Scenic Drives in Rhode Island
Routes
10
Avg Distance
31 mi
Avg Drive
44m
Destinations
8
Rhode Island has 10 routes that score 7 or higher on our drive quality scale — roads where the scenery and terrain actually make the drive worth doing. Average distance: 31 miles.
Planning Tips
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 10 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.
Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.
Top Scenic Routes
Foster, RI → Newport, RI
46.5 mi
1h 2m
Score: 8/10
Newport, RI → Foster, RI
46.2 mi
1h 5m
Score: 7/10
Foster, RI → Kingston, RI
41.9 mi
56m
Score: 8/10
Portsmouth, RI → Smithfield, RI
34.2 mi
52m
Score: 7/10
Bristol, RI → Woonsocket, RI
31.6 mi
44m
Score: 8/10
Narragansett, RI → Providence, RI
30.9 mi
43m
Score: 8/10
Exeter, RI → Smithfield, RI
28.4 mi
39m
Score: 8/10
Bristol, RI → Providence, RI
16.8 mi
27m
Score: 8/10
Valley Falls, RI → Warwick, RI
16.7 mi
29m
Score: 8/10
West Warwick, RI → East Providence, RI
14.2 mi
21m
Score: 8/10