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Are you planning a road trip around Vermont? You’ve come to the perfect place!
Vermont is one of my favorite states in the US! There are so many things to do and it’s beautiful all year round (though for very different reasons).
Between the green mountains, covered bridges, waterfalls, small towns and delicious food, you’re in for a treat!
This loop starts and ends in Burlington, so it’s ideal if you’re flying in, since that’s where the main airport is but you can adapt it to start somewhere else depending on where you’re coming from.
It takes you down through southern Vermont and back up the famous Route 100, hitting all the highlights!
You’ll find below my itinerary for this Vermont road trip as well as a map so you can visualise it better.
🚗 Good to know: A car is essential for this trip and I’d allow around 4 to 7 days to do it without rushing.
Much of the loop follows Route 100, which is spectacular in the fall.
If you don’t have a car, I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best deals on rentals.
🌆 1. Burlington
Burlington is the biggest city in Vermont (though not the capital, that’s Montpelier) and that’s where you’ll start your trip.
First, head down to the Waterfront Park on the shores of Lake Champlain. There’s a short boardwalk where you can have a wander, and the views across the lake to the Adirondacks are beautiful.
If you’re traveling with kids (or just love a good museum), ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is right there on the waterfront. It’s a fun, interactive science and nature center, and it even has a model of Champ, the lake’s legendary monster.
From there, head up to Church Street in downtown Burlington.
It’s the pedestrian street you’ll have seen in all the photos, lined with shops, coffee shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to browse and grab lunch, and there’s often a street performer or two.
The church at the top of the street is beautiful and makes for a perfect photo, framed between the buildings.
Burlington also has an excellent food and craft beer scene, so it’s a good spot to have food before setting off.
🧀 2. Shelburne
🚗 Driving time: 15 min (7 mi)
Once you’re done in Burlington, head south to Shelburne.
There are loads of things to do here so you’ll need between half a day and a day to do everything.
The highlight is Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre working farm right on Lake Champlain. You can walk the trails, meet the animals, and eat some of their famous cheddar.
In Shelburne itself, you’ll find the Shelburne Museum which has everything from folk art and quilts to a whole 220-foot steamboat sitting on dry land and a covered bridge.
Finally, stop for a tasting at the Shelburne Vineyard, or grab a pint at Fiddlehead Brewing next door (which sits beside Folino’s wood-fired pizza, so you can eat too).
And if you’re traveling with little ones, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory here runs fun tours showing how the bears are made. It’s also a good place to buy the famous Vermont mittens.
🐴 3. Middlebury
🚗 Driving time: 35 min (30 mi)
Continue south to Middlebury, a lovely college town built around the prestigious Middlebury College.
Park downtown and start walking along Main Street to Otter Creek Falls, it drops right through the middle of downtown past the old mill buildings.
Take some time to wander around as there are loads of independent shops and cafes, so it’s a great place to stop for lunch.
I loved the antique and book shops there! There are loads of good finds!
If you love art, the Middlebury College campus is beautiful and the Middlebury College Museum of Art is free to visit.
Also, if you love horses you should consider stopping at UVM Morgan Horse Farm which is nearby.
🛍️ 4. Manchester
🚗 Driving time: 1.5 hours (65 miles)
Continue south to Manchester, another lovely Vermont town and an excellent stop for some shopping.
Start in Manchester Center and wander the Main Street. You’ll find the Northshire Bookstore here, one of the best independent bookshops in New England.
There are also a good number of designer outlets just outside of Manchester if that’s something you’re interested in.
The main attraction here is Hildene, the summer home built by Abraham Lincoln’s son.
You can go on a tour of the mansion and gardens but there are also 12 miles of walking trails and a working farm with goats and sheep, so give yourself time here.
If you like fishing, the American Museum of Fly Fishing is worth a look, and for a great view, drive up the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive.
🚗 5. Onto Route 100
🚗 Driving time: 20 minutes (17 miles)
From Manchester, head towards Londonderry and join the famous Route 100 and start heading north through the heart of the Green Mountains.
This is the road everyone comes to see as it’s sensational in the fall (but it’s also a great pick at other times of the year so don’t worry).
I’ll add below some of the best stops on Vermont Route 100 but remember that a road trip is also something we just improvise so just stop wherever you feel like it and you’ll always find a nice surprise!
⛷️ 6. Ludlow
🚗 Driving time: 20 minutes (16 miles)
The first town you should stop on Route 100 is Ludlow (near Okemo Mountain Resort).
It’s a mix of mountain resort and small downtown, with independent shops and places to eat, so it’s a nice spot to stretch your legs and grab a coffee.
On a warm day, make sure to head just outside town to Buttermilk Falls. It’s a lovely cascade with a swimming hole, so it’s the perfect place to cool off.
📸 7. Woodstock
🚗 Driving time: 40 minutes (26 miles)
You’ll be leaving Route 100 for a bit now and going to Woodstock. I know it’s a bit of a detour but that’s one of the prettiest towns in Vermont and you really shouldn’t miss it.
Park near the green and walk over to the Middle Covered Bridge.
Then head to Central Street to browse the independent shops and boutiques, and grab a maple creemee while you’re there.
If you feel a bit hungry, Mon Vert Cafe is an excellent option.
Just outside the center, the Billings Farm & Museum is a working dairy farm and museum that’s well worth a visit if you have time.
🏞️ 8. Quechee Gorge
🚗 Driving time: 15 minutes (8 miles)
Next, head to Quechee Gorge.
