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Northeastern US Routes

10 Top Road Trip Routes in the Northeastern US

The United States abounds with scenic routes and picturesque drives , but the beauty of the Northeast offers landscapes you can't see anywhere else in the country. Chasing rivers and scaling mountains, they wind through the country's most adorable small towns and along its most storied coastline. As the East Coast is famous for its fiery autumn colors, many of these trips are especially striking during the fall . However, each season offers something uniquely enjoyable and you can enjoy these drives at any time of the year.

Read on to find inspiration for your next Northeast road trip.

Upper Delaware River Valley

If you've seen those car commercials that show a slick vehicle navigating a wildly undulating mountain road, there's a good chance it was State Route 97 in the Upper Delaware River Valley of Upstate New York. This twisting highway traces the Delaware River, which forms a natural border between New York State and Pennsylvania. The most famous part is a section known as the Hawk's Nest, which covers the 70 miles from Point Jervis to Hancock. It takes about an hour and a half to complete the route, so even though it isn't the fastest way to travel between the cities, it's undoubtedly the prettiest.

Apart from the stomach-churning turns and breathtaking views, travelers should also stop at landmarks along the route including the Minisink Battleground Park , which hosted a skirmish during the Revolutionary War, and Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct , a canal bridge and engineering marvel built in 1848.

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York has been nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East" for its dramatic gorge that drops 600 feet into the Genesee River below. The best place to get into the park is at the southern entrance in the town of Portageville, which is just over an hour from either Rochester or Buffalo . You can drive the length of the entire park and come out at the north end, which isn't even 20 miles long. But factor in plenty of time for pulling over, taking pictures, and hiking around the gorge. You'll see plenty of waterfalls during your trip through Letchworth, but if they leave you wanting more, Niagara Falls is just an hour and a half away by car.

The Adirondacks

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

In the remote northeastern part of New York's Adirondack Park , there are 46 rounded peaks that soar roughly 4,000 feet or more toward the sky, but you don't need to hike them for glorious views. This scenic drive starts in North Creek, New York—about an hour and a half north of Albany. From North Creek, drive on Route 28N as it loops around through the forest and mountains. Once you reach Blue Mountain Lake, Route 28N turns into Route 28S, but continue weaving through the many charming lakes until you reach Old Forge. The entire route is nearly 90 miles and has plenty of opportunities for stopping the car and enjoying nature.

Along the way, allow time for a scenic Gondola Skyride at Gore Mountain. And don't miss the splendid Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake , a sprawling complex that brings to life the people who've explored, settled, and cherished this wilderness. It's one of the top things to do in New York State .

The Vermont Shore

Yes, Vermont has a coast: a freshwater one along Lake Champlain. And the town of Shelburne—just a few miles south of Burlington —is a picturesque spot to start a drive that affords fabulous views of the lake and its majestic backdrop, the Adirondack Mountains across the border in New York.

Start at ​ Shelburne Farms , a 1,400-acre working farm built on Lake Champlain as a model agricultural estate in the late 19th century. Pick up Route 7 South to Mount Philo State Park  in Charlotte, where you can drive to the summit for panoramic lake views. Continue on Route 7 South to Route 22A through Vergennes and out to Button Bay State Park . Once there, you can hike along a bluff overlooking Lake Champlain or even rent a boat and get out on the water. Not including time out of the car, the drive should take just about an hour.

The Mohawk Trail

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

A path blazed by five Native American tribes became New England's first official scenic route in 1914. Automobiles have come a long way since then, but the 63-mile Mohawk Trail—Route 2 between Williamstown and Athol in Western Massachusetts —still leads to bucolic scenes that seem little altered over the past century. Famous for its sharp Hairpin Turn, which looks out over the Hoosac Valley, it's a drive you'll particularly want to savor in the fall . Allow time to hike a portion of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail that runs through the Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont. It follows the original footpath trod by New England's earliest inhabitants.

The Kancamagus Highway

New England's ultimate scenic route—especially in the fall—is the 34.5 miles of Route 112 between Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. Known by its Native American name, the Kancamagus Highway (pronounced kank-ah-MAU-gus but called "the Kanc" by locals) was completed in 1959, connecting these towns on the east and west sides of the 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest . There are overlooks, hiking opportunities, historic sites, and campgrounds along this famed roadway, but even if you just motor through (be prepared to ride your brakes when fall traffic peaks), you'll be thrilled by the views of densely forested mountains and the boulder-strewn Swift River.

Connecticut's National Scenic Byway

Think of this as your "serenity now" route. Connecticut's first National Scenic Byway—Route 169 from North Woodstock to Lisbon—is a supreme leaf-peeping route that glides for 30 miles past farmlands, stone walls, and nearly 200 homes built before the Civil War. Worthy stops on your trip include Historic New England's Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Mashamoquet Brook State Park in Pomfret for lore and hiking, and Martha's Herbary in Pomfret for aromatic gifts. Time your drive to coincide with the Brooklyn Fair , the oldest continuously-held agricultural fair in the U.S., which takes place in late August each year.

Narragansett Bay

Kim Knox Beckius

Set your GPS for 1460 Ocean Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island, and begin this road trip at one of New England's prettiest lighthouses: Point Judith Lighthouse . Although you can't venture inside, you can stroll the grounds of this still-active beacon built in 1857. From here, you'll follow Ocean Road north to Narragansett Town Beach , where surfers ride vigorous waves year-round. The Towers —all that remains of the Gilded Age Narragansett Pier Casino—provide an enchanting backdrop. Drive Route 1A North, and you'll pass Historic New England's Casey Farm , established in 1750 and still operating and open for tours.

From there, take Route 138 East across the Jamestown Bridge, exit onto Conanicut Island, and follow local roads south to Beavertail State Park on Beavertail Road. Here, you'll see the 1856 stone Beavertail Lighthouse and you can venture inside the museum in the assistant keeper's house. Look east, and you'll bring your lighthouse count up to three: Castle Hill Light is visible in the distance.

Massachusetts' Coastline

If you're a fan of fried clams, lobster, and fresh fish, this is the road trip for you. It starts in Gloucester, Massachusetts —the oldest seaport in the U.S.—and follows Route 127A to Route 127 along the coast north of Boston . It then turns inland toward Essex on Route 133 and north once again on Route 1 to Newburyport . Along the way, you'll see Gloucester's Good Harbor Beach, one of the prettiest in New England, and the petite fishing village of Rockport, where the art scene thrives.

You'll be distracted at practically every turn by seafood shacks, but you may want to save your appetite for Essex, where fried clams were invented by Chubby Woodman. His descendants still prepare them the same way at Woodman's of Essex , and some say the golden beauties at The Clam Box up the road in Ipswich are even better, so you'll want to try both. If you're still hungry when you reach Newburyport, finish with a scenic drive along Plum Island, stopping at the no-frills but delicious Bob Lobster on the way. The entire drive is about 45 miles.

Acadia's Park Loop Road

www.cfwphotography.com/Getty Images

The 27-mile Park Loop Road through Maine's Acadia National Park is as exhilarating a drive as you'll find anywhere. Even though it's not a long route, expect to spend at least three to four hours driving, including stops to get out and enjoy the scenery (it can be even longer during the busy summer months due to traffic). The Atlantic waves crashing against the forests make for a truly dramatic landscape, made all the better by the towering Cadillac Mountain—and you can drive to the summit. This national park does charge an entrance fee, but your admission is good for seven days of visits, so make the most of your visit by staying nearby or even camping in the park.

The Mohawk Trail Association. "More Than a Trail... A Journey." Accessed September 11, 2022.

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The Flexible New England Road Trip Itinerary You Need in 2024 ❤️

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Are you planning the ultimate New England road trip? Let me help! After exploring New England for more than 20 years, I have put together this comprehensive guide to exploring this charming region. The best way to see New England is by car, and this 2-3 week itinerary offers a grand tour of New England, covering the best places to visit , especially for first-time visitors.

Spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, this itinerary shows you the best of New England, from quaint coastal towns to lush mountain landscapes. The itinerary is also well-paced to allow you to spend time seeing the sites, enjoy local activities, and cross items off your New England bucket list . And, the itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to your needs, interests, and desired trip length.

Whether you’re in for the full journey or seeking shorter road trip variations (I’ve included those, too!), this guide caters to your wanderlust, ensuring a memorable and personalized exploration of New England’s beauty. Let’s go!

PS: Pop this New England playlist on—it’s perfect for a road trip!

Table of Contents

New England Road Trip FAQ

When’s the best time of year to road trip new england.

New England is gorgeous in all seasons, but for the easiest driving (and best New England road tripping experiences), summer and fall are ideal.

If you want the fall foliage experience, late September and early October are the key weeks to plan for. Of course, these times of years are also peak tourist season, so expect more traffic and higher hotel prices.

(PS: If you want to do a shorter road trip or a route that’s perfect for fall, check out my 7 day New England Fall Road Trip itinerary!

One of my favorite times of the year in New England is mid to late May. The weather is beautiful, and the region’s roads and attractions are generally less busy. The budding greenery is especially gorgeous and fresh, too.

Early September can also be lovely, just after kids have returned to school and summer has ended. Expect crisp temperatures and leaves just beginning to change colors.

A winter road trip may be doable, but remember, New England can be quite snowy, so you’ll want to have a reliable vehicle outfitted with snow tires, and you’ll need to stay aware of changing weather conditions and road closures.

How many days do you need for a road trip to New England?

You need 2-3 weeks for a comprehensive road trip around New England. This is the ideal amount of time needed to cover the major highlights of all six New England states.

If you don’t have that much time, you can still pack a lot into a shorter trip. A minimum of 7 to 10 days is ideal for a thorough yet relaxed New England road trip. For a 7-10 day trip, consider my Southern or Northern New England itineraries, or do shorter segments of the full 2-3 week itinerary.

Where should I start my road trip through New England?

I’ve started this New England travel itinerary in Boston, as it’s the biggest city in New England and home to a major airport, Boston Logan International. This airport is easy to fly into and rent a vehicle. Boston is also a great destination on its own, so my itinerary includes a couple days exploring the city.

Ps: Ready to rent a car for your New England drive? Click here to find the best rates on rental cars !

The Perfect New England Road Trip Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: boston, massachusetts.

You’ll start your New England excursion from Boston, Massachusetts: an absolutely fantastic city.

Boston is a well-known place that’s filled to the brim with history. From famous historical events like the Boston Tea Party to its reputation as a modern-day sports town, you’ll never be bored here.

Some great things to do in Boston :

• Visit the North End and dine on amazing Italian food . Don’t miss grabbing cannoli from Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry.
• Stroll around quaint Beacon Hill
• Tempt your taste buds with a Boston Food Tour
• Go shopping on classy Newbury Street
• Follow the Freedom Trail to learn Boston’s revolutionary history
• Join an expert-led walking tour for a more in-depth experience of the city
• Check out one of the many great Boston museums, including the Museum of Science which I especially love
• Join a Boston Duck Tour and ride in one of the famous amphibious vehicles

Hotel Suggestion in Boston: Fairmont Copley Plaza

Need more guidance for Boston? Check out my post on The Top Things to Do in Boston for first timers , and I’ve also got some recommendations on where to grab coffee, breakfast , a beer, or a bite to eat in Boston , too !

PS: Looking for a shorter road trip from Boston? Check out my New England trip itinerary focusing on the journey from Boston to Acadia National Park .

Days 3 & 4: Newport, Rhode Island

On Day 3, drive from Boston to Newport. This is a straightforward route, with about 2 hours of drive time. Glitz and glamour. That’s what you’ll find in Newport, Rhode Island. This town is perhaps best known for its iconic Gilded Age mansions . These opulent buildings were once the summer cottages of America’s rich and famous families.

Today, many of them have been converted into museums that you can wander through and admire some of New England’s opulence past.

Some of my favorite things to do in Newport:

• Visit a mansion or two. I recommend The Breakers if you only have time for one of Newport’s mansions
• Hop on this fun Gilded Age Mansions Tour, which takes you around via trolley
• Stroll along the scenic Cliff Walk
• Dine at the White Horse Tavern, America’s oldest operating restaurant

Hotel Suggestion in Newport: Hotel Viking

For further Newport ideas : Click here to read more about the top things to do in Newport, including beaches, restaurants, hotels , and vacation rentals too!

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Day 5: Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic, Connecticut is a wonderful little seaside town that feels like a must-do on a New England adventure. It is one of my favorite places in New England, and there is plenty to do here: history, culture, art, sailing. And, for seafood lovers, Mystic’s coastal location offers a variety of delicious seafood dining options

Like pretty much every other scenic New England town, there’s a cute little downtown area with great shopping, dining, and activities.

A few terrific things to do in Mystic:

• Explore Mystic Seaport , a historic shipyard and museum destination you could spend hours touring
• Watch the Mystic drawbridge (the Mystic River Bascule Bridge) go up, especially while enjoying some Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream !
• See the adorable beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium
• Browse the epic shops in Olde Mystick Village including my personal favorite: Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop

Hotel recommendation for Mystic: The Whaler’s Inn

Further reading on Mystic: Check out my tips for all the fun things to do , best restaurants to eat at , and the best places to stay in Mystic!

READ NEXT   25 Best Beach Towns in New England for Coastal Fun

Day 6: Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

As you roadtrip New England, your next destination is the enchanting Litchfield Hills . This is another easy drive day, as the distance from Mystic to the Litchfield region is a short 2 hours. And if you’re traveling in the fall, the Connecticut fall foliage along this route creates a magical backdrop. To me, this area in the northwest corner of the state is a hidden gem .

Here you’ll find all the classic New England pastimes you know and love. In particular, there is an abundance of outdoor activities (hiking, paddling, fishing) as well as exceptional antique shops.

The Litchfield Hills make up a large portion of this region, and include towns such as Torrington, Woodbury, Kent, Cornwall, and Washington (very English sounding names, aren’t they?)

A few excellent things to do in the Litchfield Hills:

• Live out your Gilmore Girls Dreams. This region is well known for being the inspiration for the iconic tv show that perfectly encapsulates New England small town charm .
• Grab ice cream from Arethusa Farm
• Go covered bridge chasing – Bulls Bridge in Kent has a worthwhile nearby hiking trail
• Hike to Campbell Falls, a beautiful waterfall (this trail technically takes you over the border into Massachusetts, too, so it’s a 2-for-1!)

Recommended hotel in the Litchfield Hills: The Mayflower Inn & Spa : legend has it that it was the inspiration for Lorelei Gilmore’s inn, the Dragonfly.

READ NEXT   18 Wonderful Weekend Getaways from Boston

Day 7: Lenox, Massachusetts

Continue on your New England road trip into the Berkshires of Massachusetts . Here you will encounter art, nature, and culture combined. This region has been very popular among vacationers for many years.  And the town of Lenox is the center of it all.

Best things to do in Lenox:

• Enjoy a concert at the famous Tanglewood (these are a staple in summer, and you can hear everything from leading symphonies to folk singers like James Taylor
• Take in a performance at Shakespeare & Company. This theatre produces excellent shows; I’ve been twice!
• Take a hike on one of the area’s many scenic trails
• Step back in time at the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, a 1890s home that’s open for tours.
• If you are interested in literature, you may also wish to stop by the Mount, Edith Wharton’s turn-of-the-century estate.

Where to stay in Lenox:

More resources for your trip to Lenox and the Berkshires: 🍁 Best Restaurants in Lenox 🍁 10 Charming Cabins in the Berkshires 🍁 Best Hikes in the Berkshires

Day 8: Manchester, Vermont

Finally, you’ve made it into the spectacular state of Vermont (my personal favorite, if you couldn’t tell). It’s a fairly easy drive from the Berkshires in Massachusetts up to Manchester in the southwestern corner of Vermont, only a couple of hours. And this is another route that is especially glorious if you opt to do a New England fall road trip .

Manchester is one of the most beautiful places in Vermont, marrying quaint village charm with touches of modern luxury. It’s no surprise that it’s very popular among travelers.

Some of my favorite things to do in Manchester:

• Tour Hildene , the beautiful Lincoln family home (Yes, some of Abraham Lincoln’s children lived here!)
• Drive to the top of Mt. Equinox on Skyline Drive (or consider hiking the trail up to the summit)
• In the fall, pick pumpkins from the patch at Equinox Valley Nursery (and don’t miss the cider donuts!)
• Shop til you drop at Manchester’s many outlet stores
• Dine at the stately Ye Olde Tavern
• Pop into Northshire Bookstore , one of the leading independent bookstores in New England

Hotel Recommendation for Manchester: Kimpton Taconic Hotel

More resources on Manchester: Read my entire Manchester VT travel guide for more of the top Manchester activities, as well as these articles on the best restaurants , breakfast spots , and hotels in Manchester .

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PS: If you’re very interested in exploring Vermont, a trip through Manchester, Burlington, and Stowe make the ideal Vermont road trip itinerary .

Day 9: Burlington, Vermont

Just around 2 hours north of Manchester (taking the beautiful and scenic Route 7) you’ll find yourself in Burlington: Vermont’s biggest city. It’s also often mislabeled as Vermont’s capital, but that honor goes to Montpelier. Still, you’re likely to run into Bernie Sanders in either town!

Burlington is where my husband and I lived for several years. It’s a fantastic town that is hip, artsy, and full of good, local food . Seriously, in Vermont, you need to eat. There’s so much delicious cheese, coffee, beer, maple syrup, and much, much more.

To get you started on your culinary adventures, check out this post on my favorite Burlington breweries and bars , and this one on my beloved coffee shops. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy brunch in BTV . We do breakfast here right.

The gem of Burlington is Lake Champlain, the sprawling, sparkling lake that the city overlooks. Here is the chance to go sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or take a ferry across to New York state.

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, visit one of the many beautiful parks and natural areas. Burlington is amazing for outdoor activities. If you want to get moving, the Burlington Bike Path stretches for miles, hugging the lake’s edge. This is ideal for running or cycling. You can even rent bikes right on the bike path.

More epic things to do in Burlington VT:

• Sail on Lake Champlain on the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise
• Walk down Church Street for shopping, eats, people-watching, and more
• Hike Mt. Philo, a nearby easy hike with the payoff of a fantastic view

Hotel recommendation in Burlington: Hotel Vermont

Even more resources for your Burlington trip:  🍁 21 Hikes Near Burlington VT to Add to Your Bucket List  🍁 10 Can’t-Miss Free Things to do in Burlington VT  🍁 9 Incredible Day Trips from Burlington VT 🍁 Where to Stay in Burlington VT in 2023: Best Burlington Hotels

PS: Considering visiting Burlington in 2024? It’s one of the cities that the total solar eclipse will pass fully over on April 8, 2024, so start planning ASAP!

Days 10 & 11: Stowe, Vermont

From Burlington, head south on I89 to Exit 10. From there, you’ll take the scenic Route 100 past Waterbury and out to Stowe. When people think of the classic Vermont places, they’re likely thinking of Stowe.

It’s absolutely gorgeous: a charming town surrounded by mountains. The short Main Street and its side streets boast a white-steepled church, an old-timey general store, and a ski museum.

