Hop In Your Car And Take State Route 102 For An Incredible 44-Mile Scenic Drive In Rhode Island

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.

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.

Most of the highway follows Ten Rod Road, which dates back to the 18th century.

Your best bet is to start in North Smithfield.

You will wind your way down to historic Burrillville, a quiet rural community that boasts wide open spaces, woodlands, pristine lakes, and glorious scenery.

Next, you'll pass Glocester and Scituate before reaching Foster.

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.

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.

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.

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: