Cruising Vermont: New England’s Scenic Route 30

Read on to get some inspiration for your next New England adventure and start planning your Vermont road trip with Hertz today.

Getting Started

Brattleboro, located two and a half hours from Boston and four hours from New York City, is the southern terminus of Route 30 and a gateway to southern Vermont. It's also convenient to fly in from the airports in Albany, NY and Hartford, CT. 

Once you’ve landed, you can pick up a rental car and follow Route 30 northwest through picturesque towns and past hillside farms with incredible views of Green Mountain National Forest.

With festivals and special events in the summer, colorful foliage in the fall and skiing in the winter, the region welcomes visitors year-round. So, there’s never a wrong time to visit.

Source: Shutterstock

Brattleboro to Manchester

Brattleboro features eclectic appeal with an abundance of artisanal crafts, foods and farmers’ markets in its thriving downtown.

Get a taste of farm-to-table culture by attending the annual Strolling of the Heifers parade through the city center, typically in June. The cow parade is followed by a street festival with artisanal foods for sale from local farms. Shop for books and antiques downtown or take home gorgeous pottery and glass art at Fulcrum Arts gallery.

Back on the road, don't miss the famous West Dummerston Covered Bridge, believed to be the longest operating bridge of its type in the state. If you’re passing by at the weekend, make sure to stop in Newfane to browse local vendors and sellers at the oldest running flea market in Vermont. The market is open every Sunday throughout their open season, which runs until the end of October. Shop vintage goods, handmade crafts and fresh food vendors provided by the Newfane community.

If you have time to stay the night, spend it at the romantic Four Columns Inn or charming Willow Vermont guesthouse in South Newfane. The latter even offers a fully furnished, rustic treehouse available for private rental.

Source: Shutterstock

Newfane to Manchester

Follow Route 30 through Townshend, past the rolling green hills and on towards Jamaica, Vermont. From there, have a picnic lunch at Jamaica State Park and enjoy a walk along the West River.

If you prefer the reward of a proper meal after exploring the great outdoors, pick up a quick bite at Honeypie, a quirky restaurant which used to be an old gas station. Choose from juicy burgers, homemade chicken soup, grilled sandwiches or a slice of their namesake dessert – a honey-flavored custard pie.

Once you’re satisfied, make your way to Stratton Mountain Resort. The resort offers lifts to the trails year-round as well as summer concerts, sports activities and special events.

Then it’s straight on to Manchester, where you can visit the Hildene estate and museum, the former home of President Abraham Lincoln's son and family for many decades. Take a guided tour of the Lincoln home and grounds or schedule an archives tour to explore spaces typically private from the public. Browse family artefacts that are not currently on display and discover the Exhibit Prep Room, where precious items are assessed before going on display.

Manchester is also known for sophisticated lodging options, including The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa and the boutique Taconic Hotel. Top the day off with dinner at the highly rated Copper Grouse Restaurant.

Manchester to Middlebury

The 30-mile section of Route 30 north of Manchester is Stone Valley Byway, an area of notable scenic beauty surrounded by mountains and lakes. Lake St. Catherine State Park and Bomoseen State Park provide recreational opportunities, or you can visit historic sites and museums, craft and food markets and various cultural events in the area.

Pick up your favorite cheeses in West Pawlet at Bardwell Farm, an award-winning cheesemaker, and enjoy fine dining and lodging at the charming Dorset Inn in Dorset.

Finish your journey down Route 30 in Middlebury, where you’ll find the Middlebury College Museum of Art and Vermont Folklife Center, which honors the diverse cultures that make up Vermont's communities.

If you have a few miles left in you, visit the Robert Frost Interpretative Trail in nearby Ripton. Read the poet's immortal words on mounted plaques while strolling a lovely trail that meanders through woods, meadows and wetlands.

The stops along Vermont's Route 30 offer everything from historical nostalgia to luxurious pampering. Share the highlights of your journey with us on Twitter.