Simply put, Stowe is adorable. I have been to Stowe countless times and I highly recommend it as one of the premier New England road trip destinations!

Wonderful things to do in Stowe:

• Traverse the trails and property at the Trapp Family Lodge , and grab a beer afterwards at their European-style brewery and Bierhall
• Shop the adorable shops on Main Street
• Visit a haunted covered bridge if you dare (Emily’s Bridge)
• Spend a day skiing on one of the area’s fantastic ski mountains
• One of my number one tips: on your way to Stowe, stop by Cold Hollow Cider Mill for all things apple (a must-visit in the fall) and the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory tour .

Where to stay in Stowe: Field Guide Lodge , Topnotch Resort , or the Trapp Family Lodge

More on Stowe: I have an entire post dedicated to Things to Do in Stowe, Vermont, the best restaurants , the best breakfast , the best hikes , the best hotels , everything!

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Days 12 & 13: The White Mountains, New Hampshire

No adventure in New England could be complete without some mountain time. And this is especially true if you’re planning a New England fall road trip .

New Hampshire’s White Mountains are impressive and exciting. They’re the tallest in New England (with Mount Washington tallest of all) and offer spectacular hiking and more. There are several places you could base yourself during this portion of the road trip, but I recommend North Conway, Lincoln, or North Woodstock, as they each offer lots of amenities and accommodations, and are a reasonable distance from the most popular attractions in the region.

Unmissable things to do in the White Mountains:

• Take in some of the coolest natural wonders of the White Mountains , such as the Basin, a granite “pothole” that is found at the base of a waterfall in Franconia Notch State Park
• Go hiking! This is the #1 item on any New Hampshire bucket list . And here is a guide to some of the best hikes in New Hampshire .
• Meander through Flume Gorge. This is a natural ravine that formed over many years and now a hiking trail with a boardwalk passes through it. This is a wonderful hike with some amazing scenery. Another spot that is extra special with the fall foliage
• Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln, an old-fashioned New Hampshire classic
• A scenic drive along The Kancamangus Highway. This epic stretch of road runs 26 miles between Lincoln and Conway and is one of New Hampshire’s most scenic roads . There are many great spots to stop and explore further and this is undoubtedly one of the best places to see New England fall foliage.
• Shop in North Conway, and don’t miss Zeb’s General Store for a taste of pure nostalgia.
• Tube or paddle in the Saco River. On a friend’s recent bachelorette party trip, we used Saco River Tubing and had an absolute blast!
• Near Bartlett you can stop by Diana’s Baths, a beautiful area of cascading waterfalls and gentle pools. On a hot summer’s day, it’s the perfect place to cool off.

Where to Stay in the White Mountains: Lumen Nature Retreat

More White Mountains travel guides:  🍁  Best Things to Do in North Conway, NH  🍁  Best Things to Do in Lincoln, NH  🍁  Best Things to Do in Franconia, NH  🍁  15 Amazing Cabins in the White Mountains, NH

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Days 14 & 15: Portland, Maine

Finally, the last state on the great New England road trip. This is Maine, “the way life should be.”

Maine is massive so there’s no way to do the state justice in this itinerary; I’m essentially covering a few of the must-see areas. You could spend weeks on a road trip of Maine alone. (See also these  8 autumn scenic drives in Maine delivering up insane fall colors).

If you do wish to explore the rest of Maine (and you absolutely should) I recommend taking a look at my epic list of 50+ Fun Things to Do in Maine , as well as this guide to the top places to visit in Maine . But let’s continue with our amazing road trip!

Stop for a bit in Portland, a modern portside town that may surprise you. There’s a hip city right on the water in Portland, Maine, and this is a hot spot for restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, bakeries , and entertainment .

Fun things to do in Portland:

• Visit a brewery. Beer lovers will be happy to know that Portland has 18 breweries all its own .
• Check out one of several lighthouses in the area . There are 5 less than 20 minutes’ drive from Portland, including the iconic Portland Head Light.
• Grab some of that famous Maine lobster.
• Stuff your face with Maine potato donuts from local staple The Holy Donut
• Walk the pretty Old Port and patronize the eclectic shops and restaurants
• Don’t miss dining at Hot Suppa , a West End restaurant where I enjoyed the best breakfast of my life (and a spectacular maple latte)
• Traveling with kids? The Children’s Museum of Maine on Thompson’s Point is a total blast!

Portland hotel recommendation : Hotel Francis in the West End

Further resources for discovering Portland:  🍁 The Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine  🍁 Weekend in Portland Itinerary  🍁 7 Spots for the Best Breakfast in Portland Maine  🍁 14 Exceptional Airbnb Portland Maine Rentals 🍁 12 Best Hotels in Portland Maine

Days 16 & 17: Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine

Now we travel north to Bar Harbor. Admittedly, it looks like a far drive on the map. In reality, from Portland to Bar Harbor is just over a 3-hour drive. And trust me, visiting Mt. Desert Island is SO worth it.

Bar Harbor is the seaside town that will be your base for exploring Acadia National Park . You will be in awe over this beautiful part of Maine. Here is where rocky cliffs tumble into the sea, with iconic lighthouses at the top.

There’s abundant wildlife on land and in the sea, and countless opportunities for terrific hiking.

But the region is not just about the outdoors. Bar Harbor has lovely shops, restaurants, and extremely cozy inns . Truly, the region is ideal for travelers of all kinds. You’ll also find great camping, cabins , and vacation rentals in and near Acadia, too.

My top recommendations in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor:

• Tackle the exhilarating Beehive Hike, that involves a bit of climbing and rewards you with unparalleled views
• Order popovers at the Jordan Pond House (delicious!)
• Take a whale watch or other wildlife tour from Bar Harbor
• Drive up Cadillac Mountain before dawn to catch the sunrise from the first place light touches in the Continental US
• Marvel at the natural wonder of Thunder Hole
• Bike the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor hotel recommendation: The Bar Harbor Inn

More on Acadia: Check out my 3 Day Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Itinerary for an awesome trip!

Read Next :  10 Coastal Towns in Maine That are Hidden Gems

Day 18: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Your New England driving tour itinerary is nearing its end, but you’ve got a few more stops to make—-stops you won’t want to miss.

Portsmouth is first. We’re back in New Hampshire now! Between Maine and Massachusetts, New Hampshire is home to a very small strip of coastline. The hub of the Seacoast is Portsmouth, a small yet lively city with a great deal of history. You can see colonial architecture all over this beautiful city.

Taking a New England winter road trip? Portsmouth should definitely be on your list, as they do a month of celebrations and events with Vintage Christmas, one of the most magical New England Christmas celebrations !

Best things to do in Portsmouth:

• Strawbery Banke Museum: an outdoor living history museum.
• Dine at one of the many awesome restaurants: Portsmouth has become a major foodie destination in recent years
• Go shopping at the numerous boutiques around town. Some standouts: Gus & Ruby Letterpress , Pickwick’s Mercantile , and G. Williker’s Toy Shop
• Be surrounded by books and grab a tasty beverage at Book & Bar
• Wander the lovely Prescott Park
• Attend some award-winning theatre at Seacoast Repertory Theatre

Hotel suggestion in Portsmouth: The Hotel Portsmouth

Further Portsmouth NH travel resources for your trip : 🍁 The Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, NH 🍁 Top 10 Bars in Portsmouth NH

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Day 19: Salem, Massachusetts

Your final stop is the historically infamous Salem, Massachusetts. And though you’ll definitely want to spend time exploring its history with the Salem Witch Trials, there’s plenty to do in the area that isn’t witchy, too.

You can hit the highlights of Salem in one day, or extend for another 2-3.

If possible, you don’t necessarily want to plan your trip to Salem to coincide with Halloween. Although the town has a distinct, fun vibe this time of year, October is also its busiest and most crowded month.

No matter when you go, however, there are definitely some things not to be missed:

• Go to The Witch House, an atmospheric home you’ve definitely seen on Instagram, and a building that is one of the only Salem locations with direct ties to the witch trials. (One of the judges lived here).
• Get witchy in the magickal shops. Whether you want something more fun and touristy, or you’re after the real deal, Salem has a wide range of shops selling all kinds of goods.
• Tour the House of the Seven Gables
• Walk the neighborhoods around Federal Street and admire the stately historic homes
• Find the Hocus Pocus film locations! (Use my guide to take a DIY Hocus Pocus tour )
• Get spooked on a nighttime ghost tour ( top recommendations here !)
• Grab a photo with Samantha at the Bewitched Statue

Hotel recommendation for Salem : The Hawthorne Hotel or Hotel Salem (they have a great rooftop bar)

More on Salem: Check out its great restaurants , scope out some of its haunted history , and maybe even stay overnight in one of Salem’s classic New England inns or Airbnbs ! Nearby towns of Rockport, Gloucester , and Marblehead are worth visiting too if you’d like to explore more of this area of coastal New England.

READ NEXT   12 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Salem MA

Day 20 / End: – Boston, Massachusetts

You did it! You’ve completed an epic New England road trip! Congratulations! You’ve seen some of the prettiest places in the country, and you did it all by car!

Days 21+: Optional Add-Ons: Cape Cod/Nantucket/Martha’s Vineyard

You may be wondering why I didn’t include some of New England’s coastal gems on this New England road trip itinerary? I did this because destinations such as Cape Cod , Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard are harder to get to and don’t fit in well with the traditional road trip format. After all, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are islands, so they are not an easy destination to access without in-depth planning.

Not only are they more complicated to travel to, these Massachusetts coastal destinations are terrific and truly worthy of their own vacations . I highly recommend devoting a trip specifically to exploring New England’s amazing coast.

If you wish to add to your road trip, by all means, hop in the car and continue the drive to Cape Cod. From there you can easily take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. And I hope these resources will help you as you plan:

More travel ideas here:

• 25 Things to Do on Cape Cod (Besides the Beach!)
• 13 Best Hotels on Cape Cod: Where to Stay on the Cape
• 10 Best Hotels on Nantucket: Where to Stay for a Nantucket Getaway
• 25+ Fun Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard

The Ultimate New England Road Trip Map (2-3 weeks)

The map below includes all of the destinations I’ve outlined above.

In need of some extra New England road trip ideas? If you’re limited on time, check out my Northern and Southern New England road trip itineraries. These are ideal for 5 day, 7 day, or 10 day New England road trips. Your own personal planning maps are below!

Northern New England Road Trip 7-10 Day Itinerary

• Woodstock, VT
• Waitsfield, VT
• Lincoln, NH
• Portland, ME

Here’s a great New England road trip route if you just don’t have time to go everywhere, but you want to see the highlights of northern New England. In any trip you’ll have to make some choices about what to see and what to miss, sadly, but with this road trip itinerary, you’ll definitely have a broad experience of Northern New England.

This one week New England itinerary contains many of the same stops you’ll find on the ultimate version (that covers all six states). But this one also has the addition of Woodstock, Vermont, which is a classic New England spot, really a ‘Currier and Ives town.’

Southern New England Road Trip 7-10 Day Itinerary

• Provincetown, MA
• Newport, RI
• Providence, RI
• Stonington, CT
• Litchfield Hills, CT
• Gloucester, MA

The Southern New England road trip route is ideal for those who really seek a coastal trip, or who aren’t quite as interested in exploring the mountains. This trip adds a whole bunch of extra stops so you can really dive into coastal New England.

It gives you a feel for the more outdoorsy areas of these southern New England states, too, as the itinerary brings you through the Berkshires, and through charming parts of Connecticut. Definitely an option for a lovely New England summer road trip itinerary.

Shorter Scenic Drives in New England

Are you just looking for a short scenic route that allows you to see dramatic coastal cliffs, mountainscapes, scenic countryside, and more of New England’s charm?

Whether you’re looking for fall scenic drives in New England, beautiful routes along the coast, or just a short yet pretty New England drive, you might just find what you’re looking for on this list of short, scenic drives in New England.

Scenic Drives in New Hampshire

The Coastal Byway (Route 1A)

Location: Portsmouth to Seabrook 

Distance: 18.5 miles 

Where to Stop:  

• Hampton Beach
• Surf Portsmouth , Portsmouth 
• Strawbery Banke Museum , Portsmouth

Robert Frost Scenic Byway

Location: Southern New Hampshire

Distance: 43 miles (The Old Stagecoach Byway and the Robert Frost Byway combined) 

Where to Stop: 

• Robert Frost Farm State Park , Derry 
• Civil War Memorial, Chester
• Matthew Thornton House, Derry 
• Town Beach, Hampstead

New Hampshire Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway)

Location: Conway to Bath

Distance: 56.39 miles 

• Sabbaday Falls 
• Albany Covered Bridge 
• Swift River Lower Falls  
• Russell-Colbath House 
• Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook

The Lake Winnipesaukee Loop

Location: The Lakes Region 

Distance: 97 miles

• George’s Diner , Meredith 
• Mt. Major Trail, Alton 
• Dewey’s Ice Cream Parlor and Cafe , Center Harbor 
• Cotton Valley Rail Trail , Wolfeboro 
• Abenakee Tower , Tuftonboro

Scenic Drives in Maine

• Moosehead Lake

Location: Kennebec and Moose River Valley

Distance: 59 miles

Where to Stop:

• Lily Bay State Park
• B52 Crash Site
• Mount Kineo
• Stress Free Moose Pub & Cafe

U.S. Coastal Route 1 

Location: Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor

Distance: 200 miles

• Goose Rocks Beach , Kennebunkport
• Portland Head Light , Cape Elizabeth
• Old Orchard Beach Boardwalk, Old Orchard Beach
• The Holy Donut, Portland
• Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland
• Jordan’s Restaurant , Bar Harbor

Acadia All American Road from Trenton to Acadia

Location: Trenton to Bar Harbor

Distance: 40 miles

• Thunder Hole
• Bar Harbor Inn & Spa

Scenic Drives in Vermont

Location: Wilmington to Jay 

Distance: 184 miles

• Molly Stark State Park, Wilmington
• Dot’s Restaurant , Wilmington
• The Vermont Country Store ,  Weston
• Green Mountain Sugar House ,  Ludlow
• Moss Glen Falls, Granville
• Ben & Jerry’s Factory , Waterbury
• Cold Hollow Cider Mill ,  Waterbury Center
• Trapp Family Lodge ,  Stowe

Route 9 – The Molly Stark Byway

Location: Brattleboro to Bennington 

Distance: 40.1 miles

• Vermont Country Deli , Brattleboro
• Creamery Bridge, Brattleboro
• Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, West Marlboro
• Hogback Mountain Scenic Lookout, Wilmington
• Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington
• The Apple Barn and Country Bakeshop – Bennington

Location: Bennington to Burlington 

Distance: 122 miles

• The Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington
• The Robert Frost Stone House Museum , Shaftsbury
• Cider donuts at the Equinox Valley Nursery , Manchester
• Downtown Murals, Rutland
• Woodchuck Cider , Middlebury
• The Burlington Waterfront – Burlington
• Church Street/Downtown – Burlington

Rhode Island Scenic Drives

Ocean drive.

Location: Fort Adams Park to Bellevue Ave

Distance: 10 Miles

• Castle Hill Lighthouse
• Brenton Point State Park
• Fort Adams Park
• The Breakers
• Marble House
• Rough Point
• The Red Parrot Restaurant

Scenic Drives in Connecticut

Connecticut state route 169.

Location: Norwich to Woodstock

Distance: 36 miles

• Lisbon Meadows Park, Lisbon
• Prudence Crandall Museum , Waterbury
• New England Center of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn
• Roseland Cottage , Woodstock

Connecticut Shoreline Drive

Location: New Haven to Stonington Borough

Distance: about 80 miles (depending on which routes you take!)

• Eat in Little Italy, New Haven
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
• Harvey’s Beach, Old Saybrook
• Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
• Mystic Aquarium, Mystic

Scenic Drives in Massachusetts

The berkshires.

Location: Stockbridge to Williamstown

Distance: 35 miles

• Norman Rockwell Museum , Stockbridge
• Berkshire Botanical Garden,  Stockbridge
• The Mount, Edith Wharton House , Lenox
• Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
• Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock
• Mount Greylock , North Adams
• Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art , North Adams
• Williams College – Williamstown

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway

Location: Gloucester to Newburyport 

Distance: 24 miles

• Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester
• Crane Wildlife Refuge, Essex
• Eat at the Clam Box , Ipswich MA
• Plum Island Beach, Newburyport
• Maudslay State Park, Newburyport

Wrapping Up this Northeast Road Trip

I hope this New England travel guide has given you all the information you need to help you plan a trip to the region’s most exciting and gorgeous places. With multi-day options to choose from and choices that are great for every season, I have aimed to cover all of the top places to road trip throughout these six amazing states.

Even more resources for your New England adventures: 🍁 25 Fantastic New England Day Trips 🍁 Hidden Gems in New England: 15 Secret Places to Visit 🍁 Best Fall Foliage New England Tours Worth Your Money

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New England Wanderlust

Connecticut , Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island , Vermont  ·  November 8, 2022

The Best 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary (+ 5 & 10 Day Options!) 2024

Having traveled through the entire New England region for 15+ years, I’ve been able to get a strong understanding on the best things to do, and I’m so thrilled that I’ve finally developed my ultimate 7 Day New England Itinerary to share with you!

A 7-day itinerary to tour New England has been one of my most requested topics, and I totally understand why. It’s so hard to look at a region comprised of 6 gorgeous states, and try to figure out what’s worth your time, and what you can leave out. Well, good news – I’m taking the guess work out for you. In all my years of traveling through this region, I’ve cherry-picked what I think is the best route to take to plan the perfect road trip in 7 days.

While I think everything is pretty much worth your time in New England (I’m a bit biased!), this itinerary focuses on the best of the best, and also takes into consideration efficiency so you have as much time as possible to also enjoy your destinations.

This itinerary is also geared toward those who are visiting New England for the first time. With that, let’s get into it, shall we?

New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please refer to our  Privacy Policy .

How Many Days Do You Need In New England?

You can easily spend anywhere from a few days to a month in New England, so this entirely depends on how much time you really have to dedicate to your trip. This post will prove that you can easily see some of the best things in this region with my 7 Day New England road trip itinerary.

But, that said, more is always more when it comes to time to travel, right? 😉 So of course, you can easily turn this itinerary into a 10-day adventure, or even two weeks. Under my 10 Day New England road trip itinerary option later in the post, you’ll see that I’ve made notes on side excursions where you can easily add in a day or two to extend your trip even further.

And of course, you can definitely see some of the best places in just 5 days, and I’ve included a 5-Day option at the very end for those who don’t have as much time (and don’t worry, it’s still pretty great!).

My motto is always, “Even if I just have one day, it’s better than not going at all,” so whatever time you have for your trip with definitely be worth it. I’m excited to cheer you on as you plan your trip 😊

Where To Start A 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary?

For any road trip through this region, Boston is the best place to start, especially if you’re flying in. Boston Logan International Airport typically offers the cheapest flights to this area, and is also a worthy destination to explore on its own.

