Are you tired of city life and need an escape? Here are ten of the best road trips from the Big Apple!
New York is one of the world’s great cities and a unique place to visit. It’s also well-located for exploring North East America and beyond. So when you’re tired of the crowds, traffic and noise of New York City, then it’s time to hit the road for a big American road trip around some of the most beautiful landscapes North East America has to offer.
With affordable car rental and accessible pick-up points at JFK Airport and across the city, Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to start your adventure.
Here are ten of the best road trips from NYC to spark your imagination!
Berkshires, MA
The Berkshires is New England at its picturesque best. A highland region bridging western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. It’s a region of serene mountain views, lush forests, and clear blue lakes. Travellers from New York visit the region to enjoy outdoor activities, a great farm-to-table food scene, and a wide range of cultural attractions.
There’s the Tanglewood Music Center, where the Boston Symphony Orchestra performs amid the enchanting backdrop of the Berkshire Hills. Art lovers can explore the Norman Rockwell Museum, which houses the largest collection of works by renowned American artists. Towns like Lenox and Stockbridge, have long been fashionable to visit, combining colonial-era architecture with a vibrant cultural scene. In Lenox, you can find the former home of the novelist, Edith Wharton who designed the house and gardens.
With its combination of charming old towns, rich cultural life and beautiful landscapes, the Berkshires are an idyllic destination and one of the best road trips from NYC.
- Total Driving Distance: 170 Miles (275km)
- Driving Time: 3 to 4 Hours
The Finger Lakes, NY
In upstate New York, you’ll find a picturesque region of deep glacial lakes and rolling hills. The region is named after its long, narrow lakes that resemble fingers, including the famous Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, and Skaneateles Lake. The Fingers Lakes National Forest and Watkins Glen State Park, known for their dramatic gorge and water-carved cliffs, provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
The climate in the region is ideal for grape growing and attracts visitors to tour its vineyard and wineries where world-class Rieslings are made. Surrounding the lakes you’ll find charming, historic towns like Ithaca, Geneva, and Skaneateles, where you can find places to stay, eat, drink and shop.
With its relative proximity to the Big Apple, the Fingers Lakes region is a popular getaway destination for jaded New Yorkers.
- Total Driving Distance: 300 Miles (480km)
- Driving Time: 6 Hours
Newport, RI
A trip to beautiful Newport, Rhode Island is always highly featured on any list of the best road trips from NYC. Situated along Rhode Island’s scenic coastline, Newport is a historic city with classic American maritime charm. Leaving New York City, road trippers can opt for Interstate 95, and follow the picturesque coastline along Long Island Sound, before crossing into Rhode Island, or take a more scenic route through coastal Connecticut.
Once in Newport, you can’t help but notice the mansions of the rich and famous, built during the Gilded Age when the city was at its fashionable height. Opulent estates such as The Breakers and Marble House, give you a glimpse of the extravagant lifestyles of America’s elite during the late 19th century. Along the city’s cobbled waterfront, you’ll find boutique shops, seafood restaurants and great cafes to sit and people-watch. This is a sailor’s paradise and also hosts the world-famous Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festivals. The Cliff Walk is a scenic stroll along the shoreline offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic.
- Total Driving Distance: 170 Miles (275km)
- Driving Time: 3 to 4 Hours
The Adirondacks, NY
The Adirondack Mountains, located in upstate New York, are a wilderness lovers paradise. Combine rugged peaks and pristine lakes, this six-million-acre park is crisscrossed by over 2,000 miles of hiking trails. From the challenging climbs up the High Peaks to the relaxed paths around the serene, mirror-like lakes, this road trip is a chance to reset.
Lake Placid in the heart of the Adirondacks offers a range of outdoor activities, from boating to fishing and hiking. Famously, it once hosted the Winter Olympics, and it’s a popular winter sports destination in season. The Adirondack Park is a paradise for wildlife watching, with opportunities to spot moose, bald eagles, and other native species. Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or would prefer quiet relaxation by the lakes, the Adirondacks is one of the best road trips from NYC.
- Total Driving Distance: 300 Miles (480km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 Hours
The Shawangunk Mountains, NY
The Shawangunk Mountains, often referred to as the Gunks, extend for around 50 miles in southeastern New York state. This range of rugged mountains attracts road trippers from New York looking for outdoor activities and time away in tranquil surroundings. The range is particularly popular with rock climbers, with people travelling from across North America and beyond to try their hand at almost sheer cliff faces, like the Trapps and Near Trapps.
