Can you drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain NY?

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Essex County, New York, ready to conquer Whiteface Mountain, a beast of a peak towering at 4,599 feet! Word on the street is, the paved road to the top is the highest in the whole state.

Yep, you can totally drive it! It's a toll road called the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (aka NY 431), and it's been winding its way to the summit since '35.

The road clocks in at just about 8 miles, starting in Wilmington. It's a slow and twisty climb that dumps you out at a parking lot near the top, from where you can hike or take an elevator to the tippy-top.

Hold on tight, though, because this climb is *steep*. We're talking a max grade of 11% as you wind your way up the mountain, the fifth-highest in the Adirondacks. You'll gain over 3,500 feet from bottom to top, with an average gradient of over 8%.

This beauty is only open from June through October, so plan accordingly.

Without stopping, you could probably zip up in about 15 minutes. BUT. DON'T. You'll want to savor every single viewpoint along the way. Seriously, the last five miles are epic, as the road carves through a forest that changes as you gain altitude. And then, the summit! You'll find a castle made of stone, grub, souvenirs, and even an elevator that takes you to the very top. And the views? Unbelievable. 360 degrees of pure gorgeousness.

On a clear day, you can peep the Green Mountains of Vermont, the skyscrapers of Montreal, and even the White Mountains of New Hampshire.