Not only that, this city also incredibly convenient to most places in New England, and is centrally-located in the region, and therefore, is just the easiest starting point. For that reason, pretty much all of my itineraries on this website start in Boston because after years of experience, I’ve found this to be the absolute best option.

If you’re not flying in, however, and already live in this area, or are driving in from nearby, Boston is still a great starting point ( especially if you’ve never been!). But you can definitely adjust this itinerary to start from anywhere in New England that best suits your needs.

The only time I would suggest using a place like Portland, Maine as your starting point if if you plan to really only explore the northern areas of New England, like the rest of Maine or New Hampshire. But even in that case, Boston is still just as convenient, so it will then simply depend on personal preference at that point.

7 Day New England Road Trip Overview

Day 1: Boston – New England’s biggest and most exciting city!

Day 2: Woodstock – Vermont’s most beautiful town.

Day 2 Alternative Option : Skip Woodstock, and stay an extra day in Boston, with a day trip to Salem if you’d like.

Day 3: The White Mountains in New Hampshire – Home to breathtaking mountain views, and New England’s highest peak.

Days 4-5: Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park – One of the most charming coastal towns in New England, and the spectacular views in the park make this destination worthy of two nights.

Day 6: Drive to Portland, Maine , with optional stops along the way.

Day 6 Alternative Option : Stay the night in a smaller coastal town if that’s more your speed!

Day 7: Head back to Boston , with some great stops along the way.

Notes About This Itinerary

→ For some stops along this route, I also suggest other options to really help you create the ultimate road trip for you based on your preferences. So keep an eye out for those, and get ready to take some notes!

→ This 7 Day New England road trip itinerary also follows a true road trip style , meaning you’ll be in a different town each night of your stay (with one exception, which is Bar Harbor). You can certainly tweak that to your liking if you prefer to stay in one place for two or more nights – do what feels right for you.

→ Lastly, this itinerary was intended to show you around all the different landscapes New England has to offer, so I wanted to include a mix of urban, countryside, mountains and coastal to show you the very best of it all. I also focused on locations that are largely perfect to visit year-round, so seasonality was not factored in.

Day 1: Boston

Boston is one of my all-time favorite cities, and as mentioned, it’s the absolute best place to start your road trip – especially if you’re flying in. I love that it feels like an exciting city, but is also incredibly charming, historic and packed with character. There’s just something very cozy about it, and it’s most definitely worth spending a day exploring during your 7 day New England road trip.

An alternative option, depending on how tired you’ll be once you arrive, is to tack Boston on at the very end. In this case, you’ll want to immediately depart for Woodstock once you arrive, and then spend your last day in Boston (but follow this itinerary for everything else in order).

Here are some awesome things to consider doing on your day in Boston:

• Walk the Freedom Trail: this group tour is an excellent choice!
• Meander through my two favorite neighborhoods: Beacon Hill & the North End.
• Stroll along the waterfront areas – the Charles Esplanade is especially beautiful.
• Walk through the Public Gardens – the bridge is such a great spot for gorgeous photos.
• Eat, eat, and then eat some more. The culinary scene in Boston is incredible, and seafood here is a specialty.
• In fact, take a food tour for the inside scoop on all the best places: here are my favorite food tours in Boston .
• Grab some cannoli at Mike’s Pastry.

Hotel suggestions in Boston:

Splurge: Boston Harbor Hotel . A 5-star waterfront hotel that’s more than worth the splurge to kick start your amazing road trip through New England. The location is also convenient to a lot of attractions.

Moderate: Revere Hotel Boston Common . I stay here a lot when I visit Boston. It’s a great location that’s walkable to a lot.

Budget: HI Boston Hostel . Boston is typically an expensive city to visit unless you’re coming in the winter, and this hostel is a great option to save some money during your stay. It also has an awesome location.

Day 2: Woodstock, Vermont (2h 15m From Boston)

Why Woodstock Next? No trip to New England is complete without a stop in a charming Vermont town, and Woodstock is the best of the best when it comes to idyllic scenery and character. It’s also home to “Vermont’s most beautiful address,” which I’ll tell you about under the suggestions on where to stay.

Woodstock has a wonderful town center, where you’ll find independent shops, cafés, and restaurants, covered bridges, farms, and it’s also surrounded by beautiful rural scenery once you drive outside of town. It’s the perfect option for this itinerary if you’re hoping to get a glimpse of Vermont.

Here are some awesome things to do in Woodstock, VT:

• Meander through the most adorable village where all the shops and restaurants are. This part of town is entirely walkable, so park and enjoy!
• Visit the three covered bridges: Middle, Taftsville and Lincoln.
• Explore Billings Farm & Museum.
• Taste local maple syrups and cheeses at Sugarbush Farms.
• Take a drive to Farmhouse Pottery, just outside of the town center, which is now a famous ceramics shop – they have a studio on-site where you can watch artisans at work, or you can book a pottery session with them!

Psst! I have an entire post all about the best things to do in Woodstock, VT , if you’d like more ideas and info 😉

Where to stay in Woodstock, VT :

Luxury option : Woodstock Inn & Resort (Vermont’s most beautiful address!). It’s a splurge, but located right in town, and the perfect way to treat yourself for a 1 night stay.

Moderate: 506 On The River Inn . Very beautiful hotel that’s right on the river and feels cozy.

Budget : The Vesper . A cute little B&B with modern rooms, great prices, and walkable to the village.

Insider Tip s: Woodstock tends to be an expensive place to visit, so if you’re on a budget, the nearby town of Quechee is a great alternative, and is only about 15 minutes from Woodstock. Quechee is also very cute and I love visiting both towns when I’m in the area.

Also, if you visit in the fall during foliage, or your stay happens to be on a weekend, some of these hotels may have a 2-night minimum stay requirement, so keep that in mind.

Alternative Option: If you would prefer to spend 2 nights in Boston and skip Woodstock, you can most definitely do that. Boston is a great place for day trips to other nearby areas, including Provincetown on Cape Cod, as well as Salem. A ferry will take you from Boston to Provincetown, and to Salem, so you still won’t need to pick-up your rental car right away if you choose this option. These ferry options are seasonal, so plan accordingly.

→ Click here to check out ferries from Boston to Provincetown

→ Click here to check out ferries from Boston to Salem

Psst! I have some helpful guides including planning the perfect Salem, MA day trip , and the best time to visit Salem if you need more information 😉

Day 3: The White Mountains, New Hampshire (1h 30m From Woodstock)

Why White Mountains Next? They’re on the way to Acadia National Park (which is the next stop!), and they’re very worth your time ( especially if you’re traveling in the fall season). The White Mountains are home to a great mix of cute towns, epic mountain views, and amazing parks or hiking and scenic drives.

While the White Mountains doesn’t necessarily offer that New England charm you’re probably expecting, I still think this region is worth visiting on your way to Acadia for the reasons mentioned above. The drives through the White Mountains National Forest, and Crawford Notch State Park is so beautiful, and offer such a well-rounded perspective of New England’s beauty, when you combine this region with all the other coastal stops on the rest of this itinerary 😉

Here are some awesome things to do in the White Mountains:

• Explore Franconia Notch State Park , and with 1 day, I suggest prioritizing Flume Gorge, which is perfect for all ages, and one of the most popular attractions in the entire state that’s worth your time.
• If you’re looking for a fun hike, the Artist Bluff Trail offers incredible views of Echo Lake.
• Ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to the mountain’s summit for awesome views.
• Explore The Basin, which is very close to Flume Gorge, and is very quick and easy.

Where to stay in the White Mountains? I highly suggest Littleton . It’s a charming little town with awesome shops and restaurants (it’s often regarded as having one of the best Main Streets in the U.S.!), and it’s also very close to some of the top must-see things from my list above, making it super convenient and efficient for 1 day.

However, I have an entire detailed post on where to stay in the White Mountains , if you’re looking for more of a breakdown of the towns, and my hotel suggestions.

Hotel suggestions in Littleton :

Thayers Inn : Located right on Main Street in the heart of downtown, and very cozy. Keep in mind that this is a historic hotel, so they’re not able to make a lot of modern updates, so it’s not for everyone – but I really enjoyed my stay here and appreciated how it felt like I was stepping back in time!

Hampton Inn : A nice option that’s on the commercial side of town, but very close to the highway to get around quicker.

Pro Tip: You’ll drive right past Hanover, NH on your way from Woodstock, which is home to Dartmouth College, and is a really adorable little town to stop in for lunch, or to take a driving break. Right in the same area is Norwich, VT, which is home to the King Arthur Baking Company campus , and is a really fun spot to pick up some baked goods (especially breads and pastries!) and also have lunch outside on their lawn.

Here are some posts you may find helpful while you plan your time in the White Mountains:

• Things To Do In Franconia, NH
• Things To Do In Littleton, NH
• Things To Do In Lincoln, NH

Days 4-5: Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor (4h 30m From The White Mountains)

Why Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Next? Acadia is one of the most incredible and iconic destinations in the Northeast, and definitely one of the best places to visit in New England . Even though it’s pretty far north, it’s so worth it for the stunning views. I’ve budgeted two nights here because your drive from the White Mountains to Acadia is a bit longer, and because Acadia just warrants extra time.

Also, Bar Harbor, I think, it’s such a quintessential coastal New England town filled with character. The town is small, and very walkable, and you’ll get some nice views of the bay and harbor just by walking along the town’s waterfront.

There’s also opportunities for boat tours from town, great restaurants to choose from, and of course, quick access to Acadia!

Here are some awesome things to do in Acadia National Park for a short trip:

→ Walk Ocean Path , which connects Sand Beach to the Otter Cliffs. This is the perfect scenic walk to tackle with a short amount of time because it’s easy, and offers some of the best and most iconic views of the coastline.

→ Thunder Hole is along Ocean Path, so you’ll pass right by it if you walk this trail. If you’re there on a windy day, the waves will crash so loudly that it sounds like thunder. Otherwise, it’s just a scenic overlook that’s still worth a stop.

→ If you’d like to tackle a hike, a nice one for a quick visit to the park is Great Head . This starts at Sand Beach, and is pretty easy (with some rock scrambling at the beginning), but offers incredible views along the way). After this, you can walk back across Sand Beach and do the Ocean Path for the perfect day in Acadia.

→ Lunch at the Jordan Pond Restaurant is also really fun, and a more relaxing way to spend some of your time in the park. It’s open seasonally only, so plan accordingly, and is famous for their popovers, and incredible views of the famous Bubble Rocks.

→ Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain is one of the most popular things to do, and definitely worth your time! This location is one of the first places in the U.S. to watch the sunrise, and it’s the actually first sunrise spot between October 7 through mid-March. This is another great reason to spend two nights here. Note : Reservations are now required when taking the auto road to Cadillac Mountain’s summit mid-May through October . Click here for more info!

→ Cover more ground by renting E-bikes to explore the park!

→ Click here for more info on renting E-bikes for your trip to Acadia

Psst! I have a few posts on Acadia that you may find helpful, including:

• My Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary
• The Best Time To Visit Acadia National Park
• Visiting Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park In The Winter

Where to stay while visiting Acadia National Park? Bar Harbor! This lovely little coastal town is the gateway to Acadia, and where most people stay when exploring the park. This is another reason why I’ve given you two days because Bar Harbor is also a worthy town to explore on its town.

Hotel Suggestions in Bar Harbor :

Bar Harbor Inn & Spa : Located right on the waterfront in town, it’s a great place to stay for walkability to town, and if you’re looking for the best amenities and a nicer place to stay.

Bar Harbor Villager Motel : An awesome motel in the center of Bar Harbor’s village, with spacious and updated rooms, and walkable to everywhere in town. I like to stay here when I plan to spend most of my time hiking in the park, and just need a cozy place to crash at night.

Pro Tip : When driving from Littleton to Acadia, I suggest driving to Lincoln, NH first, and then taking Route 112 to Conway, which is the famous Kancamagus Scenic Highway. This drive takes you through the heart of the White Mountains with some really nice overlooks to stop at, and only adds 30 extra minutes to your drive (plus extra time for any stops you make).

Pro Tip : The Kancamagus Scenic Highway does not have bathrooms, gas stations or cell service, so plan accordingly!

Day 6: Portland, Maine (3h From Bar Harbor)

Why Portland Next? Not only is Portland a very cool city with lots of history and an awesome culinary scene, it’s also on the drive back toward Boston. Portland has a great mix of urban vibes and authentic fishing port scenery, so it offers the best of both worlds, too.

Here are some awesome things to do in Portland:

→ See all 3 of Portland’s lighthouses . If you only have time for one, however, make it Portland Head Lighthouse. This is one of the best lighthouses in New England, and definitely worth your time! But keep in mind that the other two lighthouses (Bug Light and Spring Point Ledge Light) are a very short drive away, so it’s easy to see all three in a few hours at most.

→ Take a tour! This culinary walking tour of the city is a great way to enjoy the best food, and this tall ships cruise around the bay is an awesome scenic option to get the most out of your visit.

→ Go beer tasting . Portland is home to some of the best breweries in New England, and the city has tons of them. I have an entire guide on my favorite breweries in Portland, Maine , if you’d like some suggestions 😉

→ Wander through Old Port , the most historic and charming part of the city.

Hotel Suggestions in Portland:

Splurge : The Press Hotel . It’s right on the water and in the center of Old Port, making this an awesome hotel to splurge on for a fancier stay in Portland.

Moderate: Cambria Hotel . Also in the Old Port district, this lovely hotel has modern rooms and a great location.

Budget: Black Elephant Hostel . Portland tends to be a pricey city to visit, and even though this is the only hostel in the city, it’s incredibly well-regarded, and will be significantly less expensive than a hotel.

Pro Tip : If you would rather spend your first day in Portland exploring the city, you can do the lighthouses the next morning on your way back to Boston. The lighthouses are located outside of the city’s downtown in South Portland, which you’ll pass through on your drive to Boston.

Optional stop to make on the drive : There are some wonderful towns to explore on the drive from Bar Harbor to Portland, and I detail my favorites to suggest in my guide on driving from Portland, Maine to Acadia National Park . Many of these stops will add extra time to your drive, but depending on your road trip style, they may be worth it for you!

Day 6: Alternative Option: Stay In A Smaller Coastal Town Instead

If staying in a city isn’t exactly your speed, and your goal is to visit more of the smaller towns along the coastal, well I’ve got you covered. And honestly, that’s usually my preference, too 😉 While I love Portland, and think there’s some very cool things to see there, one of the best parts of New England is the charming smaller towns to explore.

My favorites to suggest for this road trip are: Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport, and Ogunquit.

Boothbay Harbor is a wonderful, charming little town on the water, and has a more fishing village vibe to it. Lots of awesome boat tours depart from here, too.

Kennebunkport perfect encapsulated New England coastal beauty with a wonderful town center called Dock Square, and beautiful coastline near the beaches and on Cape Porpoise.

Ogunquit is also very idyllic, and is known for having one of the best beaches in New England. I love the walkable downtown that’s also walkable to the beach. Ogunquit also has one of my favorite things to do in all of New England: the Marginal Way coastal walk.

All of these places will make a great place to spend a night on this road trip if you’d prefer a small coastal town over staying in a city like Portland.

Psst! I have detailed guides that may help you decide, which are the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor , and the best things to do in Ogunquit .

Day 7: Back To Boston With Stops Along The North Shore (2h Without Stops)

Why The North Shore Next? As you make your way back to Boston, you’ll drive down the Massachusetts North Shore, which is packed with gorgeous and charming little coastal New England towns . These towns are all pretty close to another, too, which makes it easy to stop in quite a few during your drive. These towns are actually some of my favorites in all of New England.

Here are some more towns you can choose to stop in on your drive back to Boston:

→ Portsmouth, NH – while not technically part of the North Shore, it’s along the route, and a very beautiful coastal city with awesome shopping and restaurants.

→ Newburyport, MA – Some of the best shopping in New England can be found here in Market Square and Tannery Marketplace. It’s also home to Plum Island.

→ Rockport, MA – One of my all-time favorite coastal towns because it’s so unique and loaded with character. This one is a bit of a detour off the main route, but not by much (and worth it, in my opinion).

→ Salem, MA – Most known for its Halloween celebrations, but is a very beautiful and charming city that’s awesome year-round.

→ Marblehead, MA – An underrated town that’s very beautiful and historic, and loaded with gorgeous coastline.

Where you choose to stop will largely depend on how much time you have, and I honestly think they’re all worth your time! Of them all, I think I prefer Rockport the most, as I think it has the most unique scenery,, but you can’t go wrong with any of the places I mentioned above. I’ve been to them all, and continue to visit them all regularly 😉

Here are some posts that will help you plan your drive down the North Shore:

• Best Things To Do On Cape Anne (part of the North Shore)
• Best Things To Do In Marblehead, MA
• Best Things To Do In Rockport, MA
• Best Stops To Make Driving Boston To Portland, Maine
• Best Things To Do In Newburyport & Plum Island

Alternative option : If you didn’t stop in Ogunquit or Kennebunkport the night before, these two coastal towns are also worthy of your time!

10 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

With 10 days for your New England road trip, we can pack even more exciting places to visit into your itinerary!

I’ve broken down this 10 Day New England road trip itinerary for you below, and since many of the same stops are included, I’ve done a more abbreviated version. You’ll want to refer to the above 7 Day Itinerary for all the important information. But don’t worry! I’ve included all my pro tips for the new additions to this option, too.

Days 1-2 : Boston , with an optional day trip to Salem, Provincetown or a whale watch tour from Boston’s Harbor. Since you have the extra day, I suggest taking a day trip to one of these 3 destinations, but if you would prefer to relax and explore the city even more, you can do that, too.

Day 3 : Newport, RI .

Why Newport, RI Next? It’s only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Boston, and such a beautiful coastal town to visit in New England. Because of its location, it makes it easy to squeeze into a 10-day New England itinerary, too.

Here are some suggestions of awesome things to do in Newport, RI:

• Explore Cliff Walk.
• Tour the stunning Gilded Age mansions.
• Have lunch at Cliff House.
• Take this awesome morning mimosa boat tour in Newport!
• Explore the city by trolley, which includes The Breakers mansion!

Psst! I have a detailed guide on the a Newport, RI day trip , which is helpful for 1-night stays, too 😉

Newport, RI hotel suggestions:

Splurge: The Cliffside Inn , which is walkable to Castle Hill Lighthouse, pictured above!

Moderate: Mill Street Inn , which is in a historic building that’s walkable to a lot of places downtown, including the waterfront. They also have a great rooftop patio!

Day 4 : Woodstock, VT

Days 5 : White Mountains, New Hampshire

Day 6-7 : Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor

Day 8 : Boothbay Harbor, ME

Why Boothbay Harbor Next? As mentioned, one of my favorite little coastal towns in Maine is Boothbay Harbor because it’s loaded with charm and character, and offers so many incredible opportunities to get out onto the water with boat tours. Of all the places you can stop at on your way from Acadia to Portland, this is one of my favorites.

