America's covered bridges are living relics of a bygone era, where wooden tunnels span rivers and valleys with timeless charm. While thousands once dotted the countryside, fewer than 900 remain today. Even rarer are those still open to vehicular traffic, offering drivers a unique journey through history. From New England's autumn-framed beauties to unexpected gems in the Midwest and West, these dozen drivable covered bridges represent the best of American engineering and nostalgia.
Covered bridges evoke images of simpler times-horse-drawn carriages, hand-hewn timbers, and communities connected by ingenious wooden structures. These architectural marvels weren't just romantic; they served a practical purpose. The roof and sides protected the wooden trusses from weather, extending the bridge's lifespan from 10-15 years to over 100 years. Today, most surviving covered bridges are preserved as pedestrian-only landmarks, but a select few still welcome automobile traffic, offering a rare opportunity to experience history firsthand.
Driving through a covered bridge is like entering a time portal. The sudden darkness, the echo of tires on wooden planks, and the fleeting glimpse of sunlight through the exit create a sensory experience unlike any modern roadway. These 12 spectacular covered bridges across America remain open to drivers, each with its own story, architectural style, and scenic surroundings that make the journey unforgettable.
Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, New Hampshire/Vermont
Spanning the Connecticut River between Cornish, New Hampshire, and Windsor, Vermont, this is the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States at 449 feet. Built in 1866, it follows a two-span design using the Town lattice truss system, a popular 19th-century engineering solution. The bridge connects two states, making it a unique border crossing where you can literally drive from one state to another through a covered passage.
The red-painted structure remains an active part of New Hampshire Route 12-A, carrying daily commuter and tourist traffic. Its length is impressive, but so is its historical significance-it's been continuously serving travelers for over 150 years. The bridge offers spectacular views of the river valley, especially during fall foliage season when the surrounding hills blaze with color. A weight limit is enforced, but standard vehicles can safely pass through.
Hartland Covered Bridge, New Brunswick, Canada
While technically just across the border in Canada, the Hartland Covered Bridge deserves mention as the world's longest covered bridge at 1,282 feet. Located in Hartland, New Brunswick, this remarkable structure spans the Saint John River and has been carrying traffic since 1901. Originally built as an uncovered bridge, it received its roof and siding in 1920 to preserve the wooden structure.
The bridge is still open to vehicle traffic, though it's single-lane with traffic lights controlling flow from each end. Driving through takes nearly a minute at slow speeds, giving passengers ample time to admire the seven spans of wooden construction. The bridge is painted a traditional barn red and has become an iconic symbol of New Brunswick, earning designation as a National Historic Site of Canada. Nearby viewing areas and a visitor center provide context for this engineering marvel.
Medora Covered Bridge, Indiana
Indiana boasts more covered bridges than any state except Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the Medora Covered Bridge stands out as one of the finest still carrying traffic. Built in 1875 over the East Fork of the White River in Jackson County, this 431-foot structure is the longest historic covered bridge in the United States that's still open to vehicle traffic without restrictions.
The bridge utilizes a Burr arch truss design, which combines a multiple kingpost truss with a supporting arch-a system that provides exceptional strength. The Medora bridge's weathered siding and rustic appearance transport visitors to the 19th century. Located in a rural area, the surrounding landscape features farmland and wooded riverbanks. The bridge is part of a scenic byway that includes several other covered bridges, making it ideal for a dedicated covered bridge road trip through southern Indiana.
West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Connecticut
Connecticut's most photographed covered bridge, the West Cornwall Covered Bridge, spans the Housatonic River on Route 128 in the Litchfield Hills region. Built in 1864, this 242-foot bridge features a Town lattice truss design and vibrant red exterior that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding forests and rushing river below.
What makes this bridge particularly special is its setting in one of New England's most picturesque villages. The area around West Cornwall offers antique shops, hiking trails, and excellent fly-fishing opportunities. The bridge remains an active part of the state highway system, though only one vehicle can pass through at a time. The wooden planks create a distinctive rumble as cars cross, and the cool shade inside provides welcome relief on hot summer days. Fall and winter offer especially stunning photo opportunities, with autumn leaves or snow-covered landscapes framing the historic structure.
Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge, Ohio
Ohio's Ashtabula County contains more covered bridges than any other county in the United States, and the Smolen-Gulf Bridge is its crown jewel. At 613 feet, it's the longest covered bridge in the United States and one of the newest, completed in 2008. Unlike most bridges on this list, Smolen-Gulf is a modern recreation built using traditional methods and materials.
The bridge spans the Ashtabula River gorge at a height that offers breathtaking views through the side openings. The structure uses massive laminated wooden arches and features observation decks at mid-span where drivers can park and walk to viewing platforms. The design honors Ohio's covered bridge heritage while incorporating modern safety features. The bridge is part of the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour, a self-guided route that includes 19 covered bridges in total, making it a covered bridge enthusiast's paradise.
Kissing Bridge (Ashuelot Covered Bridge), New Hampshire
Known affectionately as the "Kissing Bridge," the Ashuelot Covered Bridge in Winchester, New Hampshire, earned its nickname from the tradition of couples kissing while passing through covered bridges. Built in 1864, this 169-foot structure crosses the Ashuelot River and features a Town lattice truss painted in classic New England red.
