The road connecting the ferry landing at Chimney Point to the town center of Addison was designated as VT F-7 ca. 1927. The ferry crossed Lake Champlain into Port Henry. VT F-7 was extended eastward to US 7 in New Haven by 1929. In 1929, the Champlain Bridge opened, connecting Chimney Point to Crown Point. By the following year, the segment of VT F-7 west of VT 30A (now VT 22A) in Addison was renumbered to VT 17, which now began on the Champlain Bridge at the New York state line. In 1933, all of VT 17 and the portion of VT F-7's former routing between Addison and New Haven were added to the state highway system. Prior to this time, maintenance of both roads was performed by the towns through which they passed. VT 17 was subsequently extended eastward to New Haven along VT F-7's former routing. As part of the 1935 state highway expansion, additional mileage was added to VT 17, which was extended to VT 116 in Bristol.