Here are some wonderful things to do in Boothbay Harbor:

• Take this awesome boat cruise to see seals, lighthouses and a lobster haul tour!
• Stroll through the adorable downtown area.
• Take in the views from the footbridge.
• Have a delicious lobster roll at Shannon’s Unshelled.

Hotel Suggestion in Boothbay Harbor:

The Harborage Inn on the Oceanfront is my favorite place to stay in Boothbay Harbor. The location is perfect and walkable to town, but set back enough so that it’s very peaceful. If you can, splurge on Room 8 for panorama views of the water (it seriously feels like you’re floating on water).

Day 9 : Portland, ME

Day 10 : Back to Boston, making stops along the North Shore on the way.

A lternative suggestion : If you wanted to skip Woodstock, VT for this option, you could add an extra day in the White Mountains. You could also skip Woodstock and add a night in the North Shore on your drive back to Boston. For this option, I would suggest Newburyport.

Do I still think Woodstock, VT is worth the excursion? Yes! But an extra day in the White Mountains or a night in the North Shore may appeal more to some of you, too. Do what fits your preferences the most 😊

I love Newburyport because it’s a wonderful balance between charming coastal town and historic shopping village. It pretty has much something for everyone, including a beautiful waterfront park, the nearby Plum Island for beaches and nature trails, and some of the best shopping in New England. For this particular itinerary, I think it’s a great option because it’s also the furthest north, and will break up your trip nicely.

Here are some fun things to do in Newburyport:

• Induldge in some retail therapy in Market Square and Tannery Marketplace.
• Walk the path in the Waterfront Park.
• Explore Maudslay State Park .
• Drive to Plum Island to see the beaches and the nature trails at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

Newburyport hotel suggestion:

Compass Rose Inn is the best place to stay in Newburyport and feels like a big, warm hug when you arrive. In a beautiful and historic home, and each room is a suite with a fireplace. It’s also walkable to town, and a complimentary breakfast is included.

5 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

Don’t have 7 or 10 days for a New England road trip? No problem! Having put a lot of thought into the best 5 Day New England itinerary, you can easily make this a jam-packed road trip style trip, or a more relaxing getaway that allows you additional time at each destination, but doesn’t get to as many places. Not sure which is right for you? I’ve outlined both to help you decide.

As before, refer to the first 7 Day New England road trip itinerary option for more detailed information on each destination.

5 Day Road Trip Itinerary From Boston

Day 1 : Boston

Day 2 : The White Mountains, New Hampshire

Day 3-4 : Acadia National Par k

Day 5 : Drive back to Boston , stopping at the Portland Lighthouses, and 1-2 towns along the North Shore region on your way.

5 Day Relaxed Itinerary From Boston

Days 1-2 : Boston. Two days will allow you to settle in and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

Pro Tip : If you’re not flying into Boston (ie, you’re driving in), you don’t have to stay right in Boston. You can definitely stay in a cute nearby town like Salem or Gloucester, and then take a day trip to Boston for a more relaxing getaway.

Days 3-4 : Newport, RI & Mystic, CT. From Newport, Mystic, CT is only about a 1-hour drive, which makes this an easy and relaxing afternoon excursion that’s stress-free.

Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Mystic, CT , if you need more ideas 😉

Day 5 : Back to Boston, with stops in either Plymouth and Scituate on the way back (or both!). These two towns are south of Boston, and more convenient to visit when driving from Newport. I love them both, and they offer lots of charm, shopping, dining and beautiful sites to see. Of the two, Scituate is smaller with fewer things to do, but very beautiful.

Alternative suggestion 1 : Stay right in Boston for all 5 days, and take day trips! Since Boston is in such a great area, it’s very easy to get around. And as mentioned before, you can take a ferry to Provincetown on Cape Cod, or over to Salem, and you won’t need a car for either of these two excursions.

Alternative suggestion 2 : Stay in Boston for 2-3 nights, and spend 2-3 nights on Cape Cod with a day trip to one of the islands (Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard). This option will be very coastal, and provides you with some of the best beaches and coastal towns in Massachusetts.

Here are some posts that may help you if you like this option:

• Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
• Best Things To Do In Provincetown, MA
• Cape Cod Day Trip Guide
• Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide
• Nantucket Day Trip Guide
• Is Nantucket Or Martha’s Vineyard Better For A Day Trip?
• How To See Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car

Alternative suggestion 3 : Stay in Boston for 2 nights, and then drive to the North Shore for 2 nights, and then maybe Portland for 1 night. Just north of Boston, the North Shore region includes Salem, Marblehead, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Newburyport. All of these towns are pretty close to another another, and it would be easy to pick one to stay in, and take afternoon trips to the others.

Portland is also within 1 hour and 30 minute at the most from these towns, making it easy to pop over for the day, or a night.

Best Way To Get Around New England

The best way to see New England is definitely by car. If you fly in, I suggest renting a car from the airport to begin your road trip. If you plan to spend a day or two in Boston before beginning the road trip, I would say to hold off on renting your car until you’re ready to leave Boston.

Boston has an awesome public transit system, and Uber and Lyft are readily available, so a car will be more of a hassle to park in the city.

What To Pack For A New England Road Trip

This will, of course, depend on entirely on the time of year you visit, as New England is a four-season climate. I always suggest checking the weather reports a few days before leaving to get a more accurate idea of what the weather and temperatures will be like.

I love to remind people that New England can be moody and weather can change frequently. Even in the summer, you could have chilly days, and in the winter, you might experience a warm day. Although, generally speaking, you’ll find it’s pretty much what you would expect of a four-season climate: A wet and rainy spring, a warm or hot summer, a chilly fall, and cold and snowy winter.

Here are a few suggestions and tips on packing for a New England road trip that you not have thought of:

→ A reusable water bottle to reduce single-use plastic.

→ Dramamine if you plan to do any boat tours, and you’re prone to seasickness.

→ Day pack for essentials like your water bottle, camera, sunscreen, etc.

→ Comfortable shoes for exploring towns. Keep in mind that places like Boston, Nantucket, and historic small towns often have uneven cobblestone or brick streets.

→ Hiking boots if you plan on doing any hikes.

→ In general, plan to keep your clothes fairly casual. New England can be fancy if you plan a special dinner out, but is overall pretty casual. Take a look at your specific plans and eliminate any extra fancy outfits that you likely won’t need. You probably won’t need any if you don’t plan to dine out anywhere upscale.

→ Light jackets or sweaters for mornings and evenings (even in the summer!).

→ Waterproof jacket and boots if you plan to visit in the spring or fall.

→ Don’t forget your camera! You may also want to consider an iPhone tripod with a remote shutter to elevate your travel photos from selfies to wall-worthy shots. This one on Amazon is inexpensive and perfect for the average traveler!

New England Road Trip FAQ

Is new england easy to drive around.

Very! Of course, you’ll experience traffic when you’re close to, or in, a city like Boston or Portland. In that case, it’s just like driving in any other city. But overall, New England is very easy to drive around.

One thing I like to remind people is that in the more rural places, you will likely drive on a lot of dirt roads, so just be careful of any pot holes and go slowly, especially in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Is It Safe To Take A Winter New England Road Trip?

Yes! As long as you’re comfortable driving in the snow, you’ll be totally fine. Chances are, if you’re visiting in the winter, you’re excited to check out places like New Hampshire or Vermont, and those two states are among the top 3 snowiest in the whole country. So, just know that you will experience snow, and you’ll definitely be driving in it.

But generally speaking, most places are great at plowing roads, so unless you happen to visit during one of our big nor’easter storms, driving is easy. Just practice normal precautions, and don’t drive if the snow is coming down really hard.

I have an entire guide on all my favorite New England winter getaways , if you’re looking for the best winter destinations in this region.

Is Cell Service Reliable All Over New England?

Yes and no, and it depends on where you’re going. For the most part, cell service is completely reliable, and Google Maps will be able to take you everywhere.

However, in more remote places, again like in Vermont or New Hampshire, or even along the coast at some lighthouses or in Acadia, you will lose cell service more than you think! I highly recommend offlining maps for your entire route just to be safe . I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost service while driving in VT and NH and didn’t offline maps, only to very much regret it in the moment!

Why Is Connecticut Not Part Of Your Itineraries?

I love Connecticut! But the hard thing about it is its location. It’s so far southwest, in the exact opposite direction of Acadia National Park, and most of the other top destinations to visit. And since Acadia is one of the most amazing New England locations that everyone should see when they visit, I had to exclude Connecticut from the itinerary options only for the sake of time. I personally think Acadia, and the other places I’ve mentioned, offer much higher payoff for your driving time than destinations around Connecticut.

That’s why I was only able to squeeze in a quick afternoon trip to Mystic, CT in the 5-day option.

What About A Fall Foliage Road Trip?

I’ve got you covered! I have an entire post on the perfect New England fall road trip , which is one I’ve perfected over many years of exploring this region in the fall season. This road trip makes stops in similar places, but has more of a focus on the best places for foliage.

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

• Best Things To Do In New England
• Best Time To Visit New England
• Incredible New England Resorts & Spas
• Best Boston Hotels Near The Aquarium
• Awesome New England Gifts & Things To Buy During Your Visit
• Best Christmas Towns in New England
• Best New England Day Trips
• Summer In New England: Best Places To Go & Things To Do!
• Best Beach Towns In New England
• Things To Do In Boston In The Fall
• Gorgeous New England Islands Worth Visiting
• My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary

That’s A Wrap On The Best 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

Hopefully you’re now feeling ready to tackle planning your own adventure with this 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary! Even with 7 days, you can see so much of this gorgeous region and really cover a lot of ground. And, of course, if you have time to follow along on my 10 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary, that’s even better. But regardless of what you have time for, New England is always a good idea, and is always worth making time for. Happy planning!

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7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary for Summer or Fall (With 5 & 10 Day Options)

Trying to plan a 7 day New England road trip itinerary that takes you across the best of the Northeast?

Our New England itinerary starts in Rhode Island and finishes off in the heart of Vermont, and includes a mix of city life, nature, active pursuits, and delicious food!

Throughout, you will find tips so you can customize it to a shorter 5-day trip or a longer 10-day trip.

Whether you are traveling with kids over the summer or doing a romantic New England fall foliage trip , this is filled to the brim with fun things to do on the East Coast.

Table of Contents

New England Itineray Summary

• Duration: 7 days
• Distance: Approximately 1,300 miles
• States Visited: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, plus Quebec and Montreal.

How We Set Up This New England Road Trip itinerary

New England is home to some of the most beautiful drives in the US. You could do multiple variations of a 7 day New England itinerary.

On this trip, we started and ended in Providence, Rhode Island.

We have also done New England Road trips from Boston to Cape Cod and Newport Rhode, Island, and a New England fall foliage road trip around Western Massachusetts.

On the 7 day New England Road Trip below, we have included two options for day one so you can start in Providence or Boston. Both are great choices.

If you only have 5 days in New England , you can drop the portion in Canada to save time.

If you are doing a New England Fall Road Trip , you will want to swap out Block Island and add more time in New Hampshire.

Finally, if you can do a 10-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary , you’ll be able to do it all!

We’ve tried to make it easy for you to pick and choose so that you can plan for the duration you want and the New England states you want to visit. Each day has hotel options and the best activities too.

7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary For Summer or Fall

This New England itinerary was designed to see the diverse landscapes, cities, and towns that this region has to offer. So, expect a mix of urban, countryside, coastal, and mountain experiences.

While this northeast road trip is done in a true road-tripping style where you spend one night in every place, you can cover less distance and spend more time getting to know each place.

Day 1: Arrive in Providence and Do a Block Island Day Trip (Drive time 1.5 hours plus ferry)

Starting from Providence Airport, head straight to the Block Island Ferry in Point Judith, a 45-minute drive. The fast Block Island ferry is an easy, 1-hour trip and it’s nice to get out on the water.

With gorgeous beaches, historic lighthouses, nature walks, and a cute downtown, Block Island, also known as New Shoreham, is one of the most charming places to visit during summer in Rhode Island.

It also happens to be the smallest town in the smallest state!

The best way to explore Block Island is by renting bikes. Island Moped and Bike Rental is right across from the ferry port. Then you can cycle around to see everything that Block Island has to offer.

Head to the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge for one of the most unique and beautiful places on the island or go sailing or kayaking on the Great Salt Pond for more adventure.

In reality, we spent one night and two days on Block Island. Here are the best 12 things to do on Block Island including where to eat and stay.

For the purposes of a 7-Day New England itinerary, you can do a Block Island day trip and spend the night back in Providence. If you have enough time, stay overnight and add an extra day to your trip.

• Hotel: Block Island Beach House  (8.3) or Atlantic Inn (9)
• Activities : Self-guided Island Bike Tour

READ NEXT: BEST THINGS TO DO FOR A DAY TRIP TO BLOCK ISLAND

Alternate Day 1: Boston, Massachusetts (Drive time 1 hour)

Another great place to start and end a one week New England itinerary is Boston. We’ve had a few great East Coast trips with the kids and highly recommend Boston as a great family destination.

Boston is a rather compact city packed full of history and things to do for families or couples. One of the best things to do in Boston is follow the Freedom Trail on your own or by booking a tour guide (highly recommended).

This trail goes to the most historic places in Boston, from the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was first read, to Paul Revere’s medieval-style house.

Have fun shopping on Newberry Street and at Faneuil Hall. Then visit Boston Public Garden where you can ride the historic swan boats. A Duck Boat City Tour was a huge hit with our kids and they loved the New England Aquarium .

• Hotel: The Verb Hotel  (9.3) or The Newbury Boston  (9)
• Activities : Freedom Trail: Small Group Tour or Boston Duck Boat City Tour with Charles River Cruise

Day 2: Portland, Maine (Drive time 1.75 hours)

Stop 1: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Leave Boston early and stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for breakfast at The Friendly Toast . Then walk around the cute downtown and Portsmouth Clock Tower square.

Stop 2: Kennebunkport, Maine

Another way to break up the drive is to stop in Kennebunkport . The highlight in Kennebunkport is the beach, and you can also catch a sneak peek of the Bush Compound .

Portland, Maine

When you arrive in Portland, take a Guided Portland City and Lighthouse Tour or visit Downton Portland on your own (don’t miss the Portland Museum of Art ), and drive out to see the Portland Head Light – one of the best lighthouses in Maine.

We opted to experience an extraordinarily beautiful day on the Casco Bay on the Lucky Catch Cruise , a highlight of our New England road trip.

In addition to learning everything there is to know about lobstering, we saw four lighthouses, including the Portland Head Light, the Casco Bay islands, and the historic Old Port district.

We had a seafood lunch at DiMillo’s On the Water. Since Portland has a great food scene, you might prefer to try one of the hot spots like Hot Suppa , Twelve , or Bar Futo .

• Hotel: The Press Hotel (9.1) or Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown (8.6)
• Activities : Portland City and Lighthouse Tour or Lucky Catch Cruise

Which reminds us, you have to try a lobster roll in Maine! We actually stayed in Freeport for the night, 20 minutes outside of Portland and had lobster Rolls for dinner at the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company .

If you are driving with kids, stop at the LL Bean Store in Freeport. They have fun interactive displays, and the store is massive if you need any gear.

Day 3: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

The drive from Portland to Bar Harbor takes 3 hours. Break it up with a stop for lunch in Camden. It takes 1.75 hours to get there and then 1.75 from Camden to Bar Harbor. If you stay in Freeport, knock 20 minutes off these times.

Stop 1: Camden, Maine

Camden is one of the loveliest seaside towns in New England. It has a laid-back feel and a super charming downtown with delectable restaurants and boutiques.

We had the famous blueberry pancakes at Marriner’s Restaurant for breakfast. For a delicious seafood lunch overlooking the bay, try The Waterfront . Then walk around and check out a few shops before heading to Bar Harbor.

If you want to stay overnight in Camden, there are fantastic restaurants for dinner like Franny’s Bistro or 40 Paper and you’ll have time for a Windjammer Classic Sail on Penobscot Bay or the Mount Battie hike in Camden Hills State Park .

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor is the gateway to the mountains and cliffs of Acadia National Park, one of the most beautiful places in New England and a must-see on a Boston to Maine road trip.

Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain is the top thing to do in Acadia National Park , when the weather cooperates. For us, it was rainy for sunrise but cleared up before noon, so we were able to enjoy the spectacular vistas.

This area is great for kids because the mountain is very gently sloping and they can run all over.

Make sure to stop at Jordan Pond House on the Park Loop Road. They have delicious popovers and a beautiful setting outside on the lawn overlooking a very scenic lake with small Maine wild blueberries growing everywhere.

Our final adventure of the day was rock climbing with Atlantic Climbing School at the Otter Cliffs . It was our first time and our guide helped all four of us successfully get to the top. It was a blast!

For dinner, Side Street Cafe has Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and of course lobster rolls. Then head to CJ’s Big Dipper for a blueberry and vanilla swirl soft serve ice cream. They have vegan options too.

• Hotel: Sand Bar Cottage Inn (9.3) or Holiday Inn Bar Harbor Regency Hotel  (7.7) for the big pool.
• Activities : Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, or Rock Climbing

Day 4: Kennebec River, Maine River Rafting (Drive time 2.75 hours)

As you leave the quaint streets of Bar Harbor, the next part of the journey takes you through the heart of small-town USA, where main streets are lined with historic buildings and mom-and-pop shops exude local charm.

We wanted to go to Quebec City, but the drive from Bar Harbor is 5.5 hours. With a little research, we found a hidden gem in the heart of Maine where the Kennebec River and Dead River meet. The area is called The Forks.

To get there, you will traverse the scenic route of Highway 201 through Maine’s countryside to reach The Forks, where adventure awaits, and you can experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River.

Kennebec River Rafting

We chose Crab Apple Whitewater for our rafting excursion. They were very professional. The Class III and IV rapids were much more vigorous than our other experiences, but super fun and fine with the kids.

The guides take you to the bottom of the Harris Station Dam where the daily water release provides a consistently thrilling ride on the Kennebec River. We all had smiles plastered on our faces for a full hour of non-stop action.

The second half of the trip was floating down a calmer part of the river and enjoying our magnificent surroundings on a perfect sun-filled day.

At the end of the rafting, the Crab Apple team made a delicious barbecue lunch followed by a highlight reel of the trip.

Since rafting is only a half-day excursion, the staff told us about a terrific hike to Moxie Falls , one of Maine’s tallest waterfalls. It’s an easy and beautiful hike.

What started as a way to break up a 5.5-hour drive turned out to be a highlight of our New England Road Trip! If you do this trip and don’t want to go to Canada, we still recommend Maine river rafting on the Kennebec.

• Hotel: Crab Apple Whitewater Lodge (you can book lodging when you book your rafting trip)
• Activities : Kennebec River Rafting, Hiking to Moxie Falls

Day 5: Quebec City, Canada (Drive time 2.5 hours)

With a very European feel, Quebec City has a charm to it that makes you feel like you could amble around the streets and sit in sidewalk cafes for hours.