It’s the deepest gorge in Vermont at around 165 feet, which is why it’s nicknamed “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.”
There are two ways to enjoy it. The first one (and quickest) is to admire it from the bridge on Route 4, where you can look right down into the gorge.
If you have more time and are into hiking, there’s a trail down to the Ottauquechee River at the bottom.
Whichever way, you can park by the visitor center and reach both the trail and the bridge from there.
While you’re here, make sure to stop at the Simon Pearce mill. You can watch the glassblowers at work, shop for their pieces, and have lunch in the restaurant that sits right over the river and a covered bridge. It’s a lovely spot.
🚗 9. Back to Route 100
🚗 Driving time: 40 minutes (35 miles) via Stockbridge
Head back to Route 100 and keep driving North.
This central stretch of the drive is one of the most scenic in Vermont, so take it slow and enjoy the ride (and keep an eye out for creemee, apple cider donut and farm stands along the way).
💧 10. Moss Glen Falls, Granville
🚗 Driving time: 25 minutes (20 miles)
Keep driving north on Route 100, once you pass Granville you’ll get to Moss Glen Falls.
It’s one of the best waterfalls in Vermont and it’s very easy to access as you can practically see it from the car, and it’s only a short walk from the road, so it’s a quick, easy stop and a lovely surprise on the drive.
🌉 11. Waitsfield
🚗 Driving time: 25 minutes (20 miles)
Continue to Waitsfield, in the heart of the Mad River Valley.
It’s home to the oldest operating covered bridge in Vermont (Historic Waitsfield Covered Bridge), as well as some independent shops, galleries and farm stands to browse.
Make sure to grab a creemee from the Canteen Creemee Company, a local favorite, before you carry on north.
🏛️ 12. Montpelier
🚗 Driving time: 35 minutes (20 miles)
Next, stop in Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the US (and the only one without a McDonald’s).
Downtown Montpelier is very nice. There are loads of vintage shops, bars and restaurants. There are also several churches (including one with hearts on it, so cute!) and bridges.
It’s a great place to wander and enjoy some relaxing small town time.
Make sure to go to the State House. No visit to a state capital would be complete without it! The gold dome is absolutely stunning.
They also have free guided tours if you’re interested in learning more.
If you fancy a walk, hike up through Hubbard Park to the stone observation tower for lovely views over the city and the mountains.
There are also quite a few historic inns here which is of course a must stay while in New England.
I personally stayed at The Inn At Montpelier and it was one of my favorites!
🍦 13. Waterbury
🚗 Driving time: 15 minutes (15 miles)
Then head to Waterbury, back on Route 100. It’s one of my favorite food stops on the whole trip.
You’ll drive through the town. Stop on the main street and have a walk around if you want, it’s small but there are a few places worth checking out.
As you keep driving on Route 100, after a few minutes you’ll get to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory which is one of the most visited places in Vermont.
The tour is only around $6 and it’s well worth it: you’ll see how the ice cream is made, get some frozen cookie dough, and taste the flavor of the day.
Also, make sure to walk to the Flavor Graveyard, just outside the playground. It’s quite a quirky place as you’ll find headstones with all the retired flavors.
Once you’re done, keep driving towards Stowe and you’ll find Cold Hollow Cider Mill on the side of the road.
It’s famous for its apple cider donuts. There is a little bakery part in the store where you can get warm donuts with hot mulled cider in the fall.
You can also watch the cider being pressed, and try a taste at the tasting tank in the back.
⛪ 14. Stowe
🚗 Driving time: 15 minutes (10 miles)
The next stop will be the beautiful small town of Stowe.
While it’s not a big town in itself, there is a lot to do here so make sure to plan for a couple of days in the area.
Start in downtown Stowe where you can walk along Main Street.
Here you’ll find the ‘Welcome to Stowe’ mural, the ski museum, the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge, the visitor center, coffee shops, old-fashioned stores like Shaw’s General Store and Stowe Mercantile and the famous white church.
Next head to the viewpoint to see the white Stowe Community Church against the mountains, and if you have time, hire a bike and ride the Stowe Recreation Path.
Just outside the town, visit the von Trapp Family Lodge, the estate run by the Sound of Music family. It really does look like a slice of Austria. Say hi to the highland cows by the café and stop at the von Trapp Bierhall for an Austrian-style lager.
If you’re visiting between mid-June and mid-October, drive up to Stowe Mountain Resort and take the SkyGondola up Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, for the views from the top.
Finish with the drive through Smugglers’ Notch (Route 108), a narrow mountain pass squeezed between huge boulders and cliffs. It’s one of the best drives in New England, especially in the fall (just note it closes in winter).
Once you’re done in Stowe, you can drive back to Burlington.
⛵ Optional detour: The Champlain Islands
If you have a bit of extra time, I’d really recommend adding the Champlain Islands, just north of Burlington.
You can visit the state parks (Grand Isle State Park and Knight Point State Park), do a wine tasting at Snow Farm Vineyard, or pick apples and grab cider donuts at Hackett’s Orchard or Allenholm Farm.
🗺️ Map of this Vermont Road Trip
💡 A few practical tips
- A car is essential, and I’d allow 4 to 7 days to enjoy the loop without rushing.
- Route 100 is particularly spectacular in the fall foliage.
- Always check that seasonal activities and roads are open.
- Book your accommodation ahead in peak season, especially in the fall.
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