Help with driving in Southern Vermont
 

Message: We will drive this weekend to Stratton from Williamstown, MA for fall foliage. Road suggestion is to take rout 7 North to Manchester, then rt 30 to Bondville. Are rt 7 from Bennington to Manchester and rt 30 provide nice view or should we take rt 7 to Bennington, then rt 9 and rt 100 instead which is longer?
We also can take this way on the way home to NJ
Thanks
Mariya

Route 7A between Bennington and Manchester is considered the scenic view. Lots of small shops along the way, and you go through the village of Arlington. Route 7 is more of a highway. Route 7 is of course quicker.

You really can't go wrong with any route(s) in Vermont during foliage season.

The most direct route would be east on Route 2 from Williamstown to Route 8 just past North Adams, which becomes Route 100 in Vermont. That section of Route 2 is the most scenic part of the Mohawk Trail and includes "hairpin turn", which is breathtaking. Then, you'd travel east on Route 9 for a while before picking up Route 100 again in Wilmington. However, about 4 miles east of the intersection of Routes 100/9 is Hogback Mountain, definitely worth the detour for the spectacular views.

On the other hand, going via Route 7 is very scenic as well, and Bennington is a charming town to explore/shop/have lunch. Bondville is quite out of the way, but Arlington, along the way, is also a wonderful town to visit.

My recommendation would be to take one route going and another returning.

Although 7 is more the highway than 7A, I much prefer 7 for the long views. 7A is set lower and the distant views of the surrounding mountains is more hidden by trees overhanging the road. Pretty route too, but if you enjoy long vistas, 7 is the better choice, IMHO. It is lovely between Bennington and Manchester looking ahead toward Equinox and down into valleys on the west side of the road.

Thanks a lot