Rehoboth Beach to Woodstock: A Scenic Road Trip Guide

The 340-mile drive from Rehoboth Beach, DE to Woodstock, NY spans five hours and traverses four states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. This route, combining US-13, I-95, and the New York State Thruway (I-87), carries you from sea-level beach town to a hamlet nestled in the Catskills at an elevation of 1,312 feet. A curious detail: the highest point on this drive is the Bear Mountain Bridge crossing the Hudson River, where the elevation reaches about 140 feet, not the final destination—a reminder that the real ascent is cultural and scenic.

• Total distance: ~340 miles (547 km)
• Driving time: 5 hours without stops; plan 7-9 hours with breaks
• Key highways: US-113 (to MD), US-13, I-95 (Delaware Memorial Bridge), I-295, I-87 (New York State Thruway)
• Unique feature: crossing the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal on the Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge (US-13)

Understanding fuel and toll costs helps budget your trip. As of 2025, tolls total approximately $18-$25 for the entire journey. The most significant toll is the Delaware Memorial Bridge ($4 eastbound, but you travel westbound so free). The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) has tolls totaling about $4 for the southern segment, and the New York State Thruway costs $11-$15 from the border to Exit 19 (Kingston). Fuel costs vary, but expect to fill up twice: once near Dover, DE and once near Newburgh, NY.

• Average fuel price along route: ~$3.25/gallon (Mid-Atlantic average 2025)
• Vehicle mpg assumption: 25 mpg combined
• Total fuel cost estimate: $44 (13.6 gallons)
• Toll costs: $0 (Delaware Memorial Bridge westbound), $4 (New Jersey Turnpike), $15 (NY Thruway) = $19 total

Rest areas with gas stations are plentiful. Notable ones include the Delaware Welcome Center on I-95 (milepost 3) and the New York State Thruway rest areas at Ramapo (milepost 31) and Plattekill (milepost 70). For a unique stop, exit at the Molly Pitcher Service Area on the New Jersey Turnpike (milepost 71.7) for its tribute to a Revolutionary War heroine.

Infrastructure and road quality are generally excellent, but watch for congestion near Philadelphia and New York City. The New Jersey Turnpike can be a bottleneck, especially around Exit 8 (Hightstown). Rest areas every 30-50 miles along I-95 and I-87 offer clean facilities. For families, the Delaware Children’s Museum (Wilmington) and the Funplex (Mount Laurel, NJ) are kid-approved.

• Family-friendly stop: Midway Playland (Smyrna, DE) - mini-golf and go-karts
• Pet-friendly stop: Dog Mountain (St. Johnsbury, VT is off-route, but closer: PetSmart (Newburgh, NY) has a self-wash station
• Important: Many rest areas allow dogs on leash; check signage

Fatigue management: Take mandatory breaks every 2 hours. Ideal spots: Richey's Mountain Rest Area (NJ, milepost 36) has picnic tables; Clinton Park Rest Area (NY, milepost 87) has a walking path. The drive itself avoids major hazards, but watch for deer in rural New York after dark.

From the salt marshes of Delaware to the sandstone cliffs of the Shawangunk Ridge, the landscape transforms gradually. The first hour offers flat farmland and poultry houses near Delmarva, then the industrial corridor of northern Delaware and New Jersey. After crossing the Hudson River on the Tappan Zee Bridge (I-87), the scenery yields to the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley.

how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities can transform a routine drive into an adventure. For example, instead of stopping at a generic rest area, detour 10 miles east of I-95 to see the historic Chateau Country near Wilmington, DE—renowned for du Pont estates like Winterthur and Hagley Museum. Another hidden gem: the Stone Arch Bridge in New Paltz, NY, a 19th-century marvel off NY-299, 15 minutes from the Thruway.

• Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (near Smyrna, DE): 16,000 acres of tidal marsh and birding trails, 20 minutes off US-113
• High Point State Park (Sussex, NJ): Highest point in New Jersey (1,803 ft), with a monument and views; 30-minute detour from I-95 via NJ-23
• Walkway Over the Hudson (Poughkeepsie, NY): A 1.28-mile pedestrian bridge across the Hudson; 10 minutes off I-87 Exit 18

Local commerce along the route reflects regional specialties. Delaware’s tax-free shopping is a draw—stock up at Dover Mall or Christiana Mall. In New York, farm stands sell apples, cider, and maple syrup. Look for the Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland, NY, which features a rest stop with fresh local produce.