If you want to escape the metropolitan areas and get some fresh air, these New Jersey road trips are the ideal place to start. With over 130 miles of stunning Atlantic coastline there are some wonderful driving options in the state.
You will be able to drive to vantage points where you can see New York city, explore large national parks or just meander down to quiet beaches. In short, there is a little bit of something for everybody. You could base yourself in the city and tackle these as day trips or even better make a long weekend out of the driving and have yourself a mini vacation. Either way these New Jersey road trips will take your breath away.
The Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway stretches approximately 122 miles from the Delaware Bay in Mannington Township to Cape May at New Jersey’s southernmost tip. Along the way, you’ll have stunning views of the Delaware River and Bay, farm land, historic architecture and wildlife, with stopping points in historic villages.
Distance:Â 122 miles
Route highlights: Fort Mott State Park, Bayshore Center at Bivalve, East Point Lighthouse, and Cape May Lighthouse.
When to do it: Spring-Fall
Photo Cred: greggstraussphotography
Start at Delaware Water Gap for this scenic drive that does a clock-wise loop towards Newton (but it can be done in either direction!). You’ll travel along Old Mine Road, a narrow winding road that travels along the Delaware River and through the entire Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Stop-offs on the loop include Milbrook village, viewpoints of Kittatinny Ridge and Turtle Beach.
Distance:Â 75 miles
Route highlights:Â Mt. Tammany, Stokes State Park, Millbrook
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: walshie_walsh
You won’t see see a bolder, better view of the Hudson River and New York City skyline! The Palisades Scenic Byway includes 10 miles along the Palisades Interstate Parkway and another 8.5 miles on Henry Hudson Drive. In New Jersey, the park includes more than 30 miles of hiking trails—ideal for those who appreciate fall foliage.
Distance:Â 20 miles
Route highlights: Hudson River and New York City skyline, Palisades Interstate Park, Fort Lee Historic Park, Tenafly Nature Center.
When to do it: Year-round
Photo Cred: mattbaronphoto
See one of the country’s most unique ecosystems on the Pine Barrens Scenic Byway, a 130-mile driving adventure that is divided into three different routes. Along the route are the Edwin B. Forsythe and Cape May National Wildlife Refuges, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, 10 State Wildlife Areas, three State Parks, five county parks and more.
Distance:Â 130 miles
Route highlights: Edwin B. Forsythe, Cape May National Wildlife Refuges, Bass River State Forest, Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest.
When to do it: Spring-Fall
Photo Cred: tainted_candy
This winding trip (Route 519 from Colesville to Rosemont) through New Jersey’s farmlands and small villages transports you back to a time long ago, where life moved at a slower pace. Highlights along the pretty route the many antique shops in places like Harmony and Plumbsock, and Goliath, the world’s largest preserved bear, at Space Farms in Beemerville.
Distance:Â 89 miles
Route highlights: Harmony, Plumbsock, Lake Mohawk
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: vballchickie
The Delaware River Scenic Byway goes along riverbanks and canal towpaths, historic mills and farms. This route takes you past Washington Crossing State Park, Bull’s Island Recreation Area and through the quaint river towns of Lambertville, Stockton and Frenchtown.
Distance: 33 miles
Route highlights:Â Washington Crossing State Park, Howell Living History Farm
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: thesecondgleam
This 21-mile stretch of road is perfect for a relaxing summer road trip where you’re likely not to meet any other cars along the way, driving from Gretna to Hammonton along Route 542. The gem here is of course Batsto Village, a preserved Pine Barrens village that’scomposed of 33 historic buildings and structures including the Batsto Mansion, gristmill, sawmill, general store, workers’ homes and post office.
Distance:Â 21 miles
Route highlights: Batsto Village, Swan Bay Wildlife Management Area, Wading River
When to do it:Â Summer
Photo Cred: tuesdadventureblog
If you are spending time in the state check out 7 Mind-Blowing Airbnbs For The Ultimate New Jersey Staycation.
