The Garden State offers an abundance of natural beauty, and with that, dozens of the best scenic drives in New Jersey travel through it. Opportunities for picturesque drives are endless but, officially, New Jersey is home to 7 scenic byways. The “scenic byway” designation is awarded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to roads and routes that “have outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological significance.”
1. Bayshore Heritage Byway
The Bayshore Heritage Byway runs 122 miles along the Delaware Bay and Delaware River. It begins in Cape May Point and runs through Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties, ending in Mannington Township. It is comprised of a series of roads including CR 629, Route 47, Route 49, and CR 540. Sites along the way include Fort Mott State Park and East Point Lighthouse, pictured.
Plan to spend some time in Cape May before you head out.
2. Delaware River Scenic Byway
This 34-mile byway runs along Route 29 from Trenton to Frenchtown. It highlights the power and beauty of the Delaware River along with the ways it has shaped our state. Sights along the way include the lovely Washington Crossing State Park and the charming town of Lambertville. This New Jersey route is also designated as a National Scenic Byway.
Take a detour to see New Jersey’s Gravity Hill, too.
3. Millstone Valley Byway
This 27.5-mile stretch of road offers a scenic drive between Kingston and Millstone. Also a National Scenic Byway, the route runs along CR 533 and CR 603 in the Millstone Valley. Sights along the way include the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and the Kingston Mill Historic District.
There’s a whole lot of history on this scenic drive in New Jersey.
4. Palisades Scenic Byway
One of the shortest scenic byways on this list, you'll want to stop during this 19.1-mile stretch to enjoy the sights. Running along the Hudson River and Palisades Cliffs between Fort Lee and the New York border (on the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Henry Hudson Parkway), the views are unbeatable. Head here in the fall for breathtaking foliage, pack a picnic or take an incredible hike.
Learn more about this north Jersey scenic drive.
5. Pine Barrens Byway
The beautiful Pine Barrens encompass 1.1 million stunning acres and a drive through them cannot be missed. The Pine Barrens Byway is comprised of 3 separate routes totaling 130 miles. Stops along the way include the historic Batsto Village and some of the largest blueberry and cranberry harvesting operations in the world.
The Pinelands are truly something special.
6. Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway
This 24-mile byway is steeped in history. It runs from Allentown to Walnford Mill through farmland and Colonial neighborhoods. Allentown was founded in 1706 and has one of the largest contiguous historic districts in New Jersey. The route is comprised of a series of roads including CR 539, CR 526, and CR 27.
If you love the historic villages you’ll find, read more about them!
7. Warren Heritage Scenic Byway
The 19.03 miles of the Warren Heritage Scenic Byway run along the historic Morris Canal between Greenwich and Hackettstown. There's no canal quite like Morris which, at its peak, ran 109 miles and required numerous locks and planes to accommodate the greatest elevation change of any canal in the world.
The byway is also home to Thomas Edison's "Concrete Mile," the first concrete highway in New Jersey. Built in 1912 as an experiment to see if Edison's "Portland" concrete could work as a road surface, a sign marks its location. Edison's cement was also used in the construction of the original Yankee Stadium; his company was based out of New Village in Franklin Township, New Jersey.
You can even track down a hidden New Jersey waterfall when you take this route!
Were you aware of New Jersey’s seven scenic byways? Which of these scenic drives in New Jersey would you most like to drive? If you’d like to see another stretch of road score the official designation, members of the public are allowed to nominate a route. The lengthy process involves sponsorship and significant paperwork, but it would be pretty amazing to be a part of history. If you’re up for the task, consider one of these 12 beautiful country roads in New Jersey.