There’s never a bad time to get out and take in the beauty of a relaxing scenic drive in Connecticut. It’s one of our favorite ways to explore the Nutmeg State. Some of us love to just coast down the road and enjoy the windshield views. Others like to find beautiful attractions to get out and explore. Whatever way it is that you enjoy traveling down beautiful roads in Connecticut, we’ve picked out a dozen that are just perfect for all your year’s adventures.
- January: U.S. 7/Ethan Allen Highway
Christian Linwood/Google Local U.S. Route 7 is a north-south route that travels through much of western New England. Approximately 78 miles of the highway runs through western Connecticut and is known as the Ethan Allen Highway. A trip down this road will take you through some of the most beautiful areas of the state. You’ll drive right through Kent, home of the magnificent Kent Falls State Park, and Lovers Leap State Park (pictured) is not far off the road, either. Both of these parks are at the peak of their beauty in the winter, making January a perfect time to visit. This area is a nature lover’s paradise! U.S. 7, US-7, New Milford, CT, USA
- February: CT-85
Jerry Dougherty/Wikimedia Commons CT-85 is a historic route that connects New London to Bolton. The road leads through several charming small towns, including Hebron (pictured), so there are plenty of places to stop to shop or grab a bite to eat. Connecticut 85, CT-85, Waterford, CT, USA
- March: CT-219
Dave Ouelette/Flickr CT-219 is a peaceful 15-mile stretch of road running from New Hartford to Granby. It intersects with several scenic country roads, so if you’d like to make the drive longer, there are plenty of opportunities. Pictured is a beautiful scene from Enders State Forest, the 1,500-acre preserve that CT-219 runs right through. This area is perfect for a spring drive, making March a great time to explore this route. Connecticut 219, CT-219, New Hartford, CT, USA
- April: Litchfield Hills Scenic Loop
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The Litchfield Hills region is one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut. These gently rolling hills are absolutely magnificent in the springtime, when wildflowers and verdant greenery abound. The Litchfield Hills Scenic Loop runs for about 60 miles right through the heart of the hills. Hop on Routes 7, 202, 341, or 45 and enjoy this scenic trip around the hills. Litchfield County, CT, USA
- May: CT-254
Suzan Smith, Artist, Observer/Google Local CT-254 is another road in stunning Litchfield County. It runs for less than nine miles, but what a gorgeous nine miles! The route runs between Litchfield and Thomaston and passes right by the 615-acre Topsmead State Forest, a historic summer estate that has been turned into a preserve.
- June: CT-27
Patrick Franzis/Flickr CT-27 is a short route, but it’s just perfect for May. The weather’s warming up and this little four-mile road connects Mystic to Old Mystic. Mystic is one of the best summer towns in Connecticut, so take a few hours to explore the area and enjoy all the splendors the town has to offer! Connecticut 27, CT-27, Stonington, CT, USA
- July: U.S. 1
Juliancolton/Wikimedia Commons Want a scenic drive in Connecticut that’s a little longer? Check out U.S> Route 1 runs through 120 miles of the Nutmeg State, running parallel to the coastline. Whether you’re just enjoying the drive or want to stop in some of the seaside towns and enjoy the atmosphere, this is one summer drive you don’t want to miss. U.S. 1, Milford, Connecticut, USA
- August: CT-154
Old Saybrook CT-154 is a 28-mile state highway that runs about 28 miles and is one of the main roads in Old Saybrook. The road ends when it hits the water at Harvey’s Beach, one of the most underrated beaches in Connecticut. Beach drives are perfect for summer, and this is a great road to enjoy in August. Connecticut 154, CT-154, Old Saybrook, CT, USA
- September: Merritt Parkway
Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration/Wikimedia Commons Merritt Parkway was built in 1938 and it’s one of the oldest parkways in the United States. The 38-mile road has lovely Art Deco overpasses. This is such a beautiful drive! Merritt Parkway, Merritt Pkwy, New Canaan, CT, USA
- October: CT-169
Jbailhe/Wikimedia Commons CT-169 runs from the border with Massachusetts down about 32 miles to Lisbon. The state’s northwest corner is known as the Quiet Corner thanks to its peaceful vibe. The road goes through several pastoral small towns, including Pomfret (pictured). This is an especially gorgeous area when the leaves are changing, so October is a great time to visit! Connecticut 169, CT-169, Lisbon, CT, USA
- November: CT-146
Adam Moss/Wikimedia Commons CT-146 is an alternate route to US-1 that connects Branford and Guilford. It’s a 13-mile designated scenic route that has some incredible scenery. Since it’s pretty short, you’ve got plenty of time to explore the endpoints. Guilford is one of the prettiest historic towns in Connecticut. Connecticut 146, CT-146, Branford, CT, USA
- December: CT-8
Logan Ingalls/Flickr CT-8 runs through almost the entire north-south borders of the Nutmeg State. It’s a great road trip, going through plenty of beautiful towns, like Naugatuck (pictured). Much of the road is a four-lane highway, but the northernmost section is a two-lane road. Very few four-lane roads boast scenery this pretty, but CT-8 goes right through the Topsmead State Forest and Mattatuck State Forest, so you’ve got gorgeous wooded views throughout! Connecticut 8, CT-8, Winsted, CT, USA
If you’ve been wanting to explore the state more, these scenic drives in Connecticut are perfect to enjoy in the upcoming year!
