You do not have to travel far from New York City before crowded avenues give way to river views, wooded parkways and quieter country roads. Some of the best drives start within the city itself, while others lead into Westchester, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
You can use your own car or rent a luxury car in NYC to make these drives easier to plan. Having your own vehicle means you can leave when you want, stop along the way and turn a short scenic route into a full day outside Manhattan.
The routes below are different from the obvious interstate runs. Some were deliberately designed as scenic parkways, while others connect historic towns, river landscapes and countryside within easy reach of New York.
Best Scenic Drives From NYC
These drives range from a short run along the Hudson to longer routes into the Hudson Highlands. You can do the first few in part of a day, while Route 9W and Storm King are better when you have more time to explore.
Henry Hudson Parkway Through Upper Manhattan
The first drive begins before you even leave New York City.
Henry Hudson Parkway follows the west side of Manhattan, running beside the Hudson River before continuing north towards the Bronx. The route feels very different from driving through Midtown, with parks, trees and stretches of river replacing the usual rows of buildings.
Start around West 72nd Street and head north. Riverside Park sits between parts of the road and the Hudson, while Fort Tryon Park gives you a good reason to leave the car for a while farther uptown.
The parkway also has historical importance. It was built as part of a wider effort to combine transportation with parks and landscaped public spaces, and much of the route still reflects that original design.
Go early on a weekend if you can. The scenery is much easier to appreciate before traffic builds.
Bronx River Parkway to Kensico Dam
The Bronx River Parkway gives you one of the easiest transitions from the city into Westchester County.
Once you head north beyond the Bronx, the road begins following the Bronx River through wooded areas and parkland. It is one of the oldest parkways in the United States and was designed as both a transportation route and part of a larger landscape project.
Continue towards Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The dam itself makes a worthwhile final stop, particularly if you want to stretch your legs before heading back towards New York.
This route works well when you only have half a day. You can spend some time at Kensico Dam, stop somewhere in Westchester for lunch and still return to Manhattan before evening.
If you are staying in the city for longer, there is plenty worth exploring before heading farther out. Travel Thru History’s guide to hidden places in NYC includes historic locations such as Fraunces Tavern, The Cloisters and some less obvious corners of the city.
Meadowbrook and Loop Parkways to Point Lookout
Long Island gives you a different landscape altogether.
Take the Meadowbrook State Parkway south from central Long Island towards the coast. As you get closer to the water, development gives way to wider views across bays and marshland.
Instead of continuing east along Ocean Parkway, turn towards Loop Parkway and follow it towards Point Lookout. This keeps the route distinct from the more familiar Jones Beach-to-Captree drive while still giving you access to Long Island’s barrier-island scenery.
Point Lookout is a good place to stop before turning back. You can walk near the water, have lunch or simply take some time away from the busier parts of Long Island.
Summer weekends can get crowded, so an early departure is worth the effort. Spring and early fall are often better if the drive matters more to you than spending the day on the beach.
Route 9W From Nyack Into the Hudson Valley
Route 9W gives you a proper road trip without requiring several days away from New York.
Start around Nyack on the west side of the Hudson and head north. The road passes through a mix of river towns, wooded sections and areas with views towards the Hudson Highlands.
Nyack itself is worth some time before you continue. The town was the birthplace of American painter Edward Hopper, and his childhood home is now the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center.
Farther north, you can continue towards the West Point area, Storm King or even Kingston if you want to make a full day of it. There is no need to drive the entire route, though. Pick one or two stops and leave enough time for detours.
The wider Hudson Valley has deep connections to American literature too. Travel Thru History’s article on following Washington Irving through the Catskills is worth reading if you want to extend the journey into the landscapes associated with Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Storm King Highway Along the Hudson
Storm King Highway is short compared with the other routes, but it delivers some of the biggest views.
New York Route 218 leaves Route 9W around Highland Falls and follows the side of Storm King Mountain towards Cornwall-on-Hudson. Parts of the road sit high above the river, with views across the Hudson Highlands.
This is not a route you need to rush through. Stop at designated pullouts where possible and give yourself time to take in the river rather than treating the road simply as a shortcut.
You can combine the drive with West Point, Storm King Art Center or other stops in the Hudson Valley. That makes more sense than driving north from NYC solely to cover a relatively short section of road.
Check current road conditions before leaving, particularly after severe weather. Cliffside roads can occasionally be affected by closures or maintenance.
Route 22 Through Bedford and Katonah
Route 22 offers a quieter alternative to the better-known parkways north of New York City.
Head into northern Westchester and work your way through Bedford and Katonah. This part of the route passes woodland, estates and stretches of countryside that feel much farther from Manhattan than the distance suggests.
Bedford is a good place to stop for coffee or lunch before continuing north. Nearby, the John Jay Homestead State Historic Site preserves the home and estate of one of America’s Founding Fathers and the country’s first Chief Justice.
The road is not dramatic in the same way as Storm King Highway. Its appeal is the slower pace, historic communities and the gradual shift from suburban Westchester into more rural surroundings.
This is a good option when you want a relaxed drive rather than a long itinerary. Give yourself time to stop in Bedford, Katonah or one of the smaller places along the way.
Planning a Scenic Drive From NYC
Choose the route based on how much time you actually have. Henry Hudson Parkway and the Bronx River Parkway can fit into a shorter day, while Route 9W and Storm King are better when you can spend several hours outside the city.
Traffic can make a bigger difference than distance. Leaving early on weekends is usually worth it, particularly during summer and fall foliage season.
And do not plan every stop before you leave. These drives are better when there is enough room to pull over for a view, explore a town you had not planned on visiting or stay longer somewhere that turns out to be more interesting than expected.
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