The bridge carries Main Street traffic through downtown Winchester, making it one of the few covered bridges serving as a main thoroughfare in a town center. Its central location means it sees regular daily use by residents and visitors alike. The surrounding area includes town parks and river access points, and the bridge is beautifully illuminated at night. The structure underwent major restoration in the 1980s to preserve it for future generations while maintaining its ability to carry modern traffic loads.
Felton Covered Bridge, California
California isn't known for covered bridges, which makes the Felton Covered Bridge all the more remarkable. Located in Felton, near Santa Cruz, this 1892 bridge spans the San Lorenzo River and is the tallest covered bridge in the United States at 40 feet from the water to the truss. It's also California's oldest covered bridge still in use.
The bridge originally served as a railroad crossing before being converted to a roadway bridge in 1936. It features a modified Howe truss design and weathered redwood siding that blends with the surrounding forest. The bridge is part of a county park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and river access. While open to traffic, the bridge has a weight restriction, and its narrow width means only one vehicle can cross at a time. The towering redwoods and lush ferns surrounding the bridge create a uniquely Californian covered bridge experience.
Cedar Covered Bridge, Iowa
Iowa's Madison County became famous thanks to the novel and film "The Bridges of Madison County," and while most of those bridges are now closed to traffic, the Cedar Covered Bridge still welcomes vehicles. Built in 1883, this 76-foot bridge crosses Cedar Creek and features the distinctive red color and white trim common to the county's covered bridges.
The bridge uses a Burr arch truss and has been meticulously maintained over the decades. Its relatively short length makes for a brief crossing, but the experience is no less authentic. The surrounding countryside embodies the pastoral beauty of rural Iowa, with rolling farmland and quiet country roads. The bridge is part of the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway, a 63-mile route that connects all six of Madison County's remaining covered bridges. Visiting during late summer means encountering corn fields at their peak, while autumn brings harvest season colors.
Artist's Bridge, Maine
The Artist's Bridge in Newry, Maine, is the state's most painted and photographed covered bridge, earning its name from the countless artists who've captured its beauty. Built in 1872, the 87-foot structure crosses the Sunday River and features a modified Paddleford truss design with a distinctive white exterior and red trim.
The bridge sits in a particularly scenic location, with the river rushing over smooth boulders below and mountains rising in the background. It remains open to light vehicle traffic, though many visitors choose to park nearby and walk across to better appreciate the views and take photographs. The surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Autumn in Maine is spectacular, and the Artist's Bridge framed by fall foliage is one of New England's most iconic scenes. Winter transforms the bridge into a snow-covered wonderland, though it's still accessible to vehicles when roads are clear.
Red Covered Bridge (Princeton), Missouri
Missouri's Locust Creek Covered Bridge near Princeton is one of just four historic covered bridges remaining in the state and the only one still open to vehicle traffic. Built in 1868, the 151-foot structure crosses Locust Creek and features a Howe truss design with the classic red barn color scheme.
The bridge served as a vital link in rural Mercer County for over a century before being bypassed by a modern bridge in 1967. Rather than demolishing it, the county preserved the covered bridge for light traffic and historical appreciation. The structure underwent significant restoration in the 1990s and again in the 2010s to ensure its survival. The surrounding area is quintessential Midwest farmland, with grain silos, barns, and expansive fields stretching to the horizon. The bridge is part of a county park with picnic facilities and interpretive signs explaining covered bridge construction techniques.
Knight's Ferry Covered Bridge, California
California's Knight's Ferry Covered Bridge, built in 1863, is the longest wooden covered bridge west of the Mississippi River at 330 feet. Spanning the Stanislaus River in California's Gold Country, this bridge served travelers heading to the Sierra Nevada foothills during the gold rush era and continues to carry traffic today.
The bridge features a Howe truss design with massive timbers and an impressive engineering profile. It was constructed to replace ferry service across the river, significantly improving travel times for miners and settlers. The town of Knight's Ferry itself is a charming historic site with gold rush-era buildings, a restored grist mill, and river recreation opportunities. The covered bridge is the centerpiece of this well-preserved 19th-century community. Rafters and kayakers frequently pass beneath the bridge, creating interesting contrasts between old and new recreation. The structure has withstood numerous floods and continues to serve the community after more than 160 years.
Blair Bridge, New Hampshire
The Blair Bridge in Campton, New Hampshire, is a picturesque 292-foot span crossing the Pemigewasset River. Built in 1829 and rebuilt after flood damage in 1869, it's one of New Hampshire's oldest surviving covered bridges and still carries traffic on Blair Road, a scenic country lane in the White Mountains region.
The bridge features a Long truss design with weathered gray siding that gives it a particularly authentic, time-worn appearance. Its location offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, especially during peak foliage season when the White Mountains are ablaze with autumn color. The Pemigewasset River below is popular for fishing and tubing, and several pull-offs near the bridge allow visitors to admire it from different angles. The bridge is part of New Hampshire's Covered Bridge Byway, a route that connects numerous historic bridges throughout the state. Winter brings cross-country skiers and snowshoers to the area, and the bridge covered in snow is a photographer's dream.
