Vermont Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Whenever you start to feel a little stir-crazy here in Vermont, it’s time to hit the road! Many of us have resolved to do, see, and experience more of our own backyards, and what better way to do that than by taking some of the best road trips in Vermont? If you have yet to visit Vermont, the Green Mountain State has so many places to explore, so we’ve gathered up some of our favorite Vermont road trip ideas each with its very own Vermont road trip map. So, gas up the tank and get on your way!

1-Day Road Trip In Vermont

Doug Kerr/Flickr

• Route: Middlebury > Poultney
• Distance: 36 miles
• Trip Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour of driving time

If you are looking for quick road trips in Vermont, this short drive is packed with little stops that make the trip memorable. You'll start in Middlebury and hit the small towns of Cornwall, Whiting, Hubbardton, and Castleton until you end up in Poultney less than an hour total drive time. However, with so many fun small towns to explore, little shops to discover, and scenic views along the way, you can spend as much time as you like. For example, the Taconic Ramble State Park in Hubbardton has a beautiful Japanese Garden that you can spend hours enjoying. You could even tour the Green Mountain College campus in Poultney before hitting up Tot's Diner for a delicious meal.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Vermont

The Elm Street Market Bennington/Facebook

• Route: Brattleboro > Bennington > Manchester > Strafford > Norwich > Woodstock > Ludlow
• Distance: 299 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

This is one of the best Vermont road trips for foodies. On this weekend road trip adventure through Vermont, you'll be treated to wonderful local restaurants that will delight your tastebuds in numerous ways. Ditch the typical road trip snacks and prepare for a culinary tour through Vermont that you'll be talking about for decades. Along the way be sure to stop off for some of the best hiking trails in Vermont's state parks to work up an appetite for all those delicious meals. This is one of the best weekend road trips in Vermont to take.

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Vermont Covered Bridges Road Trip

James Walsh/Flickr

• Route: Danville > Lyndon > Irasburg > Montgomery > Charlotte > Middlebury > Pittsford > Woodstock > Turnbridge > Northfield > Danville
• Distance: 306 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

With more covered bridges in Vermont than any other state, over 100 in fact, this is the best road trip for fans of these historic bridges. With scenic mountain views, delightful small-town boutiques, Vermont country stores, and dozens of beautiful old bridges to enjoy along the way, this Vermont road trip is certainly one to remember.

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Vermont Lighthouse Road Trip

firesika/Flickr

• Route: Alburgh > Isle La Motte > South Burlington > Burlington > Shelburne
• Distance: 60 miles
• Trip Time: 1.5 hours driving time

Northern Vermont has some very interesting old lighthouses that could tell a story or two. If you love the mystery and adventure that lighthouses hold dear, you'll love this little road trip to see some of Vermont's most well-known lighthouses. It is only about an hour and a half of drive time, but you can take all day to explore and enjoy these wonderful relics of old.

Best Vermont Road Trip For Spring

Leslee_atFlickr/Flickr

• Route: Stockbridge > Waitsfield > Stowe > Hyde Park > Westfield
• Distance: 95 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours driving time

While fall color trips in Vermont get a lot of attention, the springtime is a refreshing awakening of the lush green landscapes you'll find in Vermont. From rolling hills to lush green mountains, and wide open countryside views, it is no wonder this drive along Route 100 has been rated as one of the most scenic drives in New England. This Vermont road trip itinerary is a short one, but it's also a fun vibrant way to welcome spring in Vermont.

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Best Summer Road Trip In Vermont

Elizabeth M Ruggiero/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

• Route: Burlington > Stowe > Ludlow > Bennington
• Distance: 213 miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

What better way to cool off on a summer weekend than a waterfall and cave road trip? Our trek starts off at the Donahue Sea Caves in Burlington. If it is a hot and dry summer you can walk right up to the caves, otherwise, the route takes you through a marsh that may be wet and muddy. After experiencing the caves, we'll head north to Stowe. Both Moss Glen Falls and Bingham Falls Trail have wonderful waterfalls to enjoy and cool off with a misty breeze. The Trapp Family Lodge is also in Stowe if you want to spend the night in a cool alpine lodge before continuing your journey. In the morning drive south to Ludlow for a hike on the Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Okemo State Forest. We'll round out our road trip with a stop at Everett Cave on the Southern Vermont College campus, which has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.

