7 Great Road Trips to Take in Delaware

Road trips, especially in Delaware, are fun and exciting as they are great ways to witness the state’s charming landscapes in a short time. They also offer an immersion into the cultural, culinary, and historical corridors of the regions along the route. With the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay flanking its eastern boundaries, coupled with a fine mix of nature preserves, wetlands, and regal mansions, a road trip along the byways of Delaware is always blissful. Although some may be short, the memories stick longer, as thrilling breezy drives fuse with magical sights, sounds, and fascinating experiences. From the Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway to the Delaware Bayshore Byway, embark on seven great road trips in The Small Wonder State of Delaware.

Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway

The Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway is a visually fulfilling drive in Delaware encompassing 28 different routes via the Red Clay Valley Creek and its watershed. At 27 miles long, it is relatively short but punches more than its weight in scenic allures and experiences. The jolly and scenic ride courses through Northern New Castle County between Route 48 and 52, bypassing historic sites, towns, gardens, and bridges.

Highlight attractions on the route include Ashland Covered Bridge, Wooddale Covered Bridge, Auburn Heights Preserve, Wilmington and Western Railroad, Mt. Cuba Center, and Ashland Nature Center. The covered bridges are great stops for taking pictures, while historic towns like Hockessin, Greenbank, Ashland, and Yorklyn are great for leisure walks, shopping, and dining. Also, create time to explore the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, one of Delaware’s finest botanical gardens, and the Auburn Valley State Park (Auburn Heights Preserve), home to the world’s largest collection of Stanley Steamers Cars.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway is the most unique of all byways in Delaware as it is soaked in rich, iconic history. This road trip is a tribute to slaves who fought for their freedom and their allies who provided a safe passage for them. Also, Delaware was the last state on the road to freedom via the underground railroad. Hence, the route is historically endowed with many sites, such as meeting houses, depots for runaway African captors, and 13 underground railroad sites.

Other notable stops include Blackbird State Forest, Old State House Museum, First Heritage Park, Brecknock Park, Thomas Garrett Home, and Wildcat Manor. The route is 95 miles on the Delaware section, starting from Willow Grove Road up north to the Pennsylvania border, where it joins the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway on Route 52. Major towns on the byway include Dover, Smyrna, Camden, Wilmington, Odessa, and Middletown. While on the trip, be sure to stop for lunch at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington while enjoying the incredible river views.

Bombay Hook to Trap Pond

This route is unofficial but no less spectacular. It offers travelers the choice to explore in their style and pace across approximately 60 miles. Road trippers can either begin from Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna or from Trap Pond State Park near Laurel. Either way, the experience is the same, and the route incorporates the splendor of two parks: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Trap Pond State Park.

Other scenic natural highlights on the trip include Redden Forest State Park, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Du Point Nature Center, Kitts Hummock Beach, and Little Creek Wildlife Management Area. With three wildlife areas along the route, this drive is ideal for nature enthusiasts seeking a closer look at Delaware’s fauna. Some species you can see on this drive include foxes, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and a host of migratory birds. Towns along the route for lunch and promenades include Milford, Kitts Hummock, Dover (the state capital), and Milton.

Historic Lewes Byway

The Historic Lewes Byway may be the shortest on the list at just 12.35 miles, but this trip promises to be unforgettable. Prepare to relish the maritime allure of historic Lewes through its beaches, the Delaware Bay, and historic sites like Fort Miles in the Cape Henlopen State Park. The byway runs parallel to Delaware Bay for the most part and invites visitors to explore the canal front in Lewes. On the trip, be sure to visit Cape Henlopen State Park to explore a World War II fort, check out the Lightship Overfalls, and tour the Zwaanendael Museum for a full-fledged, exciting experience.

Nanticoke Heritage Byway

The Nanticoke Heritage Byway is a scenic drive that explores the heart of Sussex County, running for nearly 40 miles across roads less traveled but filled with hidden gems. It begins just outside the historic city of Seaford and extends to Trap Pond State Park near Laurel. Overall, the route offers a small taste of the historical, cultural, and natural elegance of the Sussex region as it crosses historic mansions, museums, parks, and along the charming Nanticoke River.

Significant stops on the byway include Ross Mansion (an 1860s Victorian-Italianate mansion), Old Christ Church (built in 1772), Seaford Museum (featuring Nanticoke Indian exhibits and more), and Trap Pond State Park, the final destination. On the trip, travelers will also enjoy crossing the Woodland Ferry over the Nanticoke River. Small towns along the way to stop, explore, enjoy lunch, and relax include Seaford, Woodland, Laurel, Bethel, and Concord.

Brandywine Valley Scenic National Byway

The Brandywine Valley Scenic National Byway is a 12.25-mile picturesque and historic road trip in New Castle County worth experiencing. This route begins from downtown Wilmington and courses through the scenic Brandywine Valley landscape, including an assembly of hotels, gardens, mansions of the Du Pont family, museums, and historic small towns, before ending at the Delaware-Pennsylvania borderline.

Highlights along the route to explore include Nemours Mansion and Gardens, First State National Park, Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Long Wood Gardens, Brandywine Creek State Park, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, and Delaware Art Museum. Meanwhile, there are small historic towns along the way for quick stops, such as Centerville, Greenville, and Montchanin. Interestingly, the byway links to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway on Route 52, and travelers who wish to continue along this route are free to proceed.

Delaware Bayshore Byway

The Delaware Bayshore Byway is, by far, the most popular and one of the longest in the state, riddled with numerous lovely sights and experiences. This two-lane route runs parallel to the Delaware River and Bay as it spoils travelers with enchanting views of one of the largest conserved marshlands on the East Coast. Depending on the traveler's chosen route, the trip stretches for approximately 100 miles, beginning in New Castle and extending to Lewes (passing through the state capital of Dover). It encompasses more than half of the state’s geographical expanse.

With no stopovers, the drive is about three hours, but the stops are the spice of the trip, and travelers can take all the time they want. A critical stop along the route includes the historic town of Odessa for lunch, souvenir shopping, and local sightseeing. Other stops include Flemings Landing, Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, Fort Delaware in Pea Patch Island, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

From the enchanting Brandywine Valley Scenic National Byway to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad that links to it via Route 52, every road trip in Delaware is beyond a drive but a pleasurable experience. Watch as nature comes alive in the dreamy scenery that unfolds like a dynamic wallpaper, and stop to partake in the culinary, historical, and cultural heritages that line up the routes. Encounter small-town charms, scenic beaches, diverse habitats, and wonderful locals willing to serve as human maps, all on the panoramic road trips of the first state.