The 7 Best Backroads In Delaware For A Long Scenic Drive
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Even though Delaware’s a tiny state, there are plenty of scenic routes to take when you’re looking to go for a drive. With six National Scenic Byways and countless country roads, driving aimlessly through New Castle, Kent, and Sussex County is sure to bring you to a beautiful viewpoint that you’ve never seen before. So go ahead and take the long way home on some of these scenic drives in Delaware.
Nanticoke Heritage Byway, Sussex County, DE, USA
This scenic byway will take you through winding roads in Sussex County. Head out on Route 20 to Bridgeville Road along Route 13. You'll pass through Bethel, Seaford, and Laurel, and finally end up at Trap Pond State Park. Oh, and you'll get to cross the stunning Nanticoke River on the Woodland Ferry.
Learn more about the Nanticoke Heritage Byway, one of our favorite scenic drives in DE, in this video from CompleteCommunities:
Learn more about the Nanticoke Heritage Byway, one of our favorite scenic drives in DE, in this video from CompleteCommunities:
Brandywine Valley, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Head out of Wilmington on Route 52 and head up Route 100. You'll briefly end up in Pennsylvania as you take in the beauty of Delaware's Brandywine Valley. Head west on Route 1 through Chadds Ford and past Longwood Gardens before taking Bayard Drive back into the First State. From there, enjoy the scenic Route 52 through Montchanin and back into Wilmington.
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Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Drive alongside the Canal and see the charming town of Lewes along the Gateway to the Nation Byway. You'll see Cape Henlopen State Park, the Lightship Overfalls, the famous Ferry, and plenty of seashore scenes.
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Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway, New Castle County, Deleware, USA
The Red Clay Valley Byway takes you over the historic Ashland Covered Bridge! This tour of New Castle County really shows off the best of Delaware's chateau country.
Discover the history of the Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway in this video from CompleteCommunities:
Discover the history of the Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway in this video from CompleteCommunities:
Delaware 71, DE-71, Middletown, DE, USA
Follow Route 71 down from Middletown as it winds its way through Kent County. Blackbird Creek Reserve is the perfect place to picnic or launch a kayak to continue your Delaware exploration. Wiggins Mill is another point of interest along the way, and you'll love walking around the pretty little pond.
U.S. 301, US-301, Middletown, DE, USA
Over the canal and through Middletown we go! Route 301 is one of my more traveled routes, and I prefer it to all of the major highways. It is quiet as you cross the canal, and picks up a bit in Middletown. I love driving through the downtown - it's so charming. As you leave Middletown, you'll be on a straight shot toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland! Enjoy the Eastern Shore a bit before heading back to Delaware.
Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Route 6 is an often unexplored section of road that runs right through Smyrna! You can skip off towards Lighthouse Road to see some beautiful Bayshore marshland or stick on Route 6 until you end up at the quiet piers of Woodland Beach. Either way, heading east of Smyrna will find you some pretty scenic routes.
Take a pitstop along Delaware Route 6 in Smyrna to enjoy this charming small town. Enjoy a quick overview of life in Smyrna in this video from the Town of Smyrna:
Take a pitstop along Delaware Route 6 in Smyrna to enjoy this charming small town. Enjoy a quick overview of life in Smyrna in this video from the Town of Smyrna:
These scenic drives in Delaware take us on a journey that allows us to remember why we love our fine state. What are some of the places you like to go on a scenic drive in DE?
If you enjoy the solace of backroads near you, you might also want to explore a few spots listed as our 12 perfect places in Delaware for people who hate crowds. If you are up for an adventure, rent an RV and start exploring some of these DE scenic routes!
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More to Explore
More scenic routes in Delaware
What are some of the best drives in DE?
Delaware may be a small state but there are still some pretty drives along the coast and through the interior. Here are a few of the best drives in DE to enjoy our beautiful state:
- Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway: The Delaware portion of this scenic drive is only about 12.25 miles, but it is definitely worth checking out. The rest of the 37.3-mile drive passes into Pennsylvania. Along the Delaware portion, you can enjoy the wide-open Chateau Country with rolling hills and estate views. A section of the byway also passes by Rodney Square with the iconic Hotel DuPont/
- A natural wonders road trip: If you enjoy exploring nature and the wonderful scenic areas of Delaware, you'll love this road trip. Drive through Wilmington State Park passing by Alapocas Run (a wonderful climbing area) and White Clay Creek, a beautiful place to explore. Then, stop at Woodland Beach, Slaughter Beach, and Bowers Beach to catch horseshoe crabs scurrying in the sand. Of course, the dunes at Cape Henlopen are another place to stretch your legs.
- Bayshore Byway: Route 9 is a quiet scenic road with plenty of places to stop and explore or simply go for a peaceful drive along Delaware Bay. The route takes you from New Castle to Dover, DE. On part of the drive, you'll pass by marshland which is particularly beautiful in the early morning light. Keep an eye out for migratory birds that stop for a brief rest before continuing on their journey. A stop at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge might be in order as well.
- A fall foliage road trip: Delaware is a magical place when the fall leaves start changing. So this fall colors road trip is really something special. This route, starting in Trap Pond State Park near Laurel and ending in Winterthur, takes us from south to north in one of the most scenic drives in the state. It just goes to show you that there are always back roads near you that are worth exploring.