We were only here for one day but ended up walking around for hours checking out the city. The highlights included Château Frontenac , Dufferin Terrace , Place Royale with the mural of Quebecers, and the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec.

From an adult point of view, we also loved the stunning interior of the Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec and the view of Rue du Petit Champlain from the Breakneck Steps.

The Old Port has a vibrant atmosphere with unique boutiques and lots of delectable restaurants. The delicious farm-to-table restaurant Chez Muffy is a must.

We also enjoyed Paillard’s coffee and pastries and the Beef and bacon poutine from La Souche Microbrasserie. Our kids were mesmerized by the display of candy at Bec et Bonbon.

• Hotel: Our Full Guide to the Best Quebec City Hotels
• Activities : Quebec City Walking Tour and a Half-Day Trip to Montmorency Falls if time allows

Day 6: Montreal to Burlington, Vermont (Drive time 4.5 hours)

We had to work one long drive day into our East Coast road trip route. It’s a 4-hour drive from Quebec City to Burlington, Vermont, so we broke up the drive with a pit stop for lunch in Montreal.

In Montreal, we only stayed long enough for a walk down the cobbled streets of  Old Montreal  and lunch at Jardin Nelson. If you have enough time, check out the trendy  Mile End  neighborhood and stay overnight at Hôtel William Gray .

From there, head for Burlington to begin the final stretch of your 7-day New England road trip itinerary. 

In Downtown Burlington, the big draws are  Lake Champlain  with Waterfront Park and the  Burlington Bike Path , and the  Church Street Marketplace , a pedestrian street with restaurants, shops, entertainment, and plenty of people watching.

We wanted to do the  Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour . Honestly, who wouldn’t want to drive hours out of your way for ice cream? We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, the flavor graveyard, and our free sample of Late Night Snack.

• Hotel: Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain (7.5)
• Activities : Old Montreal Walking Tour and Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

Day 7: Vermont (Drive time 2.5 hours)

Vermont is one of the most scenic destinations for a New England road trip in fall, but it’s also stunning in summer and has so many options if you

We kicked the day off early at Shelburne Farms , an educational working farm in Vermont. We chased around chickens, milked a cow, saw the cheese-making process in action, and bought maple syrup.

Surprisingly, it was a hit for the whole family and I was worried because it seemed more like a little kid activity than something good for teens.

Then, we hit Dorset Marble Quarry , the oldes in the US from 1785, where my husband and the boys dared each other from one cliff jump to the next. There are cliffs at various heights that are great for all ages.

Hildene was next, where even history-averse kids are intrigued by the old Lincoln family artifacts and the sprawling gardens. Then the cool Chiselville Covered Bridge was Vermont picture perfect.

We wrapped up the day staying at Hill Farm Inn where they have animals you can feed, a swimming pool, big grassy lawns for a picnic or sitting by the fire, and a lounge area with a pool table.

• Hotel: Kimpton Taconic Hotel (8.8) or Hill Farm Inn – Manchester (9.2)
• Activities : Shelburne Farms, Dorset Marble Quarry, and Hildene

Day 8: Vermont to Providence or Boston (Drive time 2.5 hours)

The last day had a 3 hour drive back to the airport. It’s almost the same drive time whether you go to Boston or Providence. Since we knew we had a lot of car time, we had a last hurrah at Bromley Mountain Adventure Park .

We had a blast ziplining and riding the alpine slide. The kids also hit the waterslide, a bungee trampoline, and played a round of mini golf. It was the perfect way to let loose before a long drive..

You’d think all of this adventure would be enough, but the one thing we didn’t have time for was kayaking and tubing on the Battenkill River . We could have easily used an extra day in Vermont.

• Activities : Bromley Mountain Resort

How many Days do You Need for a New England Road Trip?

You will see that this New England tour can be tweaked to fit either a 5 day (more of a Boston to Maine road trip) or 10 day New England trip that adds more adventure and scenery – especially if you’re visiting in fall.

This entirely depends on how much time you have. Easily, you could spend a month driving around this region. But, this New England road trip for 7 days will take you to the best places and things to do in the region in just a week.

How to Make This a 10 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

If you have more time for your trip, a 10-day New England itinerary will allow you to go at a slower pace or add on some amazing destinations like White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire – especially if it’s a fall road trip.

We did two separate one week New England road trips.

Our trip was in summer so we visited Newport, RI to do the famous Cliff Walks that combine ocean vistas and historic mansions into a 3.5 mile recreational walk. Then we spent 2 days on Block Island .

It’s really easy to scale up this exact itinerary by starting with an overnight in Block Island and adding Boston instead of doing one or the other. Then just add one more day wherever you want.

I personally would add an overnight in Montreal. An extra day in Vermont or the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where you can go hiking or ballooning, would be amazing too, especially for fall foliage.

How to Make This a 5 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

If you don’t have time for a 7 day New England tour, a 5 day trip will still allow you to see plenty of nature sites, cities, and charming towns.

To do this as a 5-day New England road trip, skip Quebec and Montreal. You might also want to skip Acadia National Park because it’s a long drive, albeit worth the trip.

Here are two 5-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary Ideas:

Boston, Cape Cod, & Newport

• Day 1: Boston
• Day 2: Boston
• Day 3: Cape Cod
• Day 4: Newport, Rhode Island
• Day 5: Block Island

Boston, Maine, New Hampshire, & Vermont

• Day 2: Portland, Maine
• Day 3: New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Kancamagus Highway
• Day 4: Burlington
• Day 5: Green Mountains, Vermont

Best Time to Visit New England

May through October are the best months to visit New England. The warm days of summer, although humid, invite you to hike, swim along the coastline, take boat rides, and enjoy the outdoors.

Late spring is a great time to see wildflowers and the region bursting with a lively atmosphere while the weather isn’t too hot.

Fall road trips in New England are highly recommended to see stunning foliage. The northeast is home to some of the best fall views in the world.

Tips for a New England Road Trip with Kids

When we decided to take a trip to the East Coast, we thought a New England road trip would be a great way to sample all that the area has to offer.

The only issue was how to keep the kids to be happy in a car. That’s a tall order for children who say, “Are we there yet?” after only 30 minutes across town.

1. How to Get The Best Deal

When road-tripping with a full family, flying into a city that has good flights and rental car deals , AND good hotel prices , can save you a lot of money. Look at all three variables for the perfect starting point.

For this trip, we had a choice of multiple airports. Skyscanner is great for finding flight deals.

I wanted a small SUV since we would be in the car for so many days. Check prices on Discover Cars . We’ve gotten the best deals recently through them.

Providence had great hotel deals by the airport, which we needed because the flight we chose landed at 11:30 pm. So, we decided our New England tour would begin and end there.

2. Plan a manageable driving route.

Since we had time for a 10-day New England road trip and wanted to include Canada, we needed to change locations every day. My goal was to keep drives between 1-3 hours.

Knowing those were my parameters, I looked for things to do or places to stop that fit within those guidelines.

3. Know Your Audience

Fun New England activities were the key to keeping our travelers happy. Rock climbing, river rafting, and lobstering were great outlets for all their energy.

If you have kids that have a hard time sitting still, make stops where they can move their bodies. With kids who like a slower pace, a day at the beach might be more fun. For kids that love animals, stop at a farm.

4. Include Your Kids in the Planning Process

With group road trips, you’ve got to make compromises. Plan to see and do things that keep everyone interested, including YOU, instead of just focusing on the kids.

Our New England tour was 2 parents and two boys, 11 and 15 years old. Traveling with an 11-year old is easy as long as you don’t make them sit in the car too long and you do kid-oriented stuff.

15-year-olds can be hard to please and moody. It’s good to include them in the planning process because they are very capable of picking things that they would like to see or do.

5. Download audiobooks

I have never enjoyed being in a car so much! We took one of our son’s required summer reading books and killed two birds with one stone. You can download your first digital book for free on audible.com with a trial membership.

If not audiobooks, look for podcasts that fit a theme your family loves, whether it be science, history, pop culture, or travel. Or just make sure everyone has headphones and can do their own thing.

Final Thoughts About a 5, 7, or 10-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

A combination of scenic beauty, tons of history, and lovely towns and cities – a 7-day New England itinerary takes you to all the top destinations and tucked-away gems that a northeast road trip can offer.

A 10-day itinerary allows you to cover a larger area or spend a few nights in each place. Finally, a 5-day New England Fall Road Trip is an ideal amount of time to see the beautiful landscapes and foliage.

Whether cruising the coast of Rhode Island, checking out lighthouses in Maine, or seeing the foliage of Vermont, eating tons of fresh seafood, cozy accommodations, and meeting friendly locals, a New England road trip is filled with fun.

Get ready for nature, history, and soaking in the laid-back vibes with this New England road trip itinerary, the ultimate getaway to unwind and explore.

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The Ultimate 10 Day Northeast USA Itinerary (+ 1 and 2 week options)

Thinking of visiting the Northeastern Region of the USA? Look no further than this 10 day Northeastern USA travel itinerary.

The Northeast region of the United States is a beautiful and historically rich area that offers a ton of unique travel experiences. Whether you’re interested in exploring bustling cities, enjoying the great outdoors, or soaking up some American history, there’s something for everyone in the Northeast.

With so many incredible destinations to choose from, planning the perfect itinerary can be overwhelming. But don’t stress, in this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of planning your Northeast USA travel itinerary. We’ll cover all the must-see destinations, the best times to visit, and plenty of tips to help you make the most of your trip.

From the stunning fall foliage in New England to the towering skyscrapers of New York City, the Northeast has it all. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an outdoors enthusiast, the Northeast is sure to exceed your expectations. So block out your calendar and get ready to explore the very best that the Northeastern USA has to offer!

First a note: these itineraries all start in New York because for international travellers that’s typically the cheapest place to fly in and out of with the most airports and flight options. However, if you’re already in the USA or not concerned about flight costs, it would make sense to start at Boston (the northernmost point on the itinerary) and work your way south or vice versa.

How to get around the Northeastern USA

This itinerary is designed so that you can do it either as a 10 day Northeast USA road trip or travel by bus or train if you prefer not to drive. I’ve personally done it both ways and can tell you the trains are the easiest and most affordable way to get around in the Northeast.

All of the destinations on these itineraries (including the 1 and 2 week options) are along Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train route so you don’t even need to worry about train connections. Most trains stations in the Northeast are right in the center of each city, so you can walk straight off the train and start exploring.

The 10 Day Northeast USA road/train trip itinerary

Days 1-3: new york.

There’s no better place to start a USA road trip than the Big Apple, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of…. While you can (and I have) easily spend a week or more in NYC, 3 days is a good amount of time to see the highlights and get a taste.

It can be overwhelming to know where to start so to make it easy I recommend dedicating one day to each of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Day 1 – Midtown Manhattan: Start your day in Times Square, the bustling heart of Midtown Manhattan. There’s no better place to take in the bright lights and energy of the city. Here, you can shop at the many stores and boutiques (don’t miss the 3 storey M&Ms store) and grab breakfast or coffee at one of the many cafes.

From there, head to the  Empire State Building , where you can take in breathtaking views of the city from the observation deck. Next, visit the iconic Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest train stations in the world and a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture.

End your day with a visit to Central Park, the iconic park that spans 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan. Here, you can have a picnic, go for a jog, rent a boat, or simply relax and people watch. It’s not advised to do a carriage ride as some horses may be mistreated.

Day 2 – Downtown Manhattan: Start your day in Battery Park, where you can catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You have the option of either the free Staten Island Ferry that goes past Liberty Island or the  paid Statue Cruises that lets you get off on Liberty Island, I’ve done both and the paid version is worth the money.

Afterward, take a stroll through the historic Financial District, where you can see the New York Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull statue, and the extremely moving 9/11 Memorial.

If you’re keen for more views you can head up the One World Trade Center Observatory, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

End your day with a stroll through the trendy neighborhoods of SoHo and Greenwich Village, where you can shop, dine, and people-watch to your heart’s content.

Day 3 – Brooklyn and Uptown: On the last day in NYC, make your way across the Brooklyn Bridge, walk around the waterfront with its panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, get your photos in DUMBO and eat your way through Time Out Market.

If you have extra time, explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or visit the Brooklyn Museum, which houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world.

Then spend the afternoon taking in thousands of years of art at The Met and seeing how the other half live on the Upper East Side.

From there, take a subway ride up to Harlem, where you can explore the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage, visit the famous Apollo Theater, and grab dinner at one of the many soul food restaurants.

To help save money on attractions, try a  Go City pass . They have 2 and 3 day all-inclusive passes that would be perfect for this itinerary –  click here to see how you can save .

Finally, don’t forget to make time for plenty of pizza slices, bagels, pretzels and hot dogs!

• Luxury:  Kixby
• Mid-range:  Hotel Indigo Downtown
• Budget:  HI USA Hostel

Click here to compare NYC accommodation prices on Booking.com

Day 4-5: Boston

Drive: 220 miles – approx. 3.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Moynihan Train Hall – approx. 4 hours

After the craziness of New York, head up north to the relative calm of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston is a city steeped in history and culture but despite its historic nature the crazy number of universities in Boston means the city has a very young, fun vibe. With world-class museums, delicious food, and beautiful parks, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.

Start your trip with a walk along the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route that takes you through some of Boston’s most important historic sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s House, and the USS Constitution Museum. Along the way, you’ll learn about the events leading up to the American Revolution and the role Boston played in shaping the country’s history.

There are plenty of  walking tours available  but I’d recommend just downloading an audio guide for the Freedom Trail and going at your own pace. And don’t miss the Boston Public Library, it might not be on the Freedom Trail but it was my favourite spot.

Next, head over to the Museum of Fine Arts, where you can explore over 450,000 works of art from around the world. The museum’s collections range from ancient artifacts to contemporary art, and there’s something for every taste and interest.

If you’re a sports fan, make sure to catch a game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. And if baseball isn’t your thing, try an ice hockey game, I can promise it will make for a memorable experience.

For foodies, Boston is a paradise with both fresh New England seafood and quality Italian cuisine on offer. Make sure to try the city’s signature clam chowder and lobster rolls as well as Boston cream pie (go to Omni Parker House for the original version), and cannoli from Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry in the North End.

Finally, take a stroll through the beautiful Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country. With over 50 acres of green space, the park is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the city’s natural beauty.

On your second day in Boston, head out to Cambridge to see the Harvard campus (students run  walking tours ) and try some of the fun student bars.

If you have extra time, you can take the train out to Salem to explore the witchy museums and filming locations. It’s only a short ride from North Station or you can take a  day tour from Boston . 

• Luxury:  The Liberty Hotel
• Mid-range:  Revolution Hotel
• Budget:  Found Boston Common

Click here to compare Boston accommodation prices on Booking.com

Day 6: Providence/Newport

Drive: 50 miles – approx. 1 hour

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Back Bay or South Boston and local bus to Newport – approx. 2 hours total

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the USA, might not be on every Northeast itinerary but it’s very much worth a visit.  

Providence itself is quite a small town with a very compact city centre. There are a couple of decent things to do in Providence itself, including visiting the Rhode Island State Capitol – unlike the one in DC, here you’re allowed to just wander around at will and see all the rooms – and the Brown University campus.

However, the number one reason for coming to Providence is because it’s the gateway to Newport, which you’ll want to dedicate most of the day to seeing. 

Newport is a beautiful seaside town full of cute boutiques and restaurants, but its biggest draw is the Gilded Age mansions.  These homes are straight out of The Great Gatsby, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of America’s wealthiest families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These grand estates are designed to feel very like European palaces with grand ballrooms, ornate gardens, and stunning ocean views. You can tour these mansions and learn about the families who lived there, including the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans. I recommend picking 2-3 and using the audio tours which are included with your tickets and are super informative.

While you’re in Newport check out the Cliff Walk, a stunning (but windy) hike along the ocean. Warm up afterwards with a hot chocolate or some of the famous New England clam chowder.

• Luxury:  The Beatrice
• Mid-range:  Graduate Providence
• Budget:  Courtyard by Marriott Providence Downtown

Click here to compare Providence accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 7-8: Philadelphia 

Drive: 300 miles – approx. 4.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Providence – approx. 5.5 hours

When in Philadelphia, the must-visit attraction is Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. To visit, you’ll need to book tickets through the National Parks website several weeks (ideally months) in advance of your trip as numbers are strictly limited and security is tight.

Even if you miss out on tickets to Independence Hall you can still line up to go see the Liberty Bell across the street and wander through the remains of George Washington’s house.

Next head across town to another of Philadelphia awesome free attractions, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This beautiful neoclassical building boasts works from van Gogh and Monet, among many many others.

Finish the day with a visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary, one of the most famous and haunted prisons in the world. The prison’s notable inmates, include Al Capone and the bank robber “Slick Willie”. If you’re brave enough, sign up for the night tour to discover the spookiest stories from the prison’s history.

Start your second day in Philadelphia with a visit to the Museum of the American Revolution , where you can learn about the events leading up to the American Revolution and the impact it had on the country and the world. The museum features interactive exhibits, including a replica of a colonial-era privateer ship and Goerge Washington’s tent. We enjoyed the short talks from the educators explaining the artefacts in each room.

If you’re a really dedicated fan of America history you can also head over to the Betsy Ross House, where the first American flag was allegedly sewn and take a guided tour of the house to learn about the life of Betsy Ross and the history of the flag.

For lunch head to the Reading Terminal Market, one of the oldest and largest public markets in the country. This is a food’es paradise and the place to go to try local dishes including Philly cheesesteaks, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, and Amish donuts.

If you haven’t succumbed to a food coma then spend the rest of the day strolling through the historic district and waterfront, where you can see many other historic sites, including Franklin Court, site of Benjamin Franklin’s home.

• Luxury:  The Franklin on Rittenhouse
• Mid-range:  The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square
• Budget:  Apple Hostels of Philadelphia

Click here to compare Philly accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 9-10: Washington DC

Drive: 150 miles – approx. 2.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Philadelphia 30 th  Street – approx. 2 hours

There’s no better place to wrap up your vacation in the Northeast United States than in the nation’s capital: Washington, D.C.

One of the best things about visiting D.C. is how much you can do for free. The city is home to countless museums, galleries, monuments, and historic buildings that are open to the public.

However, one important piece of advice: it’s essential to plan ahead and book your visits. Many places will book out months in advance, and even those that allow some walk-ins will often require you to spend a long time queuing outside which is no fun in the heat/wind/rain.

If you’re hoping to tour the White House, don’t expect it to be easy. The booking process requires US residents to apply through their local congressman process. The White House website suggests that foreigners can apply through their embassy, but we found that our embassies weren’t even taking bookings.

The Capitol, on the other hand, is much easier to get into, you do need to book but they can get large numbers of visitors through in a day so it’s not hard to get tickets. The Capitol is a must-do. You can’t see in the actual Senate or House chambers but the beautiful rotunda and National Statuary Hall are well worth it in themselves, we loved seeing the statues each state had chosen to donate.

Continuing on the must-see attractions in D.C., walking along the National Mall is a must. This beautiful parkland features the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and a variety of other monuments and memorials.