If you want to escape the metropolitan areas and get some fresh air, these New Jersey road trips are the ideal place to start. With over 130 miles of stunning Atlantic coastline there are some wonderful driving options in the state.
You will be able to drive to vantage points where you can see New York city, explore large national parks or just meander down to quiet beaches. In short there is a little bit of something for everybody.
You could base yourself in the city and tackle these as day trips or even better make a long weekend out of the driving and have yourself a mini vacation. Either way these New Jersey road trips will take your breath away.
The Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway stretches approximately 122 miles from the Delaware Bay in Mannington Township to Cape May at New Jersey’s southernmost tip. Along the way, you’ll have stunning views of the Delaware River and Bay, farm land, historic architecture and wildlife, with stopping points in historic villages.
Distance:Â 122 miles
Route highlights: Fort Mott State Park, Bayshore Center at Bivalve, East Point Lighthouse, and Cape May Lighthouse.
When to do it: Spring-Fall
Photo Cred: greggstraussphotography
Start at Delaware Water Gap for this scenic drive that does a clock-wise loop towards Newton (but it can be done in either direction!). You’ll travel along Old Mine Road, a narrow winding road that travels along the Delaware River and through the entire Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Stop-offs on the loop include Milbrook village, viewpoints of Kittatinny Ridge and Turtle Beach.
Distance:Â 75 miles
Route highlights:Â Mt. Tammany, Stokes State Park, Millbrook
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: walshie_walsh
You won’t see see a bolder, better view of the Hudson River and New York City skyline! The Palisades Scenic Byway includes 10 miles along the Palisades Interstate Parkway and another 8.5 miles on Henry Hudson Drive. In New Jersey, the park includes more than 30 miles of hiking trails—ideal for those who appreciate fall foliage.
Distance:Â 20 miles
Route highlights: Hudson River and New York City skyline, Palisades Interstate Park, Fort Lee Historic Park, Tenafly Nature Center.
When to do it: Year-round
Photo Cred: mattbaronphoto
See one of the country’s most unique ecosystems on the Pine Barrens Scenic Byway, a 130-mile driving adventure that is divided into three different routes. Along the route are the Edwin B. Forsythe and Cape May National Wildlife Refuges, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, 10 State Wildlife Areas, three State Parks, five county parks and more.
Distance:Â 130 miles
Route highlights: Edwin B. Forsythe, Cape May National Wildlife Refuges, Bass River State Forest, Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest.
When to do it: Spring-Fall
Photo Cred: tainted_candy
This winding trip (Route 519 from Colesville to Rosemont) through New Jersey’s farmlands and small villages transports you back to a time long ago, where life moved at a slower pace. Highlights along the pretty route the many antique shops in places like Harmony and Plumbsock, and Goliath, the world’s largest preserved bear, at Space Farms in Beemerville.
Distance:Â 89 miles
Route highlights: Harmony, Plumbsock, Lake Mohawk
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: vballchickie
The Delaware River Scenic Byway goes along riverbanks and canal towpaths, historic mills and farms. This route takes you past Washington Crossing State Park, Bull’s Island Recreation Area and through the quaint river towns of Lambertville, Stockton and Frenchtown.
Distance: 33 miles
Route highlights:Â Washington Crossing State Park, Howell Living History Farm
When to do it:Â Year-round
Photo Cred: thesecondgleam
This 21-mile stretch of road is perfect for a relaxing summer road trip where you’re likely not to meet any other cars along the way, driving from Gretna to Hammonton along Route 542. The gem here is of course Batsto Village, a preserved Pine Barrens village that’scomposed of 33 historic buildings and structures including the Batsto Mansion, gristmill, sawmill, general store, workers’ homes and post office.
Distance:Â 21 miles
Route highlights: Batsto Village, Swan Bay Wildlife Management Area, Wading River
When to do it:Â Summer
Photo Cred: tuesdadventureblog
If you are spending time in the state check out 7 Mind-Blowing Airbnbs For The Ultimate New Jersey Staycation.