If you've never driven the Catskills in autumn, you've been leaving one of the Northeast's greatest road trips on the table. Just two and a half hours north of South Jersey, this Hudson Valley escape trades the Garden State Parkway for switchback roads wrapped in fire-orange foliage and river mist. And it's all better with a comfortable rental.

Why the Catskills?

The Catskills hit a rare sweet spot: close enough for a Friday afternoon departure, remote enough to feel genuinely away. Rolling mountain terrain, charming small towns, and a thriving farm-to-table food scene have quietly made this one of New York's most sought-after weekend destinations.

For drivers, the roads are the attraction. Routes like NY-23A through the Kaaterskill Clove are the kind of drives people talk about for years — hairpin turns, waterfalls visible from the car window, and valleys that seem impossibly green or impossibly orange depending on the season.

The Route

  • Start: Cross the George Washington Bridge or take the NJ Turnpike to I-87 North
  • First stop: Woodstock, NY — the cultural heart of the Catskills
  • Scenic drive: NY-28 through Phoenicia to NY-23A
  • End: Hudson, NY — for farm dining and a night's stay
  • Return: Taconic State Parkway south — one of America's most scenic highways

Must-Stop Towns

Woodstock

More than a music legend, Woodstock is a living, breathing arts town. Gallery-hop on Tinker Street, grab a cortado at the Center for Photography café, and browse the independent bookshops before heading into the mountains.

Phoenicia

A tiny river town that punches well above its weight. The Phoenicia Diner is iconic — the kind of place where the pancakes alone justify the drive. Phoenicia sits at the foot of the Catskill High Peaks, making it perfect base camp for a hike or a lazy afternoon on the Esopus Creek.

Hudson

End your trip in Hudson — one of the most surprisingly sophisticated small cities on the East Coast. Warren Street is lined with antique dealers, farm-to-table restaurants, and cocktail bars that could hold their own in Brooklyn. Book a table at Wm. Farmer and Sons for dinner and thank yourself in the morning.

Best Vehicle for This Trip

The mountain roads of the Catskills are well-paved but occasionally steep and narrow. A compact SUV or crossover from our Avis fleet handles the terrain beautifully while offering enough trunk room for fall weekend gear. If you're bringing bikes or kayaks, step up to an SUV with a roof rack option.