If you’re an art lover, don’t miss the National Gallery. This beautiful museum houses tons of amazing artworks including one by Leonardo Da Vinci. Whatever your interests, D.C. is sure to delight and inspire you with its wealth of cultural and historic offerings.

• Luxury:  Eaton DC
• Mid-range:  Lyle DC
• Budget:  Hotel Harrington

Click here to compare DC accommodation prices on Booking.com

Alternative: 1 week Northeast USA itinerary 

This shortened itinerary is very action-packed, suited to fast-paced travellers and those who want to see as much as possible in one trip. 

• Philadelphia
• Washington DC

Alternative: 2 week Northeast USA itinerary 

This extended itinerary fits even more in, while also allowing some extra time in the top destinations for those who prefer to take things at a slower pace. 

• Providence/Newport

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Northeastern USA

True to the name, the Northeast covers the area from the Canadian border in the North down to (depending on who you ask) Washington DC on the Virginia border and inland as far as the Ohio border including 11 states.

To avoid the summer crowds and the freezing Northeastern winters, the best time to visit is in late spring (May-June) and early fall (October-November), these are also good times to catch the cherry blossoms or the fall foliage respectively.

For a first-time visitor, 10 days is enough time to see the highlights of the American Northeast but if you can stay a full 2 weeks you’ll get to see even more.

In Short: 10 Days in the Northeastern USA

It’s hard to narrow down the best parts of the Northeast to a short itinerary as there’s so much to see and do and there’s no wrong way to see this part of the USA. Hopefully, these Northeast USA itineraries give you some inspiration to get started!

For more USA travel inspiration, check out these articles:

• East Coast Road Trip Itinerary
• One Week in Los Angeles Itinerary
• Best Midwest Holiday Destinations

Happy travelling!

USA Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Find tickets for attractions and awesome day tours on Viator
• Save $$$ on attractions in NYC, LA, Miami and more with a Go City Pass
• Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
• Sort your US dollars with a Wise currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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2-Week Northeast Coast Road Trip Itinerary For Families: NYC To Acadia National Park

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Get excited for this 2-week Northeast Coast itinerary for families from NYC to Maine! Whether you want to hike in Acadia National Park or see the iconic attractions of NYC, this article covers some of the best places for families on the Northeast Coast. Kids will love hiking through scenic landscapes, visiting fun museums, or stopping for dessert at iconic mom-and-pop shops. You can also choose a few of these places to stop during your road trip or you can separate this itinerary into different vacations. Either way, we’ve gathered a list of things to do with kids, as well as where to stay and other tips for taking a Northeast Coast road trip with kids. Keep reading to plan your next epic adventure with kids on the road! 

Day 1: New York City (Midtown Manhattan)

Of course, New York City is an iconic start on any Northeast Coast road trip itinerary for families! If you only have a few days to see the city, we recommend at least three to stop at all the highlights. 

Midtown Manhattan is a hotspot for shopping and entertainment, so we definitely recommend a little bit of both! Kids will love the toy shops located around Rockefeller Center, like FAO Schwarz . If your child has an American Girl Doll or wants one, you can’t miss the American Girl Place . Meanwhile, gamers can visit The Lego Store on 5th Avenue or the Nintendo Store . Parents will find plenty of luxury stores on 5th Avenue, ranging from Saks to Versace. 

Afterward, see a local show in Midtown. Of course, the area is famous for Broadway , which boasts kid-friendly classics such as The Lion King and Frozen. To see a more casual show, buy tickets for The Gazillion Bubble Show . Young kids will love this interactive spectacular! If you want somewhere to eat a late breakfast or lunch, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which features a singing waitstaff, is a favorite among families. 

Additional/Alternate Activity: Visit Famous NYC Landmarks

Instead of shopping on your Northeast road trip itinerary for families, you can see some of New York City’s famous landmarks. Start on 34th Street and 5th Avenue at the Empire State Building for a 360-degree city view. Families can even book a Premium Historical Tour to get a better look at the behind-the-scenes.

Then, go to Bryant Park , which offers family fun no matter the season. You can go ice skating in the winter, visit the Christmas market, or ride Le Carousel . Nearby, there’s the main branch of the New York Public Library. Even if you don’t go inside, appreciate the sheer size of the ornate building. Kids can take pictures with the lion statues! Afterward, you’re just a few blocks from Times Square , an attraction for all ages. Little kids will love all the flashing lights and the opportunity to meet their favorite characters like Elmo or Mario! 

Purchase your CityPass NY here as it will give you discounted admission to the Empire State Building!

Looking for more NYC inspiration? Read this Exciting 7-Day NYC Itinerary With Kids of All Ages .

Day 2: New York City (Upper West Side or The Battery)

Manhattan’s Upper West Side is the next stop on our Northeast road trip itinerary for families with kids! First, head to the American Museum Of Natural History , a must-visit for young or elementary school-aged children. Kids will love looking at the dinosaur fossils, watching stars twinkle in the Hayden Planetarium , and seeing the giant blue whale in the main area!

Children who want to challenge their creativity can’t miss the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on West 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. Here, you’ll find a variety of hands-on exhibits, as well as an outdoor section. History buffs may also fancy a visit to the New York Historical Society. Inside, you’ll find a special section dedicated to kids between the ages of eight and thirteen called the DiMenna Children’s History Museum.

Parents with younger kids may want to consider seeing a show at the Swedish Marionette Theater on 79th Street and Central Park West. 

Additional/Alternate Activity: The Battery

Want to enjoy quality time by the waterfront? Head to The Battery , formerly known as Battery Park. Kids will love taking a spin on the Seaglass Carouse l or cooling off in the Bosque Fountain!

The Battery is also an access point for boats going to The Statue of Liberty , so it’s ideal for families who want to see both places. About a fifteen-minute walk away, you can visit One World Trade Center, and then the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It may not be a suitable stop on an NYC itinerary if you have young kids, but older kids will appreciate it.

Additional/Alternate Activity: SoHo

SoHo is known for its shopping, culture, and incredible dining scene. Shops like Adidas , The North Face , and Uniqlo are usually popular with families. Little ones will also love getting their hands dirty at the Sloomoo Institute , where they can touch different kinds of slime and even make their own. Of course, nothing says interactive museum quite like the Museum Of Ice Cream ! 

Day 3: New York City (Upper East Side + Central Park)

If you have teens who love art or history, Museum Mile is a must when visiting NYC with kids. Spanning 82nd Street to 105th Street along 5th Avenue, this crowded stretch is famous for its string of world-class institutions. Of course, you should start with the Metropolitan Museum of Art , also known as the largest museum in the United States. You can see anything from Egyptian artifacts to modern art in its huge collection!

Meanwhile, European art is in abundance at the Neue Galerie New York . Get your daily dose of modern art at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum . Then, see art in an upscale mansion at the Frick Collection . Or, visit the Jewish History Museum. Families can also visit El Museo Del Barrio on 104th Street to learn more about New York’s diverse culture. Nearby, The Museum of the City Of New York gives a great backstory on the city. 

Additional/Alternate Activity: Central Park

If you have extra time on your Northeast road trip itinerary for families, visit Central Park . It’s huge, so you could easily keep exploring beyond what we’re mentioning here. Or, combine a trip to Central Park with the Upper West Side – there are multiple entrances near 79th Street and 64th Street and Central Park East. Of course, kids will adore the Central Park Zoo , home to a Snow Leopard section, a Grizzly Bear Overlook , and a Polar Circle , among other habitats. Also located along East 65th Street, ride the famous Central Park Carousel . 

Want to visit a playground with your kids? Head to the Ancient Playground near East 86th St and 5th Avenue, the Billy Johnson Playground near 67th Street, or the Heckscher Playground on 65th St.

Additional/Alternate Activity: Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic NYC attraction! Though many people choose to start on the Brooklyn side and proceed to Manhattan, you could do the opposite. You’ll still get the same great views, but with fewer crowds, as you make your way to Brooklyn. 

Once you reach the other side, stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park to overlook the waterfront. Here, you’ll find playgrounds for kids, the Environment Education Center , and Jane’s Carousel. Then, you can walk around Dumbo, and maybe take a picture on the iconic Washington Street with the bridge in the background. If you’re hungry for a bite to eat, visit Grimaldi’s Pizzeria for a brick oven pie. 

Where to Stay in New York City with Kids

In Lower Manhattan, we recommend the Millennium Downtown New York Hotel or the trendy Greenwich Hotel . In Midtown Manhattan, try the Loews Regency New York , Omni Berkshire Place , or the St. Regis New York . Remember to check out other NYC hotels with pools and spacious suites. NYC also has lots of affordable Vrbos in and around the outer boroughs.

Day 4: Newport, Rhode Island

Distance from nyc to newport: 3 hours.

Continue your adventure in Newport, Rhode Island, known for its luxurious mansions, seaside views, and delicious seafood! It’s around three hours from NYC in the car, and then you’ll be less than 1.5 hours away from Boston. 

For breakfast, we recommend Hungry Monkey , a local favorite known for its classic diner fare and friendly service. Then, start your morning by touring one of Newport’s many luxurious mansions, like The Breakers or The Elms . Kids will marvel at the grand architecture and lavish interiors while learning about the history of Newport’s elite families.

After touring the mansions, take a stroll along the Cliff Walk. This scenic trail follows the coastline for 3.5 miles, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and passing by several historic landmarks, including The Breakers and Rough Point. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the designated picnic areas along the trail. If it’s warm when you visit, you could also spend the afternoon at Easton’s Beach . (Kids will also love riding the vintage carousel!)

Afternoon Activity: Newport Harbor

Families can spend the afternoon in the Newport Harbor area on a sailing cruise. Several companies offer family-friendly sailing excursions that provide an unforgettable experience on the water, with opportunities to see historic lighthouses, marine wildlife, and beautiful coastal scenery. 

Then, visit the Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum , which celebrates the history of tennis through interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and a Hall of Fame gallery showcasing the sport’s greatest players. Kids can test their skills on the outdoor grass courts or try their hand at virtual tennis simulations! 

Evening Activity: The Black Pearl, Thames Street

For dinner, head to the Newport waterfront and dine at The Black Pearl. This iconic restaurant offers fresh seafood and New England classics in a charming setting overlooking Newport Harbor. Try their famous clam chowder or lobster roll for a taste of local cuisine.

To end your night, walk along Thames Street, Newport’s main thoroughfare lined with shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Stop by Ben & Jerry’s for some delicious ice cream or treat kids to a trip to Newport Creamery or Newport Fudgery ! 

Here are 16 Fantastic Northeast Coast Summer Destinations Families Will Love !  

Day 5: Boston, Massachusetts (New England Aquarium, Freedom Trail, North End)

Distance from newport to boston: 1.5 hour.

Spend at least two days of your Northeast Coast road trip itinerary for families in Boston, known for its historical attractions, museums, and fantastic food! It’s around an hour and a half from Newport, plus it’s near our next stop on this trip, Salem. 

Fuel up for the day with a delicious breakfast at Mike’s City Diner , a beloved local spot known for its classic American breakfast fare. Then, check out the New England Aquarium. Kids will love the various exhibits showcasing marine life from around the world, including the Giant Ocean Tank, home to a vibrant coral reef and a variety of tropical fish. After the aquarium, stroll along the scenic Boston Harborwalk. Enjoy views of the waterfront and watch the boats sail by as you make your way to Quincy Market for lunch! 

Afternoon Activity: Quincy Market, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

For lunch, families can explore the food stalls at Quincy Market to eat anything from lobster rolls to pizza. After lunch, head to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Here, you can step back in time to December 16, 1773, and relive the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party through interactive exhibits and live reenactments. Kids can even participate in tossing tea overboard from a replica tea ship! 

You can also walk the Freedom Trail , a 2.5-mile-long path that passes by 16 significant historic sites in Boston, including Boston Common and the USS Constitution Museum . Eventually, you can make your way to the Paul Revere House in the North End, stopping at landmarks like the Massachusetts State House and Faneuil Hall along the way.

Evening Activity: Dinner In The North End

For dinner, head to the North End, Boston’s historic Italian neighborhood, and dine at Giacomo’s Ristorante. This cozy trattoria is known for its delicious pasta dishes and generous portions, perfect for hungry families. After dinner, indulge in some homemade gelato from one of the nearby gelaterias. 

Don’t miss adding these 25 Amazing Things to Do in Boston with Kids to your itinerary!

Day 6: Boston, Massachusetts (Museum of Science, Charles River Esplanade, Beacon Hill)

For breakfast on the second day of your Boston itinerary for families, head to Flour Bakery + Cafe , a local favorite known for its freshly baked pastries and gourmet sandwiches. After, spend the morning at the Museum of Science.  With interactive exhibits covering topics like biology, physics, and space exploration, there’s plenty to keep both kids and adults entertained. Grab a quick bite to eat at the museum’s café or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy by the Charles River Esplanade.

Afternoon Activity: Boat Ride Along The Charles River

After lunch, take a boat cruise along the Charles River. Several companies offer sightseeing cruises that provide stunning views of the Boston skyline and iconic landmarks like the Prudential Tower and the Longfellow Bridge. Alternatively, for a distinctive experience, try a Duck Tour , which offers a combined land and water journey. These amphibious vehicles traverse both the historic streets of Boston and then splash into the Charles River, providing a fun and informative tour that highlights the city’s rich history and unique architecture.

. Once you’re done, you can explore Boston’s historic neighborhoods on foot, like Beacon Hill and Back Bay . Admire the elegant brownstone homes, stroll through the picturesque Public Garden, and window shop along Newbury Street.

Evening Activity: Seaport District 

For dinner, head to Legal Sea Foods in the Seaport District. This iconic Boston seafood restaurant offers a wide selection of fresh seafood dishes, including lobster, clam chowder, and oysters. After dinner, take a stroll along the Harborwalk to enjoy the twinkling lights of the city skyline reflected in the water.

Where To Stay In Boston With Kids

Boston has plenty of family-friendly hotels! For the most convenient locations, stay at the Fairmont Copley Plaza , the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel , or the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. All boast kid-friendly amenities such as pools and are located in close proximity to the city’s best attractions. For more suggestions, consult our list of the best hotels in Boston for families ! 

Day 7: Salem, Massachusetts

Distance from boston to salem: 1 hour.

Before making your way to Maine, you can make a pit stop in Salem and stay somewhere nearby for one night. Famous for its 17th-century Witch Trials, kids will love witnessing the place where this historical event happened. Plus, it’s less than an hour away from Boston. 

Eat breakfast at Red’s Sandwich Shop , a cozy diner known for its hearty breakfast options and friendly service. Try their fluffy pancakes or classic bacon and eggs to fuel up for a day of exploration! Then, your first activity can be the Salem Witch Museum. This family-friendly museum explores the Salem witch trials of 1692 through life-size stage sets, figures, and narration that’ll impress kids. At Salem Common , kids can run around on the playground or relax on the grass while taking in the scenery.

Afternoon Activity: Walking Tour, Peabody Essex Museum

For lunch, head to the Salem waterfront area and grab a bite to eat at the Lobster Shanty.   Then, you can also take a walking tour of this charming town, where you will learn all about its sordid history in spooky detail. Families can even choose from themed tours, like a h aunted history tour, which offers a fun and informative way to learn about Salem’s spooky legends. 

After the tour, visit the Peabody Essex Museum , one of the oldest and most prominent art museums in the United States. The museum’s diverse collection includes art and artifacts from around the world, as well as interactive exhibits and activities for kids. For dinner, head back into town and dine at the Flying Saucer Pizza Company.  

Evening Activity: Salem Witch Trials Memorial

You can wrap up your day in Salem with a visit to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial , located next to the Old Burying Point Cemetery. This peaceful memorial honors the innocent victims of the witch trials and provides a quiet place for reflection and remembrance. Or, stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the evening views of the harbor.

Where To Stay In Salem With Kids

Families looking for a truly spooky stay in Salem can book a room at the Salem Inn , which is allegedly haunted! Or, check out Vrbo for more options. Plus, did you know that Salem is one of the 13 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New England with Kids ?

Day 8-11: Coastal Maine (York, Ogunquit, Portland)

Distance between salem and york: 1 hour.

After departing from Salem, families can explore the beauty of coastal Maine on a Northeast road trip itinerary. It takes around 1 hour to reach York, Maine from Salem, and the drive is very scenic. 

Spend time sunbathing, strolling the shore, or trying water sports on Long Sands Beach . It also provides fantastic views of the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse . Active families can also enjoy a beautiful hike at Mount Agamenticus, offering trails for all skill levels. Even little ones will be able to handle the 1.9-mile Ring Trail Loop, featuring a great view of Maine’s coastline. Animal enthusiasts can’t miss the chance to visit York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo and Fun Park!  

Distance Between York and Ogunquit: 10 Minutes

Ogunquit is a charming town on Maine’s southern coast. With sandy beaches, cultural activities, and multiple tasty restaurants, it’s a great place to stop on a Northeast Coast itinerary for families. 

Lounge on the gorgeous Ogunquit Beach, which is large, clean, and bustling. Families can also sightsee on the Ogunquit Trolley or stroll the famous Marginal Way , a mile-long scenic cliff walk . Eventually, you’ll come upon the small fishing village of Perkins Cove . Families can also visit the Ogunquit Playhouse . If you have extra time on your vacation, consider visiting the Ogunquit Museum of American Art , taking a Finestkind Scenic Cruise , or heading to Footbridge Beach.

Distance Between Ogunquit and Portland, Maine: 45 Minutes

In Portland, families should take a Maine Lobster Boat Tour, available through vendors such as Lucky Catch Cruises , Rocky Bottom Tours , and Casco Bay Custom Charters . Fishing lovers can also take a trip to nearby Cliff Island, accessible via the Casco Bay Island ferry from Portland’s harbor. Or, head to Mackworth Island State Park , located in Falmouth adjacent to Portland. Shopping enthusiasts will be impressed by the selection at the Freeport Outlets just north of the city, where you can find great deals on a variety of luxury stores. 

Where To Stay In Maine With Kids

Maine offers families plenty of kid-friendly accommodations. If you’re staying near Ogunquit, families love Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick. Or, the Beachmere Inn , a Cape-Cod-style hotel overlooking the ocean. 

Day 12: Acadia National Park (Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond)

Distance between portland, maine and acadia national park: 3 hours.

Acadia National Park is a great place to end your Northeast Coast road trip itinerary for families! Located near Bar Harbor, we suggest spending at least two full days in the park, but you can fit the highlights into one day if you’d like. 

Grab a hearty breakfast at Jordan’s Restaurant – the blueberry pancakes are a favorite among locals and tourists alike! After, you can head to the Visitor Center to pick up a map and get oriented with the park. Then, drive the Park Loop Road , making stops at popular sights like Thunder Hole, Sand Beach , and Otter Cliffs. These spots offer stunning coastal views and easy walks suitable for families with kids.

