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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

Roll The Windows Down And Take A Drive Down Route 7 In Southern Vermont

Explore six attractions along Route 7 in southern Vermont for a scenic summer road trip.

Published Jun 10, 2020

Written by 

Luke

What better way to spend a Vermont summer day than riding through beautiful landscapes and taking in the fresh Green Mountain air? Grab the gang together or your family, or simply go for a solo-ride along Route 7 in southern Vermont. We have compiled a few great attractions and spots to explore that are right off Vermont Rt. 7. Let's dive in and take a look at this short and beautiful summer drive in Vermont.

This mini road trip stretches from Bennington to Rutland, exploring six attractions that are either on Rt. 7 or right off the highway.

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googlemaps

1. Lake Shaftsbury State Park

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M. Panek/googlemaps

Begin your journey by stopping at Lake Shaftsbury. This little gem of a state park has been dazzling visitors since 1974 after transitioning from a private campsite to a lovely little state park.

2. Chiselville Covered Bridge

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MAD.P/googlemaps

Next, take a small detour off Rt. 7 to slowly cruise through the Chiselville Covered Bridge, a charming and small red covered bridge in the quaint town of Sunderland. The bridge is only about five minutes from Rt. 7. If you are heading north, take exit 3 towards Sunderland.

3. Mount Equinox Skyline Drive

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Mr. World/googlemaps

Once getting back on Rt. 7, head to Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking views of Vermont that you can see from inside your car.

4. Lye Brook Falls Trailhead

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Jocelyn DeMaio/googlemaps

After being in the car for a while, make a stop at the Lye Brook Falls Trailhead and embark on a 4.7 mile hike to the gorgeous falls.

5. Emerald Lake State Park

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Cathy Dillman/googlemaps

The small Emerald Lake is directly adjacent to Route 7, making it a perfect little stop for this mini road trip. Cool off in crisp, fresh, and deep blue water at the Emerald Lake State Park.

6. Brown Covered Bridge

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Nihal Velpanur/googlemaps

After having cooled off at Emerald Lake State Park, continue going north until a few miles before Rutland. Once you've reached the town of Clarendon, take a right on N. Shrewsbury Rd. A few miles away, you'll find the historic Brown Covered Bridge, one of Vermont's many darling covered bridges.

What are your favorite Vermont roads to take in the summertime? Let us know and leave a comment below.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

Vermont Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Explore the best road trips in Vermont with detailed maps and recommendations for every season.

Updated Jun 24, 2024

Written by 

Chris Muras

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!

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1-Day Road Trip In Vermont

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

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Vermont

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The Elm Street Market Bennington/Facebook
  • Route: Brattleboro > Bennington > Manchester > Strafford > Norwich > Woodstock > Ludlow
  • Distance: 299 miles
  • Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

Vermont Covered Bridges Road Trip

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James Walsh/Flickr
  • Route: Danville > Lyndon > Irasburg > Montgomery > Charlotte > Middlebury > Pittsford > Woodstock > Turnbridge > Northfield > Danville
  • Distance: 306 miles
  • Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
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Vermont Lighthouse Road Trip

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

Best Vermont Road Trip For Spring

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Leslee_atFlickr/Flickr
  • Route: Stockbridge > Waitsfield > Stowe > Hyde Park > Westfield
  • Distance: 95 miles
  • Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
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Best Summer Road Trip In Vermont

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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

Best Vermont Road Trip For Fall

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

Best Winter Road Trip In Vermont

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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
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Family Friendly Vermont Road Trip

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

Road Trip to Vermont Landmarks & Natural Wonders

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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
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Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Vermont

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

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.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

The Spontaneous Road Trip Through Vermont That Is The Perfect Weekend Of Adventure

Published Jun 18, 2024

Written by 

Marla S.

Over the years, I've had plenty of travel experiences. While some of these adventures were planned, many memorable travels - like stumbling into a local cafe or wandering down a quaint street - were more spontaneous. I put together the following weekend road trip, which includes four Vermont towns that begin with a "B," so you too can "go with the flow" and have a fun-filled outing that's more flexible than a tight itinerary. Read on and enjoy!

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As you can see from this guided map, this fun-filled weekend adventure goes from Southern to Northern Vermont and includes about five hours of driving time.

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Google Maps

Creamery Covered Bridge

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Google/Juergen Roth

There are over 100 covered bridges in Vermont. While you're likely to pass some during this spontaneous weekend adventure, we suggest beginning this road trip at The Creamery Covered Bridge in Brattleboro. This historical landmark was built in 1879 and is the last remaining of its kind in Brattleboro.

The Blue Benn Diner

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https://www.bluebenn.com/photos/

The Blue Benn Diner is beloved by both locals and travelers. This family-run diner has been serving up some of the best grub around for decades. If you've ever wanted to dine in a rail car, stop by for a hearty meal during your spontaneous weekend in Vermont.

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Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

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Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

When you'd like to explore and spend time in nature, plan a visit to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. We suggest planning at least a half day to hike, check out wildlife, and take part in scheduled events when visiting this destination in Woodstock.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

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Facebook/Rock of Ages

Barre is an ideal place to visit during a spontaneous weekend road trip in Vermont. Along with the infamous Hope Cemetery, the quarry is an impressive site that's due to the stunning blue water and dramatic shape.

Spot on the Dock

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Google/Charles Chamberlain

One of the many perks of taking a spontaneous road trip in Vermont is not having to stick to a schedule. So, after wandering around Burlington for a bit, we suggest heading to Spot on the Dock. Here, you'll get to linger over a scrumptious meal while overlooking Lake Champlain.

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The Causeway

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Google/Serena Chang

The Causeway is a true gem. Feel free to hike or bike when you check out this stunning trail along Lake Champlain. And since this route spans over 13 miles, feel free to explore as much or as little as you'd like.

Now that you know about these spontaneous destinations in Vermont, what are you waiting for? To get started on planning your outing, check out our ultimate road trip packing list. When you'd like to set out on another adventure, I suggest checking out these Vermont road trips too.

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