Rhode Island may be a small state, but there are still dozens of scenic drives perfect for enjoying on a pleasant afternoon. And while our coastal highways are remarkable, for a good old-fashioned cruise through the countryside, we highly recommend taking Route 102 Rhode Island. Full of historic structures, beautiful sights, and two historic districts, this is a great glimpse into the Ocean State’s glorious past.

Get ready to embark upon State Route 102. It is about 44 miles in its entirety, which is a pretty long drive for Rhody.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
To put it in perspective, that's slightly longer than the portion of Route 95 that runs through the state. It won't be long before you see why we think it is one of the best scenic drives in Rhode Island!
State Route 102 is a beautiful way to get from northern to southern Rhode Island if you're not in a major hurry.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
Most of the highway follows Ten Rod Road, which dates back to the 18th century.
Your best bet is to start in North Smithfield.
Sean / Flickr
You will wind your way down to historic Burrillville, a quiet rural community that boasts wide open spaces, woodlands, pristine lakes, and glorious scenery.

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Next, you'll pass Glocester and Scituate before reaching Foster.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Foster is a tiny town on the Connecticut border that happens to be home to the only covered bridge on a public road in the entire state.
Keep driving until you reach Exeter, which is quiet and peaceful and all-around beautiful.
Peter Rintels / Flickr
You'd never guess that Exeter is where Rhode Island's biggest vampire mystery took place, but Mercy Brown and her family are buried here.
The route ends in the delightfully charming Wickford Village, which seems ideal.
Jared Enos / Flickr
This route truly embraces small-town America at its finest.
Route 102 Rhode Island is a treasure trove for anyone who loves learning about local history.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
And aside from that, it's just plain beautiful - the scenic views will captivate you!

When was the last time you enjoyed a drive down Route 102 Rhode Island? Or if you haven’t, are you intrigued to do it? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore hikes along this Rhode Island scenic drive, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Rhode Island adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

More to Love About Rhode Island

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | August 20, 2023

Where can we find wineries in Rhode Island?

  • Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth features gorgeous water views.
  • Mulberry Vineyards in Chepachet offers live music events during the warmer months of the year.
  • Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery in West Greenwich is one of the most beautiful winery properties in the state.

Read on to learn about the many great wineries in Rhode Island.

Where can we find flea markets in Rhode Island?

  • Old Mill Vintage Marketplace and Flea in West Warwick is cool because it is located inside of an old textile mill.
  • The Americana Expo Center Flea Market in Providence offers mostly new items and is a great place for bargain finds.
  • Big Top Flea Market in Providence is the oldest flea market in the city.

Read on to learn about the many wonderful flea markets in Rhode Island.

Where can we find museums in Rhode Island?

  • The Seabees Museum and Memorial Park in North Kingston extol the history of “The Seabee,” a unique military battalion in the Navy.
  • The Naval War College Museum in Newport is one of only 10 official museums operated by the U.S. Navy in the country. Its primary focus is on the history of naval activities and naval warfare in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay area.
  • The Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology in Providence features a collection of over 150,000 objects from all over the world. Its original founding was with objects representative of the Native cultures of the Americas.

Read on to learn more about the many interesting museums in Rhode Island.

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Featured Addresses
Rhode Island 102, RI-102, Exeter, RI, USA