Afternoon Activity: Picnic Lunch and Jordon Pond Path

Then, have a picnic lunch at one of the designated picnic areas along the Park Loop Road. Once you’re done eating, you can take a hike around Jordan Pond on the Jordan Pond Path. This flat, 3.3-mile loop offers beautiful views of the pond and surrounding mountains, with plenty of opportunities for kids to skip rocks and explore. 

Day 13: Acadia National Park (Cadillac Mountain, Biking the Carriage Roads)

Get an early start to beat the crowds at Cadillac Mountain and watch the sunrise from the highest point on the eastern seaboard. The 4.4-mile Cadillac North Ridge Trail has sweeping views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Schoodic Peninsula. After sunrise, enjoy breakfast at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast , a cozy spot known for its delicious breakfast options and friendly service.

Afternoon Activity: Biking, Bubble Pond

After lunch, families can explore the carriage roads in the park. They offer miles of car-free paths through the park’s wooded landscapes, perfect for a family bike ride. Rent bikes from one of the rental shops in Bar Harbor or bring your own. Then, stop for lunch at Jordan Pond House Restaurant again or pack a picnic to enjoy along one of the carriage roads. After lunch, take a short hike to one of the park’s many picturesque ponds, such as Bubble Pond or Witch Hole Pond.

Evening Activity: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Wrap up your trip with a visit to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. The 0.4-mile trail to the lighthouse offers stunning views of the rugged coastline and is a great spot for family photos. For dinner, head back to Bar Harbor and be sure to try some fresh lobster or other local seafood specialties before saying goodbye to Acadia National Park!

Where To Stay Near Acadia National Park

For first-time visitors, Bar Harbor is a great place to stay near Acadia National Park on your Northeast road trip itinerary for families. From here, you can easily visit some of the park’s best attractions. There are hotels, Vrbo , and camping options in Bar Harbor.  

Happy Travels!

We hope you liked this 2-Week Northeast Road Trip Itinerary For Families! From Acadia National Park to NYC, there are plenty of ways to make your trip special and memorable. Enjoy your next Northeast road trip itinerary for families on vacation! 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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10-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary

Whether you’re looking for a summertime family vacation, colorful fall foliage, or a romantic snowy winter getaway, the northeast corner of America makes for an ideal destination.

Being that most Americans only get two weeks of vacation time a year, we’ve planned this 10-day New England road trip strategically.

This itinerary includes the best places to visit in New England. You’ll get to experience everything from quaint villages to bustling cities and national parks, of course. Plus, there will be plenty of breathtaking scenery along the way!

So, grab your camera and get ready. It’s time to road trip New England and discover what this corner of America has to offer!

Where is New England?

New England is located in the northeastern part of the United States. It’s made up of six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The region is known for its rocky coastline, autumn foliage, and cold, snowy winters.

New England trip planning tips

Even before you begin planning your New England road trip, there’s one absolutely essential thing you need to know: Hotels fill up very quickly.

To avoid disappointment, be sure to book all your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates! We’re not kidding. People book months in advance to secure a place to stay.

Same with New England tours. They are extremely popular , especially in the fall and winter months. And it’s not just for road trips. Bostonians book these spots as weekend getaways as well.

If you plan to rent a car, do it ahead of time. Not only does that guarantee you the lowest rates, they’ll reserve the type of car you prefer.

Now that you have everything reserved, let’s set out on your road trip!

Day 1: Salem, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine

Most people plan their driving vacations from Boston because it has the largest airport in New England. Arrive at Boston Logan International Airport in the morning, pick up your car, and head out of town.

Your first stop will be Salem, where you’ll explore the city’s infamous witch history. Start at the Salem Witch Museum to learn all about the famous Salem witch trials of 1692. Then, visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial near the water, and snap a selfie in front of the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by author Nathaniel Hawthorne.

For an in-depth look at the Witch Trials, book the Bewitched Walking Tour of Salem. A local historian will take you over a dozen locations in downtown Witch City and bring Salem’s history to life.

Finally, pop in at Red’s Sandwich Shop or Deli House for lunch. You can either dine in or order takeout and eat on the road, as you wish.

Now, continue your drive north to Portland, Maine’s largest city. Not counting stops, the journey takes about 90 minutes.

This lively city is full of great restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as plenty of art galleries and museums. If you’re interested in a guided tour from a local, the 2-hour Real Portland Tour has earned a Viator Badge of Excellence with over 1000 5-star reviews. (Book ASAP; it fills up quickly.)

Spend the rest of your afternoon strolling along the cobblestone streets of Portland’s Waterfront Old Port Historic District, touring the Portland Museum of Art, or visiting Victoria Mansion, a beautifully preserved 19th-century home.

End your day at the charming Old Port, where you can enjoy local history, foods & drinks.

Where to stay in Portland Maine

• Budget: The Black Elephant Hostel has air-conditioned accommodations, a shared kitchen, and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Some rooms at the property feature a balcony with a garden view.
• Mid-range: Hampton Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront   offers free airport and local shuttles, an indoor heated pool, and a fitness center.
• Luxury: The Francis , a historic landmark, is located in Portland’s Bramhall neighborhood, near the Art District. Museums, galleries, theaters, skating rinks, craft breweries, and boutiques are within a 0.9 mi radius of the property.

Day 2: Acadia National Park Maine

It may look quite far on the map, but in reality, it only takes about three hours to drive from Portland to Acadia National Park. So get an early start and hit the road!

Acadia National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maine, and for good reason. Located on Mount Desert Island, Maine’s largest island, this 47,000-acre park is home to towering mountains, pristine lakes, and miles of hiking trails.

Here, rocks erode into the ocean and iconic lighthouses stand high above them. Wildlife can be seen both in the water and on land, and there are numerous hiking trails to explore.

Today’s first stop will be Bar Harbor, a beach town that’s also the gateway to Acadia National Park. You can take a walking tour through Bar Harbor before checking into your hotel, and then head to the park after lunch.

There are plenty of things to do in Acadia National Park, but some of the most popular activities include hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain (the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast), kayaking in Swan Lake, and biking or driving the Park Loop Road.

To end your day, enjoy a dinner of ocean-fresh fish in one of the many excellent restaurants on the island .

ⓘ TIP: This inexpensive Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour is a personal guide, audio tour, and map all rolled into one. Simply download the app and connect to the car speakers; it’s yours to keep. Less than $15 for a guided driving tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park? Yes please!

Where to stay near Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor)

• Budget: Various campgrounds are available in the area.
• Mid-range: Acadia Inn is a family-friendly hotel 1.1 miles from the center of town. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning, free wi-fi, air conditioning, a hot tub and outdoor pool, and an on-site trail that accesses the park. 
• Luxury: Chiltern Inn Featuring an indoor pool and sauna, this Bar Harbor bed and breakfast is located 1.6 mi from Acadia National Park. Rooms at the Chiltern Inn offer a wood-burning fireplace, free Wi-Fi, and a private bath.

Day 3: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

After spending two days in Maine, it’s time to head into New Hampshire. You’ll spend the morning on the drive from Acadia National Park to White Mountain National Forest, and the vistas are so beautiful you’ll thoroughly enjoy the long drive!

White Mountain National Forest tops most New Hampshire itineraries, with unnumerable towering mountains, pristine lakes, and miles of hiking trails to explore.

• Springtime brings warmer weather and melting snow, making it the perfect time to go hiking and camping.
• In the summer, you can go hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing.
• In Autumn, you can explore the many covered bridges in the area and drive New Hampshire’s scenic Kancamagus Highway to see the famous New England fall foliage.
• And in winter, the mountains of New Hampshire turn into a playground for cold-weather sports enthusiasts, with numerous ski resorts and cross-country skiing trails.

No matter what time of year you visit, there are plenty of things to do in the National Forest. Some of the most popular activities are hiking to the top of Mount Washington (the highest point in the Northeastern U.S.), driving the scenic Kancamagus Scenic Byway, and photographing the many covered bridges in the area.

ⓘ TIP: Download this self-guided Kancamagus Scenic Byway driving tour to ensure you don’t miss anything on the way. Directions, local tips, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories play automatically, based on your location. The app runs offline using GPS; no cell service needed.

Where to spend the night in the White Mountains

North Conway is the perfect end to your day in New Hampshire, as it has a wide range of lodging options. You won’t have any problem finding a place to eat either, as it has many of New Hampshire’s best restaurants, shops, and attractions.

• Budget: Colonial Motel features an outdoor swimming pool and a picnic area. Some rooms feature a covered porch while others have a large spa bath.
• Mid-range: Cranmore Inn bed and breakfast is a short walk from the Conway Scenic Railroad and Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center. It features uniquely-decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi.
• Luxury: White Mountain Hotel and Resort Set within the natural beauty of Hale’s Location, this elegant North Conway resort features a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the mountains. Rooms feature flat screen TV’s, work desk, USB Ports and Speakman showers. Daily full breakfast is included and high-speed internet access along with two dining options with Ledges Restaurant and Tullamore Tavern are also provided.

Day 4: Vermont’s Green Mountains

Today is all about Vermont, the Green Mountain State. The state gets its name from two French words, vert (green) and mont (mountain). When you see these mountains, you’ll understand why!

This morning begins with a two-hour drive to Stowe Vermont. Stowe is a popular ski resort town in Vermont, with a charming downtown and a famous ski resort run by the Trapp Family, of Sound of Music fame.

Beyond Stowe itself, you can go for a hike in the Green Mountain National Forest, enjoy a scenic drive on the Mountain Road, or take a day trip that includes visiting a cider mill and the Ben & Jerry’s Factory (complete with ice cream samples!).

Vermont produces some of the best maple syrup in the world. Be sure to visit one of the many sugarhouses in the area to see how this delicious treat is made!

After lunch in Stowe, this afternoon’s road trip itinerary is all about the scenery as you drive down the Route 100 Scenic Byway. Vermont’s longest highway takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside in Vermont. You’ll see covered bridges, mountain vistas, and quaint towns all along the way.

Keep your camera handy; the covered bridges of Vermont are some of the most beautiful in New England. Visit Vermont has a page listing covered bridges along your drive.

Where to stay in Wilmington Vermont

Stop for the night in Wilmington, VT. Wilmington is a small town located in the southwest corner of the state, right on the border with Massachusetts.

This quaint town is home to several art galleries, antique shops, and a variety of restaurants. It’s also the perfect place to relax after a long day of driving.

• Budget: Viking Motel offers free WiFi access, cable TV, and air conditioning in all rooms.
• Mid-range: The Nutmeg provides accommodations with a garden and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The inn features family rooms.
• Luxury: The Wilmington Inn provides accommodations with a bar, free private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. Free WiFi and a concierge service are provided. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available for breakfast.

Day 5: Litchfield and Mystic, Connecticut

Your first stop today is the small town of Litchfield, located in the western part of Connecticut. The prettiest drive is down US-7 S, and it travels through Litchfield Hills, one of the nicest parts of Connecticut. This route takes roughly the same amount of time as I-91 (about 2.5 hours). You decide!

Litchfield is a charming New England town with a rich history. The town was founded in 1719 and has been home to many notable residents over the years, including writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and abolitionist John Brown.

Today, Litchfield is a popular tourist destination for its many antique shops, art galleries, and historic homes. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Litchfield, be sure to visit the Litchfield History Museum.

You can also take a self-guided walking tour of the town’s historic homes and buildings, such as the Oliver Wolcott House.

After lunch in Litchfield, your New England road trip continues east to Mystic, Connecticut. Mystic is a historic seaport located on the Mystic River in southeastern Connecticut.

Today, Mystic is a popular tourist destination, best known for its maritime history and as the setting of the 1988 film Mystic Pizza.

The top attraction is Mystic Seaport Museum, which is one of the largest maritime museums in the world. This fascinating museum features exhibits on the history of whaling, shipbuilding, and seafaring.

If you’re looking for other things to do in Mystic besides visiting the museum, one of the most popular family attractions is the Denison Homestead , a 300-year-old family farm that offers a glimpse into early colonial farm life. Mystic also has a nice aquarium, which is a popular attraction on rainy days.

Outdoor options include hiking in nearby Bluff Point State Park and kayaking or canoeing on the Mystic River. You can also take a boat ride or go for a walk along the pretty waterfront.

Where to stay in Mystic, CT

• Budget: Pet-friendly Days Inn Mystic is within walking distance to sights in downtown Mystic, and a short drive away from the Atlantic Ocean. Free breakfasts, Wi-Fi, and onsite parking is included.
• Mid-range: The Taber Inne is an 8-minute walk from the beach and 2,300 feet from Williams Beach Park. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy the indoor heated pool and free WiFi throughout the property.
• Luxury: Harbor View Landing  accommodations include cottages, free WiFi throughout the property, and free private parking for guests who drive. Featuring water sports facilities and a tennis court, the hotel is close to several noted attractions and only 1.8 miles from Mystic Seaport. The property has river views and a terrace.

Day 6: Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., is home to many historic towns. One of the most notable is Newport, which was once a summer retreat for the wealthy.

The seaside town of Newport is best known for its gorgeous mansions, which were built by some of America’s wealthiest families during the Gilded Age.

Start your visit with a tour of The Breakers, the grandest of all the Newport mansions, located on the elaborate estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Then, explore the grounds of Marble House, another one of Newport’s famous Gilded Age mansions. Be sure to also stroll along Bellevue Avenue to see all of the other lavish mansions that line this famous street.

ⓘ BUDGET TIP: If you take the Newport Scenic Trolley tour , free admission to The Breakers mansion is included.

In the afternoon, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame, explore Fort Adams State Park, or relax on one of Newport’s many beaches. If you’d prefer to explore Newport itself, cobblestone streets, art galleries, museums, antique shops, and local restaurants await.

If you’re a water lover, consider taking a boat ride to Block Island, taking a scenic boat ride around Newport Harbor, or going for a sail on Narragansett Bay.

End your day with dinner at one of Newport’s great restaurants, and don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee from one of the local cafes while you’re there!

Where to stay in Newport Rhode Island

• Budget: Near Newport’s Memorial Park, Motel 6 Newport offers free basic WiFi and rooms that feature a seating area. The Newport Marina is 2 miles away.
• Mid-range: The Admiral Fitzroy Inn , a historic bed and breakfast, offers elegantly decorated guestrooms featuring antique sleigh beds and hand-painted walls. Guests staying at the inn can enjoy a free gourmet continental breakfast served in the sunny dining room overlooking Thames Street. The property also features a rooftop deck.
• Luxury: Hotel Viking opened in 1926. This historic Newport hotel is a 5-minute walk to Thames Street and less than 1 mile from the Cliff Walk to the city’s historic mansions. Guests staying at the Viking Hotel can enjoy an on-site spa, indoor pool, and fitness center. On-site dining at the One Bellevue restaurant is also available.

Day 7: Cape Cod

You’ll spend today on Cape Cod, a peninsula located in southeastern Massachusetts. With nearly 560 miles of pristine coastline, Cape Cod has long been a popular summer destination for the rich and famous, including the Kennedy family, who have a compound in nearby Hyannis Port.

But it’s a favorite East Coast vacation spot for families, couples, and singles as well, because of its many beaches and quaint small towns. New England beach vacations are extremely popular.

Depending on the weather and your energy level, you might want to begin with a Cape Cod self-guided driving tour. The audio app gives you a flexible and affordable way to see all of the scenic Cape Cod on your own terms.

Alternatively, start your morning at Cape Cod National Seashore. With 40 miles of coastline, the seashore features many pristine beaches, hiking and biking trails, and lighthouses to enjoy.

After a few hours at the seashore, drive to the charming town of Sandwich for lunch. This historic town is home to many beautiful old homes and buildings, including a glass museum and Hoxie House, the oldest home on Cape Cod. Heritage Museums and Gardens is also a wonderful destination.

In the afternoon, head to Provincetown, located at the very tip of Cape Cod. Provincetown is a popular summer destination for its nightlife and vibrant arts scene. It’s also a great place to enjoy some fresh seafood.

Or, you could take a boat ride to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. These two islands are both accessible by ferry from Cape Cod and offer a different vibe than the mainland. If that’s more your speed, consider this Martha’s Vineyard tour by a local who has lived his whole life on the island.

Other popular Cape Cod attractions include the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (Brewster, MA), the Whydah Pirate Museum (West Yarmouth), and the scenic Cape Cod Trail, a 22-mile paved pathway that winds through 6 towns on the Cape.

Where to stay in Cape Cod

You can either stay in Cape Cod for the night or return to the mainland in the evening and stay in Plymouth for two nights.

• Budget: Viking Shores Motor Lodge , located 2 mi from the beach, features an outdoor pool. It is also a part of the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Path.
• Mid-range: Sandbars Inn in North Truro has air-conditioned accommodations with views of the sea and free WiFi. Some of the units have cable TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer.
• Luxury: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club is a 2-minute walk from the beach. This West Harwich waterfront resort offers an 18-hole golf course, free Wi-Fi, and brightly colored rooms that offer a sitting area and plush bedding. Guests can enjoy waterfront dining, swim in the seasonal outdoor pool, or relax in the hot tub. A fitness center, children’s playground, and tennis court are also available.

Day 8: Plymouth, Massachusetts

The town of Plymouth, Massachusetts began as a Puritan colony in 1620. Today, it’s best known as the site of the first Thanksgiving and home to Plymouth Rock, the famous landmark that marks the spot where the Pilgrims first landed.

Start your visit at Plimoth Patuxet (formerly known as Plymouth Plantation). This living history museum complex is a must-visit for families and history buffs. It includes a replica of the Mayflower ship and several original 17th-century buildings that you can visit.

After lunch, stop at Plymouth Rock for a photo and continue to Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth’s historic downtown-harbor area, where you can learn all about the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth in 1620.

The town’s downtown-harbor area contains several historic buildings, including the Plymouth Courthouse (built in 1754), the Jenney Grist Mill (built in 1636), and the Mayflower Society House (built in 1824).

End your day with a walk along Plymouth’s historic waterfront. Don’t miss the Plymouth Cordage Company Historic District, a National Historic Landmark that includes several 19th-century rope-making factories.

End your day with dinner and a stroll along the Plymouth Waterfront to watch the sunset over Cape Cod Bay.

Where to stay in Plymouth:

• Budget: Best Western Plus Cold Spring  features an outdoor pool with panoramic views of Cape Cod and rooms with a 32-inch LCD TV. Historic Plymouth Rock is less than one mile from this hotel. Plymouth Waterfront and the Mayflower II are both within a 20-minute walk from this hotel. The Plimoth Plantation is just a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
• Mid-range: Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor  is located across the street from historic Plymouth Harbor. It features an indoor heated swimming pool.
• Luxury: Rooms at Harbourtown Suites on Plymouth Harbor include a seating area with a sofa bed, a kitchen with microwave and dishwasher, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and free private parking.
• Resort: Mirbeau Inn & Spa has a spa and wellness center, a restaurant, and a fitness center with Peloton® bikes. The accommodation includes a fireplace and free Wi-Fi access. Other facilities offered at the property include an onsite shop and free parking.

