Vermont Route 100 is a north-south state highway in Vermont in the United States. It runs through the center of the state and travels almost the entire length of Vermont. It is 216.6 miles long and is Vermont’s longest-numbered highway. It will take you approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes of driving time and you’ll be able to see Vermont’s top destinations. Keep reading to learn about the start and end points, best places to stay, and highlights along the Vermont Route 100.
Where is Vermont Route 100?
As the name suggests, it is located in Vermont. It runs from the southern tip of Vermont to the northern border of the state with Canada. Vermont Route 100 is a scenic trip that is great for any time of the year and offers you gorgeous experiences through towns and forests. The route passes through towns like Burlington, Stowe, Troy, and others.
Vermont Route 100 begins in the beautiful town of Heartwellville, near the border of Massachusetts. Heartwellville is near the popular Dutch Hill Skii Area and scenic Herriman Reservoir. The end of the route is the northern town of Troy. This gorgeous town is just a few miles away from the Canadian border and is surrounded by natural scenery.
Highlights
Grandma Miller’s (Londonderry) – You should head to Grandma Miller’s Red Barn bakery to get beloved Vermont-baked goods that include fruit, nut, and meat pies; freshly baked pastries, cakes, and quick bread; doughnuts and a frozen tub of cookie dough.
Vermont Country Store (Weston) – This dog-friendly shopping place is iconic for its eclectic wares, from Vermont-made gifts and gourmet food to flannel apparel and hard-to-find items. The original Vermont store was founded in 1946, and travelers on Vermont Route 100 find it impossible to just drive by.
Green Mountain Sugar House (Ludlow) – Everything maple-y awaits at this waterside, red-roofed sugarhouse where the photo ops are as sweet as the syrups, candies, and soft serve creemees. You will love shopping around here for a full slate of Vermont food products including smoked meats, cheeses, honey, and coffee.
President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site (Plymouth) – It is the birthplace of America’s 30th President and is preserved for visitors to experience. Explore the entire town of Plymouth Notch, including the still-operating cheese factory, and learn about how Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office and operated his summer White House right here in this place.
Moss Glen Falls (Granville) – Make sure you keep an eye out for this 35-foot waterfall on the western side of Vermont Route 100. It is easily the most impressive thing in the spring, as snowmelt adds to the volume of water that tumbles over dark rocks. A small bridge leads to a viewing deck, which makes it easy to photograph.
Mad River Glass Gallery (Waitsfield) – This gallery is a great place to appreciate the wonders of glass.
Ben & Jerry’s Factory (Waterbury) – Childhood friends Ben & Jerry have turned a $5 ice cream-making correspondence course into one of Vermont’s most successful and socially responsible businesses and one of the top ice cream brands out there. In addition to touring the factory, you can also visit the Flavor Graveyard and Scoop Shop.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Waterbury Center) – Fall is the busiest time at Vermont’s best cider mill, where you can watch apples being pressed into sweet cider. You can also witness the donut robots, which turn out the hot cider donuts that are in demand year-round. Also, go to the gift shops to get gourmet products, taste hard ciders, and take some photographs.
Vermont’s Ski & Snowboard Museum (Stowe) – It doesn’t have to be a bluebird day for you to immerse yourself in Vermont’s ski scene. You can learn about the history of skiing and riding in the state at this artifact-filled museum in an 1818 meeting house.
The Alchemist (Stowe) – If you’re a beer lover, you will want to visit one of Vermont’s best breweries, where Heady Topper, the double IPA that put Vermont on the world beer map, is crafted.
Stay
All year round, you will be able to find Airbnb’s and ski-area condos for a convenient multi-day stay in Vermont Route 100 region. You should consider these staying options if you’re planning to stay several days driving Vermont Route 100.
Deerhill Inn – It offers views of the Green Mountains, has fine dining on-site, and a notable wine cellar which makes it a perfect home base, especially during foliage season.
The Lodge at Bromley – For simple, clean, friendly accommodations and an unbeatable mountain view, detour just 7 miles off Vermont Route 100 to this lodging site on Route 11 in Peru.
The Trailside Inn – It is near Killington and oozes Vermont’s charm while offering affordable and comfortable places to rest your head. You can borrow sleds or rent snowshoes to set out for winter fun right on the inn grounds, knowing that a fire awaits you in the Great Room on cold, dark nights.
Lareau Farm Inn – You can choose from a dozen bright cherry B&B rooms at this historic farmhouse-turned inn in Waitsfield.
The Pitcher Inn – With rustic-themed yet incredibly polished rooms, upscale dining, and gorgeous fireplaces to warm you, this inn is just off Vermont Route 100 in Warren.
Field Guide Lodge – It is just off Vermont Route 100 in Stowe and has nostalgic yet youthful energy and style including perks like complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool, hot tub, and fire pit.
Food
Garden Cafe and Gallery – You can multitask at this Londonderry, Vermont, destination where you can pick up picnic foods to go, shop for local gourmet and gift products, admire art by Vermont people, and enjoy dinner by a wooden fire.
The Downtown Grocery – Make sure you make some room for desserts made with Vermont ingredients like apple and maple syrup.
The Wild Fern – It is a vegan-friendly cafe right on Vermont Route 100 in Stockbridge, Vermont. It is known for its live music, freshly baked bread, bagels, soups, pizzas, and burgers.
Sandy’s Books and Bakery – It is located in Rochester, Vermont and here you can browse a room of books while your bagel is toasting, and your soup is being warmed.
American Flatbread – This is Vermont’s take on pizza, and you can have bubbly crushed flatbreads topped with fresh sustainable ingredients.
Michael’s on the Hill – You will be able to find one of Vermont’s best farm-to-table restaurants situated on a hill in Waterbury Center overlooking Vermont Route 100 and some scenic mountain peaks. Swiss chef Michael Kloeti is known for using local, organic Vermont ingredients in European-style comfort food dishes.
Plate – It is in Stowe and is perfect for a romantic meal that features beautifully plated fare made with Vermont-grown raw materials. Vegan options are also available over here.
Tips
- Pay attention to speed limits and do not cross them. It is typically 50mph but may drop to 30 or 25mph through small towns.
- Use apps such as Yelp to find the best restaurants that are just off Vermont Route 100 that are missed by many tourists.
- You can share the road with fewer drivers if you decide to drive during midweek, especially during the height of fall and ski seasons.
