From Hartford · Western CT from Patterson

This full-day version starts in Hartford. The first 70 miles take the faster roads (I-84 and CT-37) to reach Patterson, NY, where the good part begins. The core stretch, Western CT from Patterson, is a 115-mile loop that comes back around to Patterson, NY.

The ride home is the quick way: 70 miles on I-84, CT-37 and CR-68 back to Hartford. All in, it's about 256 miles and 6.5 hours in the saddle, before any stops for gas, food or photos. Plan on a long day and an early start.

Full-day version that starts in Hartford: it adds the ride there and back to Western CT from Patterson. Here is what you'll find on the core stretch:

The big northwest loop for a full day, starting in Patterson, NY, just over an hour from the city. You enter Connecticut on CT-55, climb the Housatonic to North Canaan, come back through Salisbury and Sharon, drop down CT-4 to Cornwall Bridge and close via Warren, Lake Waramaug and the west side of Candlewood Lake. It's about 115 miles: fuel in Kent or Canaan and plan around daylight, especially in the fall.