Within the Shawangunks you’ll find The Mohonk Preserve. With its well-maintained trails, through dense forests, around unique rock formations and with breathtaking views, this is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Charming towns like New Paltz reflect the Dutch heritage of the region.
- Total Driving Distance: 90 Miles (145km)
- Driving Time: 1.5 to 2.5 Hours
Montauk, NY
Montauk is a picturesque village located at the very easternmost tip of Long Island. Located in New York State, it feels like another world compared to the city. This is a captivating seaside retreat where the good life matters. With its pristine beaches, coastal charm, and laid-back atmosphere, this idyllic end of the line in the Hamptons is a place to escape to.
Montauk attracts New Yorkers for its unspoiled beauty. The popular Ditch Plains beach is popular with surfers and families alike. In Montauk Point State Park you’ll find Montauk Point Lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard not to fall in love with this slice of New England coastal perfection, and with so many places to eat, drink and stay, it can be a difficult place to leave.
- Total Driving Distance: 120 Miles (193km)
- Driving Time: 2.5 to 3 Hours
Shenandoah Valley, VA
This classic journey is one of the best road trips from NYC in the summertime and is a favourite with New Yorkers and visitors alike. Settled between the Alleghenies and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley is a green, rolling landscape dotted with woods and lush vineyards. Taking the scenic route through Maryland and Virginia, this drive takes you to the heart of this verdant landscape.
The Shenandoah National Park is home to the Skyline Drive that winds through mountains, providing breathtaking views of the valley below. Get out of the car and hit the trail to explore waterfalls, forests and panoramic viewpoints. There are campsites in the park, allowing you to enjoy the vast night sky. Charming towns like Winchester and Staunton are great to stroll through. This area was the site of numerous battles during the Civil War and American history buffs will love the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum.
- Total Driving Distance: 350 Miles (560km)
- Driving Time: 5 to 6 Hours
Cooperstown, NY
If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten track, then head for Cooperstown in central New York State. The route takes you through the beautiful Hudson Valley and rolling hills of central New York, to Otsego Lake, on whose banks you’ll find your destination. This picture-perfect town is New England tranquillity personified and is increasingly popular for weekend getaways from New York.
Most famous for being the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, there’s also boating to be enjoyed on the lake, hikes in the surrounding countryside, and great local produce at Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard. Cooperstown is also home to the Fenimore Art Museum, home to one of the largest collections of American art in the world. Tree-lined streets, independent shops and historic architecture make a visit to Cooperstown an enriching experience. Visit in the autumn to enjoy the incredible fall foliage.
- Total Driving Distance: 230 Miles (370km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Killington, VT
New Yorkers with a passion for winter sports will more often than not head for the Green Mountains and the resort town of Killington, Vermont. This year-round destination boasts a world-class ski resort and the largest ski area on the East Coast. Enthusiasts flock here for the powdery slopes, diverse terrain, and a vibrant après-ski scene as the town turns into a busy winter wonderland.
However, there’s more to Killington than snow. During the warmer months, hiking and mountain bike trails are great to explore. There are world-class golf courses and water activities on nearby lakes. A gondola ride takes you to the top of Killington Peak, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the mountains. The town itself is classic Vermont, with charming shops and restaurants, as well as a host of places to stay. Take a road trip to Killington for adventure and relaxation in the heart of Vermont.
- Total Driving Distance:270 Miles (435km)
- Driving Time: 5 Miles
Virginia’s Eastern Shore, VA
Increasingly finding its way into lists of the best road trips from NYC is Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This hidden gem, located between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is a true retreat from the modern world, made up of small coastal communities and beautiful waterways. This is old-time America where traditional ways of doing things continue.
Tangier Island, situated in the Chesapeake Bay, has a picturesque harbour, a crab fishing industry and a unique dialect descended from Cornish settlers in the 18th century. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island is home to diverse habitats and wildlife, including free-roaming wild ponies. Waterfront towns like Cape Charles and Onancock are filled with colonial-era architecture, and historic streets that are great to explore. Explore the waterways by kayak, or enjoy some pampering at a boutique hotel. This unique region of the US is a fascinating destination on a road trip from NYC.
- Total Driving Distance: 350 Miles (560km)
- Driving Time: 6 Hours
Is It Time For Your Next Adventure?
New York City’s location makes it a great place from which to start a road trip. Whether you’re exploring the North East of the USA or venturing further afield, there’s a vast array of potential destinations to choose from.
Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to find the right car for your journey. With vehicles for every budget and accessible pick-up locations, your road trip from NYC is just a few clicks away.
