Delaware Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Does the idea of hitting the road and exploring the state sound thrilling to you? If you’re in the mood for an adventure, there’s nothing quite like jumping in the car and heading to some new-to-you places, or even places you’ve been to before but want to revisit and explore again. If you need some Delaware road trip ideas, we’re here to help. Here are some of the best road trips in Delaware you can take:

1-Day Road Trip In Delaware

delawarebayshorebyway.org

• Route: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Little Creek Wildlife Area > Kitts Hummock > DuPont Nature Center > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Redden State Forest > Trap Pond State Park
• Distance: 92.7 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 17 minutes

This scenic Delaware road trip packs in quite a bit of beauty in just 90 miles. You'll stop at wildlife refuges, gorgeous beaches, and a state forest. What better way to see the variety of ecosystems in the state?

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Delaware

mdgmorris/E+ via Getty Images

• Route: New Castle > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Dover > Cape Henlopen State Park > Lewes
• Distance: 97 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours

How about exploring some small towns plus the state's capital on an awesome long weekend road trip through Delaware? While you'll cover less than 100 miles, over the course of three days, you'll have plenty of time at each stop. This is easily one of the best road trips in Delaware.

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Delaware Roadside Attractions Road Trip

Tom Hart/Flickr

• Route: Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church > Dover Motor Speedway > Old Mill Crab House > The Lewes Maritime Museum at the Cannonball House > Futuro House > Dogfish Head Craft Brewery > Meding's Seafood
• Distance: 168 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 43 minutes

Want to see the quirkier side of Delaware? Then this road trip is for you! This Delaware road trip itinerary has stops at some of the strangest, most fascinating hidden and not-so-hidden gems around the state. And it's one that's fun for the whole family!

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Seven Wonders Of Delaware Road Trip

Kevin Fleming/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

• Route: Winterthur > New Castle County Courthouse > Chalybeate Spring > Fort Delaware > Trap Pond State Park > Indian River Inlet > Cape Henlopen
• Distance: 168 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 43 minutes

Whether you want to see natural or man-made wonders, there are both on this Delaware road trip itinerary. From the stunning, fairytale-like Winterthur to Fort Delaware, Cape Henlopen, and more, this is one adventure you won't soon forget!

Best Delaware Road Trip For Spring

Bob Mical/Flickr

• Route: Lucky's Coffee Shop > Winterthur > Riverfront Market > Woodland Beach > Wheelhouse
• Distance: 111 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 46 minutes

Spring is the perfect time to take a road trip, and you can take this Delaware road trip itinerary for some wonderful stops. You'll start out at Lucky's Coffee Shop in Wilmington, DE to fill up on caffeine and breakfast before heading to the fairy tale destination of Winterthur in Brandywine Valley. Then pick out some produce at Riverfront Market before checking out Woodland Beach. Your trip will end with a wonderful seafood dinner in Lewes. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful springtime adventure?

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Best Summer Road Trip In Delaware

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• Route: Herring Point > Rehoboth Beach > Dewey Beach > Lewes > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge >
• Distance: 51.8 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

What better idea for a summer Delaware road trip than visiting several beaches and beach towns in one trip? When beach season is upon us, it's imperative to hang out on a gorgeous sandy beach, play in the surf, and take in the sunshine. Also, beach towns like Rehoboth are also great places to explore. (Rehoboth Beach also has a boardwalk you can spend some time on.) Find a delicious seafood restaurant, buy some souvenirs, and grab some ice cream, too!

Best Delaware Road Trip For Fall

zizzybaloobah/Flickr

• Route: Trap Pond State Park > Killens Pond State Park > The Green > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Lums Pond State Park > Newark > Mt. Cuba Center > Winterthur
• Distance: 121 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours

From September to November, fall in Delaware appears like a fireworks show on the trees of our state parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Even the major cities turn a beautiful shade of amber and orange, and it's one of the best times to tour the Diamond State. This fall road trip in Delaware will be the best scenic drive you can take!

Best Winter Road Trip In Delaware

Kevin/Flickr

• Route: Wilmington > Hockessin > New Castle >Townsend > Odessa > Milford > Cape Henlopen State Park > Rehoboth Beach
• Distance: 132 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours

During the holiday season, it's practically a requirement to check out some of the most unbelievable light displays in the state! From small towns with quaint, lit shopping districts to Santa's very own house, these light stops will surely brighten your holiday season. This Delaware holiday lights road trip will put you in the spirit of the season.

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Family-Friendly Delaware Road Trip

Qun Li/Google Local

• Route: Winterthur > Hagley Museum > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Bowers Beach Maritime Museum > Abbott's Mill Nature Center > Cape Henlopen State Park
• Distance: 120 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 26 minutes

Have you ever wanted to discover some of the most magical places around the First State? If so, you should consider taking the fairy tale road trip through Delaware. This trip will keep the entire family enchanted along the way and create memories your children will cherish. Don't be surprised when you consider this one of the best road trips in Delaware.

Road Trip to Delaware Landmarks & Natural Wonders

Delaware State Parks/Facebook

• Route: Alapocas Run State Park > White Clay Creek State Park > Woodland Beach > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Cape Henlopen State Park > Trap Pond State Park > Killens Pond State Park > Augustine Wildlife Area > Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge
• Distance: 261 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hours 41 minutes

Starting at Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, DE, this road trip is full of natural wonders around the state. If there's one must-do road trip in Delaware it's certainly this one as you'll get to see some of the most beautiful spots on the east coast.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Delaware

Smallbones/Wikimedia Commons

• Route: Claymont > Hockessin > Odessa > Wyoming > Riverview > Milford > Seaford > Millsboro > Selbyville
• Distance: 152 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours

Delaware's small towns are lively and charming, with a sense of community that really resonates with all of those who visit. Check out some of the tiniest towns in the state during the spring on this Delaware road trip, and enjoy all of the friendly faces (and delicious restaurants) that these little towns proudly show off.

So, which Delaware road trip adventure resonates with you the most? What are some of your favorite places to visit in the state? What do you consider to be the best road trips in Delaware? Tell us in the comments!

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.