Route 100 Vermont: A Scenic Drive Guide from an Inn on the Byway

Few drives capture the Green Mountain State quite like Route 100 Vermont. Stretching more than 200 miles through mountain towns, farmland, and classic New England villages, it’s one of the most rewarding scenic drives in Vermont, and for guests of Echo Lake Inn in Ludlow, it runs right past the front door.

Our stretch of the byway keeps guests busy without ever straying far. Within a short drive of the inn, you can ride the scenic chairlift at Okemo Mountain in season, cast for trout in the Black River, cool off at Buttermilk Falls, or detour up Route 100A to Plymouth Notch, the remarkably preserved village where Calvin Coolidge was born and first sworn in as president. Come fall, this same road becomes one of the best-known scenic drives in Vermont, with hardwood forests turning red, orange, and gold. For anyone planning a Vermont Route 100 fall foliage trip, Ludlow makes an easy home base for exploring the best of the season.

We offer one of the best places to stay in Vermont, sitting right on Route 100 itself. Our Bed and Breakfast has welcomed travelers since the 1800s, with President Calvin Coolidge and Thomas Edison among the notable names in its guest history, and our location puts many of the southern and central byway’s highlights within easy reach.

What to Expect When You Drive Route 100 Vermont

Vermont Route 100 runs about 216 miles from the Massachusetts state line to Newport in the north, following the Green Mountains for much of the route. It’s often called Vermont’s Main Street, and the Scenic Route 100 Byway also goes by the Skiers Highway, since the corridor links travelers with mountain communities and ski areas across the state. The officially designated Route 100 Scenic Byway covers about 146 miles of southern and central Vermont, including the Okemo Valley around Ludlow. You could drive the full highway in roughly five hours without stopping, but Route 100 Vermont rewards a slower pace, with time for overlooks, villages, local food, and short detours.

What you’ll see changes with the season. Summer brings swimming holes like Buttermilk Falls, where a short half mile trail leads to swimmable pools below the upper and lower cascades. Winter turns the corridor into a natural connector between mountain towns and ski areas. Fall is when Vermont Route 100 fall foliage draws its biggest crowds, though peak color shifts by elevation and weather year to year. Vermont’s foliage season generally runs from mid-September into late October, so anyone planning a Route 100 Vermont fall foliage trip should check current foliage reports and book lodging well ahead of popular October weekends.

A Ludlow Base for Exploring the Byway

Our favorite stops cluster near the inn, which is why we tell guests to treat Ludlow as their base for a scenic drive along Vermont Route 100. Head south about 25 minutes to Weston and you’ll find the original Vermont Country Store, opened in 1946 and still known for classic Vermont foods, candy, gifts, and practical goods.

Head north and turn onto Route 100A for Plymouth Notch, a National Historic Landmark district where Calvin Coolidge was born and where his father administered the presidential oath of office in 1923. The historic Plymouth Cheese Factory, built by Coolidge’s father in 1890, still produces cheese today. Continue north on Route 100A to Bridgewater Corners, and you’ll reach Long Trail Brewing near the junction of Route 100A and U.S. Route 4.

A little planning goes a long way before you set out. For a Vermont Route 100 road trip map, start with Vermont Tourism’s official Scenic Byways map. Check Vermont road conditions before leaving, and confirm seasonal hours for stops like Okemo’s scenic chairlift and the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Keep your fuel tank topped off before rural stretches, and give yourself more time than the mileage suggests. Among Vermont scenic drives, this one is less about completing a route than about having time to stop when the scenery, a farm stand, or a village catches your attention.

One of the Best Places to Stay in Vermont Is Right on the Byway

After a day on scenic Route 100 Vermont, you’ll want to return to a comfortable stay close by. Our Bed and Breakfast sits along the Route 100 corridor in the Tyson section of Ludlow, so you can make the inn your home base for exploring both north and south. Choose from 20 guest rooms, each with its own character and several with a gas fireplace and Jacuzzi tub, or settle a larger group into one of eight condos. Dinner is available at our on-site restaurant, where the menu features local and sustainably sourced ingredients.

If you want more time outside, follow our river path to Echo Lake and use one of our kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, or rowboats. EV chargers are also available at the inn, a useful amenity for guests tackling longer scenic drives in Vermont. Every stay includes a made-to-order country breakfast, ideal fuel for another morning on Route 100 Vermont. Book your stay today and start planning your fall getaway.

Route 100 Vermont: FAQ
When is peak fall foliage in Vermont?
Vermont’s foliage season generally runs from mid-September into late October, with peak color varying by elevation and region each year. Higher elevations along Route 100 tend to turn first, with color moving into the valleys as the season progresses. Vermont in the fall is one of the most spectacular times to visit.

Where to stay in Vermont for fall foliage?
Ludlow is one of the best places to stay in Vermont for fall foliage, thanks to its location directly on Route 100 and easy access to both the Okemo Valley and Plymouth Notch. A stay right on the byway makes it simple to explore in every direction without long drives between stops.

Where is Ludlow, Vermont?
Ludlow sits in the Okemo Valley within the officially designated Route 100 Scenic Byway, roughly in the southern-central part of the state. It’s home to Okemo Mountain and sits within easy reach of Weston, Plymouth Notch, and Bridgewater Corners.

Where to see fall foliage in Vermont?
Route 100 is one of the state’s most reliable corridors for fall color, running through the Green Mountains and past classic New England villages for over 200 miles. Detours onto Route 100A toward Plymouth Notch add mountain views without straying far from the main byway.

Where does Route 100 start in Vermont?
Vermont Route 100 begins at the Massachusetts state line and runs about 216 miles north to Newport, following the Green Mountains for much of its length. The officially designated Scenic Byway portion covers about 146 miles of the southern and central sections, including the stretch through Ludlow.