Vermont Route 100
Encyclopedia
Vermont Route 100 is a north–south state highway
in Vermont
, United States
. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is 216.59 miles (349 km) long. Route 100 is the longest Vermont state highway, the longest north-south route in Vermont, and the longest numbered highway in Vermont of any type.
state line in Stamford
, where it continues south as Route 8. Its northern terminus is at VT 105
in the town of Newport
, which lies on the Canadian border. VT 100 passes along the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest
for much of its length and also passes through the Mad River Valley
. It runs parallel to, and lies between, U.S. Route 7
to the west and U.S. Route 5
to the east.
The road is the main thoroughfare for some of Vermont's most well-known resort towns, including Wilmington
, Ludlow
, Killington
, Warren
, and Stowe
. As such, many of Vermont's ski resorts are located either directly on, or in proximity to, Route 100; these include Mount Snow
, Killington
, Sugarbush
, Mad River Glen
, Stowe Mountain Resort
and Jay Peak.
Route 100 is a popular tourist route during the fall (for foliage) and winter (for skiing), and can be heavily trafficked during those seasons. Despite this, the road retains a rural feel through most of the towns it traverses and is relatively free of development, except for some of the areas around the ski resorts. The most populous town through which Route 100 passes is Morristown
, with a population of just over 5,100.
Several of the most heavily traveled sections of Route 100 (such as the section between Waterbury and Stowe and Warren to Waitsfield) are currently (October 2011) in very poor condition due to state and local road maintenance budget shortfalls, recent harsh winters and heavy damage by Tropical Storm Irene
. Motorcycles in particular should take extra precautions.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is 216.59 miles (349 km) long. Route 100 is the longest Vermont state highway, the longest north-south route in Vermont, and the longest numbered highway in Vermont of any type.
Route description
The southern terminus of the route is at the MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state line in Stamford
Stamford, Vermont
Stamford is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 813 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stamford is located near the southwestern corner of Vermont, on the Massachusetts state line. To the south of Stamford lie Clarksburg, Massachusetts and Florida, Massachusetts...
, where it continues south as Route 8. Its northern terminus is at VT 105
Vermont Route 105
Vermont Route 105 is a state highway located in northern Vermont, United States. The route runs from U.S. Route 7 in the city of St. Albans in the west to the New Hampshire state line in Bloomfield in the east. The road continues across the state line as Bridge Street, a short unnumbered New...
in the town of Newport
Newport (town), Vermont
Newport is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,511 at the 2000 census. The town is referred to by the United States Postal Service and the media as Newport Center, the name of the main settlement of the town.-Town:...
, which lies on the Canadian border. VT 100 passes along the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermontwhich supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species. The forest has been referred to as the 'granite backbone' of the state...
for much of its length and also passes through the Mad River Valley
Mad River (Vermont)
The Mad River is a tributary to the Winooski River in Vermont. It has its headwaters in Granville Gulf, then flows north through the towns of Warren, Waitsfield, and Moretown before entering the Winooski River just downstream from Middlesex. Other towns within the Mad River watershed are the...
. It runs parallel to, and lies between, U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
to the west and U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5 is a north–south United States highway running through the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Significant cities along the route include New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts. From Hartford northward to St...
to the east.
The road is the main thoroughfare for some of Vermont's most well-known resort towns, including Wilmington
Wilmington, Vermont
Wilmington is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,225 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was chartered in 1751 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was named in honor of Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington...
, Ludlow
Ludlow, Vermont
Ludlow, Vermont may refer to:*Ludlow , Vermont*Ludlow , Vermont...
, Killington
Killington, Vermont
Killington is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 811 at the 2010 census. Killington Ski Resort is located here....
, Warren
Warren, Vermont
Warren is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,681 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Vermont is located in Warren. It is set between the two ranges of the Green Mountains, with approximately 25% of the town under Green Mountain National Forest...
, and Stowe
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
. As such, many of Vermont's ski resorts are located either directly on, or in proximity to, Route 100; these include Mount Snow
Mount Snow
Mount Snow is a mountain and ski area in southern Vermont located in the Green Mountains. It is Vermont's closest big mountain to many Northeast metropolitan areas. It was cohost of the first Extreme Games in 1995 and host of the Winter X-Games in 2000 and 2001...
, Killington
Killington Ski Resort
Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area is a ski resort near Killington, Vermont. It is the largest ski area in the Eastern United States, and has the largest vertical in New England as well at 3050 feet.-History:In 1954, Perry H...
, Sugarbush
Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush Resort is a ski resort located in the Mad River Valley in Warren, Vermont. It is one of the largest ski resorts in New England. The resort encompasses more than 4000 acres total, 578 acres skiable, 53 miles of trails, and 16 ski lifts...
, Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen is a ski area in Fayston, Vermont. Its terrain has been ranked by SKI magazine as the most challenging on the east coast of the United States. Located within the Green Mountain range, it sits in the Mad River Valley, close to the larger Sugarbush Resort...
, Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort near the town of Stowe in northern Vermont, comprising two separate mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. The vertical drop from Mount Mansfield of is the fifth largest in New England and the fourth largest in Vermont. The resort is primarily owned by...
and Jay Peak.
Route 100 is a popular tourist route during the fall (for foliage) and winter (for skiing), and can be heavily trafficked during those seasons. Despite this, the road retains a rural feel through most of the towns it traverses and is relatively free of development, except for some of the areas around the ski resorts. The most populous town through which Route 100 passes is Morristown
Morristown, Vermont
Morristown is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.6 square miles , of which 51.3 square miles is land and 0.3 square mile is...
, with a population of just over 5,100.
Several of the most heavily traveled sections of Route 100 (such as the section between Waterbury and Stowe and Warren to Waitsfield) are currently (October 2011) in very poor condition due to state and local road maintenance budget shortfalls, recent harsh winters and heavy damage by Tropical Storm Irene
Hurricane Irene (2011)
Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
. Motorcycles in particular should take extra precautions.
Major intersections
Related routes
VT 100A (6.971 miles (11.2 km)) is a spur connecting VT 100 to U.S. Route 4 in the villageVillage (Vermont)In the U.S. state of Vermont, villages are named communities located within the boundaries of an incorporated town. Villages may be incorporated or unincorporated....
of Bridgewater within the town of the same nameBridgewater, VermontBridgewater is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 980 at the 2000 census. Bridgewater contains the hamlets of Bridgewater Village, Bridgewater Corners, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater Center...
.
VT 100B (7.922 miles (12.7 km)) is a spur connecting VT 100 to U.S. Route 2 in the villageVillage (Vermont)In the U.S. state of Vermont, villages are named communities located within the boundaries of an incorporated town. Villages may be incorporated or unincorporated....
of Middlesex within the town of the same nameMiddlesex, VermontMiddlesex is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,729 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.9 square miles , of which, 39.7 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of...
.
VT 100CVermont Route 100CVermont Route 100C is a short state highway in northern Vermont, United States. It is a spur of VT 100 and extends from VT 15 in the village of Johnson to VT 100 in the town of Hyde Park.-Route description:...
(4.595 miles (7.4 km)) is a spur connecting VT 100 to VT 15Vermont Route 15Vermont Route 15 is an east–west state highway in northern Vermont, United States. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 7 in Winooski and its eastern terminus is at US 2 in Danville. It runs for and is known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.Its numbering originates from...
in the village of JohnsonJohnson (village), VermontJohnson is a village in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,420 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles , all land....
.