As it does in other states, US 202 serves mainly as a local road in suburban and exurban communities along the outskirts of the metropolitan area, mostly two lanes with the exception of some four-lane sections and a brief concurrency onto an expressway in Peekskill. Its course along the Hudson River takes it first north up the west side, over the historic Bear Mountain Bridge, then south along the east side. It takes in many scenic areas, such as the Ramapo Mountains and Hudson Highlands, and two New York City reservoirs.