Christian Linwood/Google Local
U.S. Route 7 is a north-south route that travels through much of western New England. Approximately 78 miles of the highway runs through western Connecticut and is known as the Ethan Allen Highway. A trip down this road will take you through some of the most beautiful areas of the state. You’ll drive right through Kent, home of the magnificent Kent Falls State Park, and Lovers Leap State Park (pictured) is not far off the road, either. Both of these parks are at the peak of their beauty in the winter, making January a perfect time to visit. This area is a nature lover’s paradise!
U.S. 7, US-7, New Milford, CT, USA
Jerry Dougherty/Wikimedia Commons
CT-85 is a historic route that connects New London to Bolton. The road leads through several charming small towns, including Hebron (pictured), so there are plenty of places to stop to shop or grab a bite to eat.
Connecticut 85, CT-85, Waterford, CT, USA
Dave Ouelette/Flickr
CT-219 is a peaceful 15-mile stretch of road running from New Hartford to Granby. It intersects with several scenic country roads, so if you’d like to make the drive longer, there are plenty of opportunities. Pictured is a beautiful scene from Enders State Forest, the 1,500-acre preserve that CT-219 runs right through. This area is perfect for a spring drive, making March a great time to explore this route.
Connecticut 219, CT-219, New Hartford, CT, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The Litchfield Hills region is one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut. These gently rolling hills are absolutely magnificent in the springtime, when wildflowers and verdant greenery abound. The Litchfield Hills Scenic Loop runs for about 60 miles right through the heart of the hills. Hop on Routes 7, 202, 341, or 45 and enjoy this scenic trip around the hills.
Litchfield County, CT, USA
Suzan Smith, Artist, Observer/Google Local
CT-254 is another road in stunning Litchfield County. It runs for less than nine miles, but what a gorgeous nine miles! The route runs between Litchfield and Thomaston and passes right by the 615-acre Topsmead State Forest, a historic summer estate that has been turned into a preserve.
Patrick Franzis/Flickr
CT-27 is a short route, but it’s just perfect for May. The weather’s warming up and this little four-mile road connects Mystic to Old Mystic. Mystic is one of the best summer towns in Connecticut, so take a few hours to explore the area and enjoy all the splendors the town has to offer!
Connecticut 27, CT-27, Stonington, CT, USA
Juliancolton/Wikimedia Commons
Want a scenic drive in Connecticut that’s a little longer? Check out U.S> Route 1 runs through 120 miles of the Nutmeg State, running parallel to the coastline. Whether you’re just enjoying the drive or want to stop in some of the seaside towns and enjoy the atmosphere, this is one summer drive you don’t want to miss.
U.S. 1, Milford, Connecticut, USA
Old Saybrook
CT-154 is a 28-mile state highway that runs about 28 miles and is one of the main roads in Old Saybrook. The road ends when it hits the water at Harvey’s Beach, one of the most underrated beaches in Connecticut. Beach drives are perfect for summer, and this is a great road to enjoy in August.
Connecticut 154, CT-154, Old Saybrook, CT, USA
Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration/Wikimedia Commons
Merritt Parkway was built in 1938 and it’s one of the oldest parkways in the United States. The 38-mile road has lovely Art Deco overpasses. This is such a beautiful drive!
Merritt Parkway, Merritt Pkwy, New Canaan, CT, USA
Jbailhe/Wikimedia Commons
CT-169 runs from the border with Massachusetts down about 32 miles to Lisbon. The state’s northwest corner is known as the Quiet Corner thanks to its peaceful vibe. The road goes through several pastoral small towns, including Pomfret (pictured). This is an especially gorgeous area when the leaves are changing, so October is a great time to visit!
Connecticut 169, CT-169, Lisbon, CT, USA
Adam Moss/Wikimedia Commons
CT-146 is an alternate route to US-1 that connects Branford and Guilford. It’s a 13-mile designated scenic route that has some incredible scenery. Since it’s pretty short, you’ve got plenty of time to explore the endpoints. Guilford is one of the prettiest historic towns in Connecticut.
Connecticut 146, CT-146, Branford, CT, USA
Logan Ingalls/Flickr
CT-8 runs through almost the entire north-south borders of the Nutmeg State. It’s a great road trip, going through plenty of beautiful towns, like Naugatuck (pictured). Much of the road is a four-lane highway, but the northernmost section is a two-lane road. Very few four-lane roads boast scenery this pretty, but CT-8 goes right through the Topsmead State Forest and Mattatuck State Forest, so you’ve got gorgeous wooded views throughout!
Connecticut 8, CT-8, Winsted, CT, USA
Did we miss your favorite road? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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