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, take the long way home.
- Nanticoke Heritage Byway
Flickr / Lee Cannon 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, 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. Find out more about the byway here.
- Brandywine Valley Back Roads
Flickr / TC Davis 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.
- Lewes “Gateway to the Nation” Byway
Flickr / Bob Mical Drive alongisde 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. Find the official route here.
- Red Clay Valley
Flickr / Ken Martin 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. Find the official route Find the official route here.
- Middletown to Blackbird (Route 71)
Flickr / Doug Kerr Follow Route 71 down from Middletown as it winds its way through Kent County. Blackbird Creek Preserve 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.
- Route 301, from Glasgow to Maryland
Flickr / Patrick Nouhalier 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 towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland! Enjoy the Eastern Shore a bit before heading back to Delaware.
- Route 6, through Smyrna
Flickr / Patrick Nouhailer 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.
If you enjoy the solace of the back roads, you might also really love to explore the places listed as our 12 Perfect Places In Delaware For People Who Hate Crowds.
Flickr / Lee Cannon
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, 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. Find out more about the byway here.
Flickr / TC Davis
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.
Flickr / Bob Mical
Drive alongisde 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. Find the official route here.
Flickr / Ken Martin
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. Find the official route Find the official route here.
Flickr / Doug Kerr
Follow Route 71 down from Middletown as it winds its way through Kent County. Blackbird Creek Preserve 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.
Flickr / Patrick Nouhalier
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 towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland! Enjoy the Eastern Shore a bit before heading back to Delaware.
Flickr / Patrick Nouhailer
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.
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