Best Driving Routes Through the Adirondacks New York 2026

Through The road curves through a tunnel of red and gold maples. A lake appears on your left. Its surface a perfect mirror of the mountains above. You roll down the window and the only sound is the wind and the distant call of a loon.

This is the Adirondacks. Six million acres of wilderness mountains and lakes. It is the largest protected area in the continental United States and it is a road trippers paradise.

Finding the best driving routes through the Adirondacks New York is not about picking the fastest way from point A to point B. It is about the journey. The small towns. The quiet lakes. The views that make you pull over every five minutes.

I have driven these roads countless times exploring the High Peaks the Fulton Chain and the remote corners of the park. Each route offers a different flavor of Adirondack magic. Some are for leaf peepers. Some are for history buffs. One is for the adventurer willing to brave a 23 mile dirt road.

Let me help you choose the right road for your trip.

The Quick Answer

The Adirondack Trail is the classic route through the heart of the park stretching 188 miles north south through central Adirondack Park. It takes about 5 hours of driving time and connects charming towns like Old Forge Blue Mountain Lake and Tupper Lake.

But that is just the start. Here is a quick comparison of your options.

Route	Length	Best For
Adirondack Trail (Route 28/30)	188 miles	Classic Adirondack experience museums lakes
Olympic Trail (Route 3/30)	170 miles	High Peaks Olympic history mountain views
Lakes to Locks Passage	234 miles	History Lake Champlain canals Revolutionary War sites
Route 73 (Keene Valley to Lake Placid)	16 miles	Dramatic mountain views High Peaks photography
Moose River Plains Road	23 miles	Backcountry adventure primitive camping solitude

The Adirondack Trail

Length 188 miles.
Drive Time About 5 hours without stops.
Best For Museums lakes classic Adirondack towns.

Route 28 is the quintessential Adirondack drive. It winds through the central part of the park meandering past pristine lakes deep woods and rustic little towns. The stretch from Forestport to Blue Mountain Lake is particularly unforgettable.

What makes it special. This road sits on a high plateau making towns like Old Forge Inlet and Raquette Lake prime destinations for those who love cool clean air. The scenery is timeless. You will pass the Fulton Chain of Lakes a series of interconnected lakes perfect for canoeing and kayaking.

Do not miss. Adirondack Experience Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. A huge open air museum that sits above the lake. It is the place to go to learn about the history of the Adirondacks. Old Forge. The snowmobile capital of the East but in the fall it is just a pleasant mountain town with good restaurants and shops. The Fulton Chain of Lakes. If you love boating this series of interconnected lakes between Old Forge and Inlet is a must. Big Moose Inn. Located off Route 28 near Eagle Bay this old Adirondack lodge on a cozy wooded lake is the perfect place for a meal.

Pro tip. The stretch of Route 28 near Blue Mountain Lake offers lake views combined with mountain scenery.ain scenery that make it one of those drives where you will need to budget extra time for stops.

The Olympic Trail

Length 170 miles.
Drive Time 5.5 to 6 hours.
Best For Olympic history High Peaks views Lake Placid.

The Olympic Trail travels east and west from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario passing through the High Peaks region. This route is a fantastic gateway to sites for fishing boating biking hiking and whitewater rafting.

What makes it special. The route takes you through the heart of Olympic history. Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. The Olympic Trail Scenic Byway makes it easy for visitors to escape hectic lifestyles and rejuvenate in exhilarating four season land and water sports at authentic Olympic quality locations.

Do not miss. Lake Placid. The home of the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Visit the Olympic Center and the Olympic Jumping Complex. Whiteface Mountain. Take the Veterans Memorial Highway up 2300 feet in just five miles. On a clear day you can see into Vermont and Canada. Saranac Lakes Loop. The three connected Saranac Lakes create a classic Adirondack scene. The loop around them is only about 20 miles total but the views are stunning. Tupper Lake. Located at the intersection of the Adirondack and Olympic Scenic Byways this town is a great base for exploring.

Pro tip. The Olympic Trail passes through some of the parks most remote territory. This is moose country and fall is actually one of the better times to spot them near the roadside wetlands.

The Lakes to Locks Passage

Length 234 miles.
Drive Time Multiple days.
Best For History buffs Revolutionary War sites Lake Champlain.

