Mount Equinox Skyline Drive

Mount Equinox’s Skyline Drive is Vermont’s only mountain toll road, a steep 5.2-mile climb gaining 2,800 feet to reach the state’s highest automotive summit at 3,848 feet. Built in 1947 by Dr. Joseph Davidson, this privately maintained gravel road features 13% grades, sharp switchbacks, and spectacular drop-offs as it winds through mixed hardwood and spruce forests above Manchester. The summit offers 360-degree views stretching from New Hampshire’s White Mountains to New York’s Adirondacks, with the Battenkill Valley spread out below.

Moderate difficulty due to steep grades and loose gravel — any vehicle can make it, but low-clearance cars should take it slow on the rockier upper sections. Open May through October, weather permitting, with a toll booth at the base collecting $15 per vehicle. No camping allowed on the private property, but the summit features picnic areas and hiking trails. This is classic New England mountain driving — challenging enough to be rewarding but accessible to most vehicles, with views that justify the toll and the white-knuckle moments on the steeper sections.