before roads existed, who built the stone walls we still see today, and who created the towns that continue to welcome travelers.
The Native American trails, colonial highways, and modern scenic byways all follow the same principle: they take you through the landscape in ways that reveal its essential character. Today’s travelers benefit from improved roads and safety features, though the fundamental experience remains unchanged.
The thrill of discovery around each bend, the peace that comes from being surrounded by natural beauty, and the satisfaction of taking time to truly see the world around us.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Things You Actually Get in First Class
- 20 Small Airports With Aviation Museums
- 20 Places in the U.S. That Are Perfect for a Reset Trip
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.