This 234 mile scenic byway stretches from Waterford at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers to Rouses Point on the Canadian border. It follows a variety of historic trade and transportation routes connecting a series of waterways including Lake George Lake Champlain and the Champlain Canal.

What makes it special. This route is definitely appealing to history buffs and sightseers alike tracing centuries of settlement from early Indigenous pathways to colonial trade routes and 19th century industrial operations. It has been recognized as an All American Road.

Do not miss. Fort Ticonderoga. This restored 18th century fort offers living history demonstrations and stunning views of Lake Champlain. Saratoga National Historical Park. Covers more than 3400 acres of fields forests and trails. The park also features its own interior driving routes. Lake George. The Queen of American Lakes. Route 9 follows its eastern shore for 50 miles of water views mixed with mountain vistas. The Champlain Valley. Rolling farmland dense forests and deep glacial lakes offer unbeatable views.

Pro tip. You can navigate the byway by car or even boat with multiple river and lake launches available. This is more of a multi day exploration than a quick afternoon drive.

The High Peaks Showstopper

Length 16 miles.
Drive Time 30 minutes without stops plan for hours.
Best For Dramatic mountain views photography.

This short stretch between Keene and Lake Placid is hands down one of the most dramatic drives in the entire park. You will wind through Cascade Pass with the High Peaks towering on both sides their rocky summits poking through forests that look like they have been set on fire with color.

What makes it special. The road climbs to about 2000 feet giving you sweeping valley views that make professional photographers weak in the knees.

Do not miss. Cascade Pass. The views of the High Peaks from this pass are breathtaking. Keene Valley. A charming mountain town with hiking access and local shops. Lake Placid. The endpoint of the drive with Olympic history and stunning lake views.

Pro tip. This 16 mile stretch is best done in September or October when the fall colors are at their peak. are at their peak. Be prepared for slow traffic—everyone is stopping for photos.

Moose River Plains Road

Length 23 miles.
Drive Time 1 hour plus 15 mph speed limit.
Best For Solitude primitive camping off the beaten path adventure.

This is not a drive for everyone. Moose River Plains Road is an extremely primitive unpaved road that runs for 23 miles through a 79487 acre state park. It is only open to vehicles from Memorial Day to the close of deer hunting season.

What makes it special. This is the definition of off the beaten path. You will not find many cars here but you will find pristine mountain views and forests so thick it almost does not look real. The Moose River Plains area has more than 116 primitive roadside campsites completely free and on a first come first served basis.

Do not miss. The roadside campgrounds. More than 116 primitive sites are available for free. The brooks and streams. These feed into the Raquette Hudson and South Branch Moose rivers. The backcountry. After 23 miles a backcountry haven appears with river valleys and hills tucked between 3500 foot mountains.

Pro tip. Obey the 15 miles per hour speed limit as the road is unpaved and loose rocks can damage fast moving vehicles. vehicles. No motorcycles or ATVs are allowed. This is a great destination for the rider looking to get away from the crowds and revel in the solitude of rural roads.

When to Drive

Summer. The roads are all open. It is the busiest season. Book accommodations in advance.

Fall September to October. The Adirondacks transform into a painters palette with six million acres of wilderness bursting into shades of amber crimson and gold. The regions unique geography creates a longer foliage season than you might expect with colors starting in the higher elevations and gradually working their way down to the valleys.

Winter. Many roads remain open but Moose River Plains Road closes to vehicles after hunting season. Snowmobile season takes over.

Spring. Mud season. Some unpaved roads are impassable. Stick to paved routes.

Conclusion

The Adirondacks are a gift to road trippers. Six million acres of wilderness mountains and lakes connected by roads that offer some of the best driving in the country.

Each route on this list offers something different. The classic charm of Route 28. The dramatic peaks of Route 73. The backcountry solitude of Moose River Plains. The history of the Lakes to Locks Passage.

Choose the one that speaks to you. Pack a camera. And give yourself time to explore. The Adirondacks are meant to be savored not rushed.

Have you driven through the Adirondacks. Drop your favorite route in the comments. And if this guide helped share it with a friend planning a road trip.

Click For More: Free Astronomy & Stargazing Events in Cherry Springs State Park 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)