5 Weekend Road Trips Under 5 Hours From NYC

My favorite trip is a road trip, but I have my limit on how much time I can spend in a car without losing my mind. Living right near New York City, I’m familiar with how frustrating traffic can get, especially when you’re trying to get out of town. (Hopefully, gas prices will start going down before I have to start driving this summer.) Luckily, there are so many great spots within a five-hour drive radius that make the headache of stop-and-starts so worth it. Here are five trips within a day’s drive from New York City that I would recommend bumping up on your list this summer.

The Adirondacks (4 to 5 hours from NYC)

My whole heart can be found in the six million acres of the Adirondack Park in Upstate New York. Fun Fact: The Adirondacks are the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous US and the largest state park in the country. I grew up visiting the Gore Mountain area with my family in the fall, which turned into summer lake trips, which turned into girls’ weekends in Lake Placid.

Whether there’s snow on the ground or sun beaming through the trees, I love hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. Famously, there are the 46 High Peaks, a set of 46 mountains that all exceed 4,000 feet. (I have now hiked three of those peaks. Not-so-humble brag.) While these hikes can challenge even the most expert hikers, there are plenty of other less strenuous trails that allow hikers to enjoy all the beauty the nature of the ADKs has to offer. I’m still working on the Adirondack Fire Tower hiking challenge, which requires completing several hikes in both the Adirondacks and the Catskills.

After a long hike during the summer, I love going straight from the trail to the lake. I truly believe all my problems can be solved by baptizing myself in a lake. For my fellow lake swimmers, there are over 3,000 lakes and ponds to choose from in the Adirondacks, as well as 30,000 miles of rivers and streams. Bonus if you can cruise along these bodies of water in a boat/kayak/canoe.

On top of all the amazing outdoor activities, there are plenty of great restaurants, breweries, bars, and little shops to frequent during your trip.

My favorite spots to visit in the Adirondack Park:

• Lake George (3.5 hours)
• North Creek (4 hours)
• Schroon Lake (4 hours)
• Lake Placid (5 hours)

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The Catskills (2 to 3 hours from NYC)

Just south of the Adirondacks are the Catskill Mountains. This part of Upstate New York is made up of over 700,000 acres of protected wilderness and mixed public and private lands.

There are plenty of hiking opportunities here, with over 98 peaks in the region. I’ve successfully summited Mt. Tremper, Overlook, and Hunter mountains and still have other peaks on my list to conquer.

My favorite place to stop after a good hike is Woodstock, NY. This groovy town is known for hosting the iconic music festival in 1969 and continues to be a haven for hippies today. There is still so much art and music flowing through the little town, as well as great food and drinks.

Not feeling super outdoorsy and want to leave the hiking boots at home? Good thing there are a ton of spas throughout the Catskills area that provide full-service spa treatments, massage therapies, and skincare services. Next time I go up to the Catskills, I’m choosing glamping over camping.

My favorite spots to visit in the Catskills:

• Woodstock (2 hours)
• Phoenica (2 hours)
• Hunter (2 hours)

Shenandoah National Park (4 to 5 hours from NYC)

A national park has entered the chat. Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park has become a new favorite of mine after a fun spring hiking weekend. It’s part of Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has over 500 miles of hiking trails. Some trails even feature some pretty waterfalls. It’s well known for its 105-mile Skyline Drive. It has over 75 scenic overlooks and serves as the main drag in the park, connecting campgrounds and other park facilities.

Because I am a crazy person who needs to complete a challenging hike to call a trip a success, my boyfriend and I conquered Old Rag Mountain. It’s a 9.3-mile loop with a nearly 2,600-foot elevation gain. Make sure to bring extra water with you if you plan on hiking this trail, and start the loop clockwise. There is an insane rock scramble (at least, insane for my hiking abilities) about 3 miles in towards the peak. It truly tested my love for hiking, and I am so proud of myself for being able to pull myself up and over those boulders at the top of Old Rag. Thankfully, the descent was pretty gradual and easier on the knees.

While visiting Shenandoah, we stayed in Front Royal, right outside the north entrance to the park. It’s a cute little southern farm town with an adorable main street that has plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and bars.

Great spots to stay in and near Shenandoah National Park:

• Skyland Lodge (5 hours)
• Front Royal (5 hours)
• Luray (5 hours)

Mystic, CT (2.5 hours from NYC)

If a New England summer is calling your name, but you don’t feel like sitting in that traffic crossing the bridge to Cape Cod, I recommend a short drive to Mystic. I’ve been watching a lot of Widow’s Bay on Apple TV lately, which is only fueling my desire to have a misty New England weekend.

Mystic is a historic seaside village located right along the Mystic River that was settled in 1654. While it’s not too far of a drive, there’s also an Amtrak train that can take you from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station to Mystic in about 3 hours. If you go this route, make sure to get a window seat to take in all the pretty views as you travel north.

There are tons of great seafood spots, since you are right on the water in Mystic. There’s also Mystic Pizza, a cute little pizza joint that inspired the 1988 movie of the same name. My family’s favorite is the Sea View Snack Bar, since it’s quick to get to and has plenty of fried food.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Choose from boat tours, small cruises, kayaks, and paddleboard rentals to explore the Mystic River.

My favorite spots in Mystic:

• Sea View Shack (cute views and yummy food)
• Mystic Aquarium (family-friendly fun)
• Mystic Seaport Museum (historic family-friendly fun)

The Jersey Shore (1-3 hours from NYC)

If a Jersey Girl is writing about trips you can take from NYC, obviously, the Shore had to make the list! There are dozens of amazing beach towns to visit for the day, for the weekend, or for an entire week during the summer. Reminder: New Jersey beaches typically require beach-goers to buy a pass to access the beach. Don’t be surprised if someone stops you before you step off the boardwalk!

There are plenty of lovely restaurants and coffee shops to stay fueled and caffeinated on and off the beach. Nightlife is only getting more popular, with plenty of people posting about long lines at The Parker House, Jenks, and DJais. If you know, you know.

Erin’s Beach Tips: Wear sunscreen. Bring a comfy chair and an umbrella if you can. If you must bring a speaker, be mindful of the volume so you don’t bother other people chilling on the beach. They might not have the same music taste as you. Swim near the lifeguards and listen to the lifeguards. Have fun 🙂

My favorite Jersey Shore towns:

• Asbury Park (1 hour)
• Sea Girt (1 hour)
• Point Pleasant (1 hour)
• Beach Haven (2 hours)

Now I want to plan a trip for this weekend and get in the car. Did your favorite spot make the list? Any new spots you never thought about visiting? Let me know in the comments!