New York State Road Trip Itinerary

The Complete Guide (2026)

New York City is magnificent — but the state that surrounds it is one of the great undiscovered road trip destinations in North America. From the Catskill Mountains to the Finger Lakes wine country, from the Erie Canal towns to the Adirondacks, New York State rewards the traveller who leaves the city.

Inside the guide: five real routes, each with distances, best stops, and when to go — plus the practical information you need to plan the trip properly. Free, printable PDF.

What’s inside

• Route 1: The Hudson Valley Drive
• Route 2: The Catskills Mountain Loop
• Route 3: The Finger Lakes Wine Trail
• Route 4: The Adirondacks — Lake Placid Loop
• Route 5: The Thousand Islands Seaway
• Practical information: when to go, how long to allow, what to pack