Best Vermont Road Trip For Fall

Nicholas Erwin/Flickr

• Route: Granville > Rochester > Hancock > Andover > Londonderry > Jamaica > Stratton > Dover > Wilmington > Stamford
• Distance: 138 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours driving time

Vermont is known all across the globe as one of the best states for a fall color trip. This tour along the scenic Route 100 Byway takes you through 10 charming small towns in Vermont from the beautiful Moss Glen Falls in Granville to the tip-top of the Killington Mountain Resort in Killington. Along the way, you'll pass by apple orchards, pumpkin patches, delightful country roads, and acres and acres of gorgeous colorful maple trees. Be sure to pause your fall foliage tour to stop at a few places in order to sample some famous Vermont maple syrup.

Best Winter Road Trip In Vermont

Nicholas Erwin/Flickr

• Route: Stowe > Waterbury Village Historic District > Montpelier > Pittsford > Chittenden > Castleton > Manchester > Glastenbury > Brattleboro
• Distance: 249 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours driving time

If your typical winter in Vermont includes a stay at the Stowe Mountain Resort with a few evening craft beers at The Alchemist Brewery, why not change things up with a fun and unique road trip idea - A spooky haunted road trip! Check out and tour some of the most haunted and creepiest places in Vermont from Stowe down to Brattleboro. From haunted bridges to haunted inns and cemeteries, these spooky locations in Vermont will give you the chills.

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Family Friendly Vermont Road Trip

heipei/Flickr

• Route: Burlington > Shelburne > Middlebury > Killington > Woodstock > Montpelier > Waterbury Village > Stowe > Jeffersonville > Burlington
• Distance: 228 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hours driving time

Taking a road trip through Vermont isn't always what kids have in mind when they think fun family vacation. But this epic family adventure will have something for everyone. Unique shops and outdoor music at the Church Street Marketplace. A stop to go mountain biking on the Burlington Bike Path and a swim at Waterfront Park. Walk through a historic boat at the Shelburne Museum. Apple orchards and cider donuts at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Waterfalls, ski resorts, covered bridges, the Sugarbush Farm, Quiche Gorge, Vermont's State Capital, and of course the Ben & Jerry's Factory for ice cream. And that's only a handful of things to see on this Vermont family road trip.

Road Trip to Vermont Landmarks & Natural Wonders

Doug Cadmus/Flickr

• Route: Huntington > Brandon > Mt Holly > Quechee Gorge, > Stowe > Elmore State Park > Westmore > Granville
• Distance: 329 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

Vermont is an incredibly beautiful state. This road trip to see some of the best Vermont landmarks and natural wonders is perfect for those who rejoice at the sound of a rushing waterfall, stand in awe of interesting rock formations, and enjoy the mystery of a deep dark cave. Sure you could visit all of these destinations in one day, but you'll have much more fun if you make it a weekend getaway so you can spend time hiking around Camels' Hump and the Balancing Rock, go swimming at Lake Dunmore and Lake Ninevah, or go kayaking on Lake Willoughby in Westmore. And of course, not taking time to explore the caves at Smuggler's Notch would be sacrilegious for outdoor adventurers like yourself. You also don't want to miss Vermont's little Grand Canyon - Quechee Gorge.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Vermont

Craig T./Flickr

• Route: Charlotte > Stowe > Cabot > Woodstock > Chester > Grafton > Putney > Manchester
• Distance: 258 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours driving time

The Green Mountain State is filled with charming small towns so it is pretty tough to pick only a few to explore on this small-town road trip through Vermont. Let's start out near Burlington in the delightful town of Charlotte known for its lovely wineries, orchards, and berry farms. Stowe is a well-known ski vacation location at the base of Mount Mansfield. Cabot takes us to the outskirts of the White Mountain National Forest and beautiful scenic views. While everyone knows about Woodstock, New York, the Vermont version is a quiet historical town that played an important role in farming history. Visit Billings Farm for interesting interactive exhibits and family-friendly events. As we dip down into southern Vermont for Chester, Grafton, Putney, and Manchester, we find that each of the small towns on this trip has its own unique sights to see and experiences to have.This is one of the best road trips to take in Vermont.

We hope you’ve been inspired to go on an adventure to explore the many wonderful places in the state on one of the best road trips in Vermont. Which of these Vermont road trip ideas are you looking forward to the most? While you are out on your driving tour, look for some of these delightfully delicious Vermont restaurants along the way.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.