Marie Badertscher explores the legacy of the du Ponts with a tour of the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway across Pennsylvania and Delaware in a retro-looking Chevrolet HHR

"You would think they could trim the trees so you can see the signs," complains a visitor, tired of getting lost. On the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway that rambles from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, tulip and oak trees arch over the road, creating bucolic tunnels. The law helps residents protect their 19th Century views by banning tree-trimming. Even the names of hidden roads like Snuff Mill and Barleycorn evoke an older time.

Saving nature and history are just part of the legacy of the enormous, and enormously rich du Pont clan that so influenced this area. Five days along the 12-mile stretch of Route 52, Route 100, and side roads gave my husband and me a chance to marvel at an American royal family in "Chateau Country" with its gardens and mansions and museums.

We wondered if we would get to see a rare DuPont Motors automobile. As much as we would like to, we knew we had zero chance of driving a 90-year-old DuPont Motors Phaeton on our road trip. So, since the du Ponts once ran General Motors, we opted for the retro look of a GM car, the Chevrolet HHR. When I think of road trips -- stuffing a car full of family, luggage, and food -- I picture a car like the HHR. Solid, road-worthy, and as family-friendly as grandma's lap.

The Sport Red Metallic paint on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR LT that we picked up in Philadelphia shouted "Good times." This fully loaded model entertained us with toys like On Star, XM Radio, and a keyless remote that starts the engine from across the parking lot.

Read the complete travel feature, including road test details on the Chevrolet HHR, and scenic photography from the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway across Pennsylvania and Delaware in Automotive Traveler magazine.