New Jersey Drives – Scenic Overlooks, Places, and Views

bridge over water with clouds at sunset

We call New Jersey the Garden State because it has a lot of drives that are much more scenic than the NJ Turnpike. In fact, New Jersey has the third largest state parks system in the country and diverse communities of wildlife. Here are some of our auto insurance companies’ favorite destinations and drives that bring you to a variety of historical and natural gems.

  • Northern New Jersey
  • Central New Jersey
  • Southern New Jersey
  • Summer Destinations

In northern New Jersey:

  • Check out the 30-mile stretch of sustainable farming, wineries, and Lake Hopatcong on Route 15 North off of exit 34a on Route 80.
  • If you’re going to be in Newark, start at CR 510 and pick up CR 604 toward the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to experience the transition from urban expansion to leafy suburbs.
  • Closer to Morristown? Head west on Route 24 and CR 510 toward Route 31 South in the fall to see amazing autumn foliage and historic sites, including the Clinton Historic Mill.
  • To reach some great State parks, take a trip through northwest county roads starting at Exit 3 on Interstate 78, heading north on 173 and CR 519 until you reach Interstate 80. Taking CR 521 from Exit 12 on Interstate 80 will put you in the area of Stokes State Forest, Swartswood State Park, High Point State Park (off of Route 23) and access to the Appalachian trail.
  • Don’t miss the historic mining towns of the 1800s by taking Exit 41 on Interstate 287 and heading north on CR 511 toward Ringwood. You can also find other great destinations in this area, including Ringwood State Park, the NJ State Botanical Garden and Longwood Ironworks State Park.
  • Along the Hudson, take the Palisades Interstate Parkways north, starting at Fort Lee, to reach Palisades Interstate Park, Liberty State Park (including the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island) and the Liberty Science Center.

In central New Jersey:

  • Take a tour through the historic towns around our state capital by heading north on Route 29 from Trenton through Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown, and Milford. While you’re in the area, make sure to stop at Washington Crossing State Park, Howell Living History Museum and Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park.
  • Hit the northern New Jersey shore by taking exit 117 on the Parkway to Route 36 through the Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, and Sea Bright. Pick up Route 35, then Route 33 into Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. Along the way, check out the beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and Victorian architecture.
  • Visit Green Sergeant’s Bridge, a covered bridge considered one of New Jersey’s 10 most beautiful places by New Jersey Monthly. The bridge is located near Flemington, NJ on Rosemont-Sergeantsville Road CR (604) about a mile west of Sergeantsville.
  • Experience the North-South axis along CR 527 to spot everything from old-English affluent suburbs to industrial complexes to rural New Jersey in the south. Pick up CR 527 on the northern end in Cedar Grove, Essex at North Mountain Ave. off CR 604 and Route 23.

In southern New Jersey:

Summer destinations:

Call 855-993-4470, get your free quote online or find a local agent to learn more about auto insurance from Plymouth Rock Assurance.