The Promise of the Open Road – NJ’s most gorgeous drives

2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year, and we’re not even halfway through, the world is still in the clutches of Coronavirus. A new type of virus that is extremely contagious and spreads like wildfire. With this new world order in place, everything that we knew has shifted, and the world as it existed before has ceased to exist.

Cities and countries all over the globe are in indefinite lockdown. And while individual states have removed lockdowns, a significant portion of the world’s population is still confined to their homes. The confinement in houses is to curb the spread of COVID-19 and prevent more diseases from spreading. More and more jobs are being shifted online, with some even considering “work from home” as the new normal.

As more people adjust to this new form of life, new hobbies and interests are coming up. Many love the break from their corporate nine to five jobs and appreciate the time they spend with their loved ones while others are frustrated about being trapped in their homes and looking for ways to escape.

Utilizing public transport is now being reconsidered. Many have opted for private modes of transport as there are fewer chances of the disease spreading in this manner. For travelers, this time has been especially grueling because they’ve been unable to satisfy their wanderlust.

Many travelers are opting for vans and cars to carry them new places with public modes of transport out of the question for an indefinite amount of time.

New Jersey’s Most Gorgeous Drives 

New Jersey is blessed with some fantastic stretches of road. If you live in NJ and have been dying to get out of your home, now is your chance.

A drive might be the escape you need to snap out of the quarantine life. Here are some of New Jersey’s Most Gorgeous Drives:

1. Route 519 

Route 519 is the most scenic road you’ll ever find in New Jersey, starting from the top of the state to Rosemount, the highway takes you through a New Jersey you probably didn’t know existed. The towns you pass on this route are pretty memorable—Harmony, Plumsock, Alpha, and Beemerville.

2. Route 542

This route starts in New Gretna and ends in Hammonton. They always say the journey is better than the destination. However, for Route 542, I’d say the destination is most definitely better than the journey. Hammonton is a quiet area in New Jersey where one can get in touch with nature. Moreover, along the route, you’ll come across Batsto village. Batsto Village is a historical site where evidence shows land use dating back several thousand years.

3. Old Mine Road 

Another historically rich route, the old mine road, was used by 17th-century Dutch travelers to travel between New Jersey and New York. This road is also one of the oldest routes in the country. This route stretches over 100 miles from Delaware to New York’s Kingston. So next time, you’re going to NY, take the road the dutch-travelers used.

4. Ocean Drive 

If you love the sea, then this drive should be on your list. From Ocean City to North wildwood, the 20-mile trek offers beaches, bay, and the open ocean views. Take the scenic route by skipping route 9 and Parkway, you’ll be blessed. You can even take a detour and make a stop at Corson’s State Park. Corson’s State Park offers some secluded beaches and a picture-perfect landscape.

5. Henry Hudson Drive 

The Henry Hudson Drive runs along the Palisades—from Fort Lee to Alpine. The drive takes you right alongside Hudson at the very base of the cliffs. From here, one can even see NYC, and the views are scenic. If you’re looking for stops on this route, you should stop at the Fort Lee Museum & the Historical Park, Alpine Boat Basin.

6. State Route 49 

Route 49 offers beautiful views of the Delaware River and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Driving through this route at night is a unique experience. The lights adorning the Delaware bridge reflect in the Delaware River and make it seem like the galaxy has descended upon Earth. The Delaware bridge connects NJ to Delaware. If you prefer a more private route, you can detour the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. It features wetlands, marshes, and grasslands.

7. Route 521 

Route 521 stretches about 43 miles from Montague to Hope. Some parts of this route lie parallel to the military road. These parts provide a clear view of the fortifications that line Delaware River. The barricades are a reminder of the wars fought between the local native Indians and the French. Many period-specific homes are also present in some areas of the route. This route takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of NJ.

8. Make Believe Highway 

The make-believe highway is nothing like NJ and you might even refuse to accept it as a part of NJ. Quaint towns and picturesque mountains surround this 89-mile long drive. Sights that make you forget the densely populated NJ. It’s like a travel through time when people were much more straightforward and had smaller desires.

New Jersey is generally known for its traffic jams, densely populated areas, and a very industrialized corporate world. However, many roads retain the charm of NJ’s past. So why are you still reading this article? Get in your car and go on a drive!

 

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