Vermont Route 100
Free
Road TripSkiing
Overview
Vermont Route 100 (VT 100) is a north–south state highway in Vermont in the United States. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is 216.666 miles (349 km) long. VT 100 is the state's longest numbered highway of any type.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration4-8 hours
Best TimeWidely celebrated as New England's premier scenic driving ribbon, this legendary 216-mile route highway peaks layout-by-layout from mid-September to mid-October. Cruise the winding mountain asphalt between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM on a clear autumn morning; early natural daylight ignites the endless valleys, historic dairy barns, and blazing red maple canopies in pure gold.
Getting ThereThis route refers to the historic spine of State Highway 100 traversing the geographic heart of Vermont. A car is completely essential: the highway ribbons through high-alpine passes and valleys, featuring dozens of clearly marked, asphalt-paved roadside scenic scenic overlooks designed for instant, safe pull-offs right outside historic covered bridges.
Travel Tips
- Route 100 is a winding single-lane highway prone to severe gridlock during fall foliage peak, especially between Stowe and Waterbury. Drive this scenic bypass Monday through Thursday before 7 AM to avoid debilitating weekend traffic.
- The highway intersects numerous historic village centers where speed limits instantly drop from 50 mph to 25 mph. Local police hide heavily near these transition zones; apply brakes immediately upon spotting the reduced speed signs.
- Cellular blackouts are frequent across remote mountain passes. Do not rely on active streaming GPS; pre-download the complete Vermont offline map. Most rural gas stations close firmly by 8 PM, so refuel whenever your tank drops to one-third.
Reviews
Positive
- Praised as one of New England's most beautiful scenic byways, it connects countless classic towns, farms, and waterfalls, offering an elite road-trip experience.
- Traffic guidance along the route is very clear; road signs and scenic pull-offs are frequent, making it easy for tourists to pull over and photograph.
- This route requires almost no admission fees, offering a fully immersive free sightseeing experience, with great fun visiting local maple syrup sugarhouses along the way.
- The towns along the way preserve an authentic, rustic Vermont vibe while maintaining solid hospitality, balancing convenience and rural charm beautifully.
Heads up
- During the autumn foliage peak, tourist density hits its maximum, causing localized bottlenecks on some single-lane stretches, requiring immense driving patience.
- Certain sections suffer from a lack of timely repair due to harsh winters and spring thaws, resulting in noticeable potholes that low-clearance cars must navigate carefully.
- Along long highway stretches outside of town centers, public restrooms are hard to find, forcing reliance on roadside gas stations or convenience stores.
- Popular eateries and artisan gift shops along the highway are generally pricy, with secondary spending reflecting clear 'tourist markups'.