Winding 498.7 miles through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the Connecticut River Byway traces America’s longest New England river from South Hadley to West Stewartstown. This National Scenic Byway delivers an authentic journey through the heart of rural New England.

Travelers follow the river’s course past rolling farmland, historic covered bridges, and quintessential village greens anchored by white-steepled churches. The route passes through the Pioneer Valley’s fertile tobacco fields, climbs alongside forested hillsides, and opens to sweeping views of the White Mountains. Stop in charming towns like Brattleboro, Hanover (home to Dartmouth College), and Woodsville to explore local shops, farm stands, and riverside parks.

Wildlife abounds along the corridor—watch for bald eagles soaring above the water, great blue herons fishing in quiet eddies, and moose in the northern stretches. Historic sites, including colonial-era homes and remnants of the region’s agricultural heritage, appear around every bend.

Best Time to Visit: Fall foliage season (late September through mid-October) transforms the byway into a corridor of blazing color, though spring wildflowers and summer’s lush greenery offer their own rewards.

Allow: Three to five days to fully appreciate the byway’s small towns, scenic overlooks, and riverside trails.

Explore Nearby

• Hyde Hall Bridge — Covered Bridge in New York
• Marshall Bridge — Covered Bridge in Indiana
• Bear’s Den Natural Area — State Park in New Hampshire
• Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area — State Park in New Hampshire
• Jarvis Island Light — Lighthouse in New Hampshire