Days 9-10: Boston, Massachusetts

There’s no better place to cap off your 10-day New England road trip itinerary than in Boston, the capital of Massachusetts. This historic city is full of colonial character and charm. Plus, there are plenty of things to see and do, from exploring the Freedom Trail to watching a baseball game at Fenway Park.

Return your rental car before you do anything else. You won’t need it in the city, as you can navigate better by using Boston’s public transportation system and on foot. Besides, parking and traffic in Boston can be a hassle.

You’ll find details on how to get into Boston from the airport at the end of this article.

ⓘ PRO TIP: If it’s too early to check into your room when you arrive, don’t worry. Most hotels will stash your bags in a secure location and then deliver them once your room is ready.

As one of America’s oldest cities, Boston Massachusetts is full of historic landmarks and sites. Start your Boston adventure by walking the Freedom Trail. Known as one of the top things to do in Boston, this 2.5-mile (4 km) trail passes 16 different sites that are all significant to American history. You can do it yourself or get the full experience with a guided walking tour.

If time permits this morning, take a leisurely stroll through Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country.

Head to the iconic Quincy Market shopping district for lunch, and don’t forget to try a famous Boston Cream Pie while you’re there!

In the afternoon, choose activities based on your interests:

• History lovers – visit some of Boston’s famous historical sites, such as the Boston Tea Party Ships, the USS Constitution Museum, and the Paul Revere House.
• Sports fans – Tour Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team
• Art lovers – stroll through the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts

In the evening, dine at one of Boston’s many great restaurants. For a truly unique experience, try a seafood dinner at one of the city’s many waterfront seafood shacks.

Be sure to end your day with a stroll along the waterfront to watch the sunset over Boston Harbor.

Where to stay in Boston:

• Budget: in the heart of Boston, HI Boston is 5 minutes away from Boston Common and public transport. All rooms include free Wi-Fi. Guests can relax with a pool table and TV in the game room. A shared kitchen, coffee bar, and vending machines offering snacks and drinks are on-site. Bike storage is available.
• Mid-range: The Oasis Guest House offers free WiFi, shared outdoor terraces, and concierge service. Northeastern University is an 8-minute walk. Some rooms include a private bathroom. All rooms are nonsmoking.
• Luxury: The Newbury Boston  features a restaurant, bar, shared lounge, and garden. This 5-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk, room service, and free WiFi. The hotel has family rooms, and breakfast includes vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Day 10 of your New England itinerary depends on when you plan to depart.

If you’re leaving in the afternoon or evening, you have time this morning for a little more sightseeing. You could spend a couple of hours cruising on Boston harbor or go wandering through one of Boston’s neighborhoods before heading to the airport.

If you have a second, full day in Boston—or better yet, 3 days in Boston, you might want to take part in an interactive museum tour and become a part of the Boston Tea Party , take an Italian food tour in Boston’s North End, or go whale watching off the coast of Boston in a catamaran. If you plan it right, you might even be able to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park!

No matter when your flight departs, be sure to allow plenty of time to get to Logan Airport. Traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hour.

How to get to downtown Boston from Logan International Airport

The cheapest and easiest way to get to downtown Boston from Logan International Airport is by taking the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) Silver Line bus. The SL1 and SL2 buses both go to South Station, which is located in the heart of downtown Boston. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs $2.75 per person.

However, it’s not that easy because you’ll still need to get to your hotel. It’s best to take a cab or Uber from the station to avoid hassling with luggage on public transportation.

The most convenient option is to book a private shuttle from the airport to your hotel and let someone else handle the bags and traffic.

Final thoughts about this New England road trip itinerary

And that’s a wrap on your 10-day New England road trip itinerary! We hope you enjoyed this trip and that you’ll come back to explore more of this beautiful region in the future.

What are the best months for fall colors in New England?

The best time to visit for fall foliage in New England is typically September and October. However, the exact timing for peak color can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions.

Use this map to find up-to-date information on current New England fall foliage color.

5 tips for taking a road trip through New England

1. Get a map. You’ll be traveling through some remote areas with spotty or no cell signal. If you don’t want to risk taking a wrong turn, either buy a paper New England map or download the offline version of whatever New England road trip map application you use. And if you can, familiarize yourself with it before you depart.

2. Use apps to find cheap gas. Two popular ones are Gas Buddy and Waze . Fuel always ends up being one of the most surprising and costly expenses on a road trip.

3. Track the weather daily. New England weather can be finicky, and changing conditions can take you by surprise. Keep a raincoat and sweater handy.

4. Book a few experiences along the way. Walking tours, food tours, and boat tours are a lot of fun and create wonderful memories. There are tons of great tours on offer, allowing you to get the most of the vast history and beauty that New England has to offer.

5. Always carry loads of water and snacks in the car. It’s convenient to have what you need on hand. Plus, you won’t waste time and money buying stuff at a convenience store.

5 New England photography tips

1. Rural country roads offer a wealth of photo opportunities, from quaint farms to rolling hills. These areas are often more rural and less populated than urban areas, so you’ll have plenty of chances to snap some beautiful shots. And because rural country roads are usually less crowded than city streets, you won’t have to worry about getting in anyone’s way.

2. Look for elevated vantage points whenever possible. While you’re out exploring, keep your eyes peeled for elevated vantage points. hop on a rock or climb a tree to get a better view of your surroundings. You might just be surprised at what you find!

3. Remember to keep your camera charged. That way, you’ll never miss a moment. A fully charged hattery will let you capture all the special moments, so always keep it topped up.

4. Bring multiple spare batteries for your camera. Nothing is worse than seeing a great shot and discovering your camera is out of power. Extra batteries are the best backup plan.

5. Bring your drone, if you have one. You’ll be glad to know that aerial photography is permitted in many parts of New England.

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: August 23, 2021

UPDATED: May 22, 2024

There are many places in the world you can see leaves turn in Autumn, but they pale in comparison to one famed and celebrated region in the US northeast where science, nature and climate combine to put on an extraordinary light show each year. We are of course talking about fabled New England and we’re going to show you 10 places you can’t miss when planning your New England fall foliage road trip, with 5 day itinerary, 7 day itinerary and 10 day itinerary examples included to help you nail down the best possible route for your trip.

We will use our first hand experiences from road tripping New England in fall to bring you tips, advice and unmissable stops to take on your visit. This is one of those true bucket list USA road trip experiences in which it pays to be organized, plan effectively and make the most of every day.

So, let’s get stuck into those 10 unmissable stops and planning your perfect New England fall foliage road trip itinerary!

The Science Behind Fall Colors

What do we know about the changing of colors to give ourselves the best chance of being in the right place at the right time?

Well, we know that fall colors peak furthest north and work southward through the latitudes. So for example, the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina is gorgeous in fall, but the colors won’t change there until much later in the season.

Also, we know elevation plays an important role in when peak colors will be on display. Colors will change first in mountainous regions of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont before they do at lower elevations.

But the most important aspects are weather conditions leading into Autumn, and amount of daylight. It all starts way back in Spring! A late Spring or intense Summer drought can potentially delay peak fall colors by a week or two.

Conditions Affecting Predictions For Peak Fall Colors

In addition to elevation, latitude and weather conditions before fall, there are more specific conditions that can affect peak fall once we actually reach Autumn:

• Soil moisture levels
• Amount of sunlight during the day
• Length of night
• Day and night temperature (important)

So what would constitute as perfect conditions for the best chance at ‘peak’ fall colors being their most radiant and predictable?

• Wet and warm Spring conditions
• Summer without drought or unusually high / low temperatures
• Warm Autumn days and cool but not freezing nights

And what causes the colors to change once conditions are right?

Sunlight pumps leaves full of chlorophyll during Spring and Summer. Once daylight wanes in Autumn, so does the amount of chlorophyll.

That leaves room for other pigments in the leaves, such as anthocyanin and carotenoids to shine.

Why Focus On VT, NH, ME and Even NY

The region of New England technically contains 6 states; Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In fall, this entire region transforms into an adventure playground for leaf-peeping lovers and passionate photographers.

However, there are three New England states among the six that we feel just have to be prioritized for the very best scenery and most radiant colors; New Hampshire, Maine and in particular Vermont.

But we’re also going to throw a curve ball by including a region not technically part of New England (gasp!) … New York’s Adirondack Mountains are a stone’s throw from the border with Vermont and the colors are just as special.

We want you to see the best places in New England when you take your fall road trip, but we would prefer you to see the best colors. That means skipping the likes of Boston, Portland and Providence on this particular visit to the northeast.

They’re all awesome places and we visited them all on our New England road trip in fall. But they don’t have the colors of rural Vermont and New Hampshire, plus we had days to spare.

Here’s why you should focus on the northern parts of New England for a fall foliage road trip:

Vermont’s rolling hills are overflowing with charming rural towns, barns and covered bridges. But the state is 80% covered in forest and that can only mean one thing; spectacular fall foliage everywhere you look.

Further Reading: The best places to visit in Vermont

New Hampshire

New Hampshire mixes excellent hiking options in stunning mountainous areas with staggeringly beautiful fall foliage colors.

It also has one of the best mini road trip routes in New England during fall – the Kancamagus Highway.

Maine is huge. It is much bigger than the other New England states and that means it’s hard to fit most of the northern parts in to your road trip. Unless you have more than 2 weeks of course.

However, Acadia National Park is one of the very best places you can visit in all of New England in fall so if you have the spare time, it’s hard to skip.

New York’s Adirondack Mountains, including Winter olympic town Lake Placid and its surroundings are beautiful in Autumn. The popular mountainous region is incredibly popular thanks to a host of activities and of course glorious foliage colors.

When Should You Plan Your New England Road Trip For Peak Fall Colors?

It is impossible to plan the perfect ‘peak’ fall road trip itinerary in New England. You would need to be in many places at the same time for that to be possible. We’re not quite there, yet!

Historically, the last 2 weeks of September and the first 2 weeks of October are when the colors change. So that would put October 1st in the middle of that and therefore a ‘peak’ fall foliage target.

Science tells us that colors change in the North and at elevation first, eventually working South and to lower levels.

We’ll get into example itineraries below, but here are some rough dates to use for each itinerary time frame working North to South:

• 5 Day New England Fall Road Trip – We would suggest aiming for September 29 through October 3.
• 7 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day either side, so September 28 through October 4.
• 10 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day before and two after, so September 27 through October 6.
• 14 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day before and three after, so September 26 through October 9.

Should You Book Your Trip In Advance?

Here are two scenarios:

• You don’t book in advance and keep an eye on live fall foliage updates to guarantee hitting peak fall. This also means you have flexibility on bad weather days. However, there are very limited hotels available and those that do have rooms will be more expensive.
• You plan and book your whole trip in advance, getting good value in hotels and can relax. But there’s a chance you won’t time it just right and you will have to deal with whatever weather comes your way.

We can’t offer a ‘better’ solution here because both have pros and cons.

Our trip was mainly booked in advance which meant we spent less but we had to put up with a lot of disappointing rain days, as you will see in the photos below!

Need help planning your New England road trip?

Our popular New England fall travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your road trip, including the best places to stop, where to see fall colors, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

Top Tips For Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Finally, before we jump into the 10 unmissable stops and the New England fall road trip itineraries, let’s have a quick look at some important tips to consider when planning your vacation:

• New England is insanely popular in fall.
• Booking accommodation in advance will save you a lot of money.
• Carefully plan where you want to spend each night based around hikes and photography.
• Start in the North and work South through New England.
• Expect frequent rain and clouds in fall and accept that there’s nothing you can do about it!
• Always carry loads of water and snacks in the car.
• Try to find elevated vantage points as often as possible.
• Some of the best and most unique fall photos are along rural country roads.
• You need multiple spare batteries for your camera!
• You can use a drone in many parts of New England for aerial photography.
• Don’t worry if you miss ‘peak’ colors.

Our popular road trip resources:

• Road trip packing list essentials
• How to plan the perfect road trip

10 Places You Can’t Miss On The Best New England Fall Road Trip

Let’s take a closer look at the 10 stops we think are unmissable on a first New England trip to see the fall colors.

1. Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid of 1980 Winter Olympics ‘Miracle on Ice’ fame is located at the heart of New York’s revered Adirondack Mountains. It is the perfect base for adventure activities throughout all four seasons, from hiking in Summer to skiing in Winter.

The charming town of Lake Placid is an incredibly popular centralized location for leaf peeping in the Adirondacks. As a result, hotels here are in high demand and not cheap from the end of September until mid October. We know from experience when our bank balance took a mighty hit!

Walk around Mirror Lake in town for the easiest way to soak up gorgeous fall colors. If you have time and enjoy challenging hikes, you can’t miss Mount Marcy. It isn’t the prettiest trail but it is the tallest peak in New York.

Things To Do In Lake Placid, NY

• Take a relaxing walk around serene Mirror Lake.
• Visit the Olympic ski jumping complex.
• Photograph John Brown barn.
• Drive to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
• Take the Cloud Splitter cable car to Little Whiteface.
• Walk through picturesque High Falls Gorge.
• Hike Mount Marcy, the tallest peak in New York.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Lake Placid, NY

• Mirror Lake in town is gorgeous, walk through residential areas surrounded by colorful trees.
• John Brown barn is a hidden gem for fall colors.
• The top of the ski jump provides sweeping views over the Adirondacks.
• Mount Marcy summit is the highest point in the entire region, providing the best views over rolling hills.
• Whiteface Mountain and Little Whiteface offer more stunning views of fall foliage.

Read our Lake Placid guides for more information:

• 10 best things to do in Lake Placid NY
• Mount Marcy complete hiking walkthrough
• 8 best hotels in Lake Placid NY

2. Burlington, Vermont

Burlington in Vermont might not be the first place you think of for a New England fall foliage road trip destination. However, it is one of the easiest places outside of Boston to fly into the region if you are visiting from further afield.

The small town also happens to be filled with beautiful and radiant foliage colors at every turn. From lakeside bike paths to park towers with stunning views, Burlington is the perfect stop off between Lake Placid and the more famous foliage destination of Stowe.

Hotels in downtown Burlington can be limited and expensive in Autumn, so if you are visiting New England on a budget, try looking for hotels in surrounding villages and towns.

Things To Do In Burlington, VT

• Eat, drink and soak up the atmosphere along Church Street.
• Walk through Waterfront Park alongside Lake Champlain.
• Cycle the Burlington bike path to Grand Isle.
• Explore Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum.
• Stand on top of Ethan Allen Tower for amazing views.
• Taste chocolate at Lake Champlain Chocolates flagship store.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Burlington, VT

• Anywhere along the Lake Champlain waterfront where there are trees.
• Ethan Allen Park and the top of the tower in particular have the best fall foliage views in Burlington.
• Ethan Allen homestead and museum are surrounded by beautifully colorful trees.

Read more about Burlington:

• 10 best things to do in Burlington VT
• 8 best hotels in Burlington VT

3. Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is one of the unmissable fall foliage classics on any New England road trip. The white church in town is one of the most photographed churches in the US and almost all of those photographs are taken in fall.

The town is quaint and attractive but be sure to spend the majority of your time up in Stowe Mountain Resort. This is where you will find hikes, Mt Mansfeld, waterfalls and Smugglers Notch.

Colors will change first up in the higher elevations. So, if you’re a little early, head up to the resort. On the other hand, if you’re a little late, stick to the lower elevations around Stowe town for the most vibrant colors.

Personally, we love to hike, we like flying our drone and we enjoy photographing waterfalls. Stowe was one of the best stops on our New England fall road trip circuit for allowing us to do all of those things.

Things To Do In Stowe, VT

• Photograph the famous white church in Stowe town.
• Drive or hike to the summit of Mount Mansfield.
• Drive through stunning Smugglers Notch pass.
• Ride a bike along Stowe Rec Path or Lamoille Valley.
• Take the SkyRide Gondola to Mt Mansfield.
• Hike a wide range of awesome trails.
• Visit both Bingham Falls and Moss Glen Falls.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Stowe, VT

• In Stowe town, the iconic white church backed by a hill of fall colors is unmissable on your New England road trip.
• But the best colors are in Stowe Mountain Resort. The drive up from town is gorgeous.
• No matter how you get to the top of Mt Mansfield, you can guarantee spectacular fall foliage views.
• Smugglers Notch is our top recommendation for Stowe. If you have a drone, this is the place to fly.

Read more about Stowe, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Stowe VT
• 12 best hotels in Stowe VT

4. Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock in central Vermont is arguably the most picturesque and charming town you will visit on your New England fall road trip itinerary. It truly is like something out of a fairytale. We had no choice but to include Woodstock in our popular guide to the 50 best places to visit in the USA .

Remarkably pretty farms with golden leaves dancing in sunlight and reddish-brown leaves covering the ground create picture perfect scenes. Sleepy Hollow Farm and Jenne Road Farm are featured on many fall foliage calendars you will see in shops on your visit to New England.

Don’t miss the many stunning historic covered bridges around Woodstock. Middle covered bridge is right in town, Taftsville and Quechee are very close by and Cornish-Windsor is a 30 minute drive. The beautiful bridge in the photo below is a privately owned bridge near South Woodstock on the main road to Jenne Farm.

Woodstock is one of the more expensive places to visit on a road trip through Vermont, but it is worth taking a hit on the extra chunk of budget. Simply driving around the narrow country roads near Woodstock for a few hours would provide enough fall foliage colors to last a week of photography.

Things To Do In Woodstock, VT

• Walk around the charming town and admire diverse architectural styles.
• Photograph two postcard perfect farms – Jenne Road Farm and Sleep Hollow Farm.
• Visit a host of historic and stunning covered bridges.
• Explore Marsh Billings Rockefeller Park and hike to amazing viewpoint overlooking Woodstock.
• Visit nearby Quechee Gorge and village.
• See Jersey dairy cows at Billings Farm and Museum.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Woodstock, VT

• Woodstock is incredibly photogenic during fall throughout the town and immediate surroundings.
• The lookout over Woodstock from Mount Tom hike is iconic fall photography.
• The best two fall photographs in Woodstock are at Jenne Road Farm and Sleepy Hollow Farm. They are two truly unmissable stops on your New England fall road trip itinerary.
• Drive your car around the narrow rural roads near Woodstock for some of the most special colors.

Read more about Woodstock, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Woodstock VT
• 7 best hotels in Woodstock VT

5. Manchester, Vermont

Similarly to Stowe, Manchester is a four season resort with skiing in Winter and hikes during Spring or Summer. In fall, the town located in the heart of Green Mountain National Forest transitions into a colorful paradise for leaf-peepers.

Manchester can be split into the old historic district and the newer modern resort town. The newer part is livelier and closer to amenities but the historic district is quieter, prettier and more colorful.

Use Manchester as a base for one night to explore nearby elevated areas for some of the most expansive views of rolling hills on a New England fall road trip.

Equinox Mountain is the tallest peak in the area. You can hike it or drive it to open up far-reaching views over three US states. But our top tip is to simply stick to the narrow country roads again and you will find more unique fall foliage photographs.

Things To Do In Manchester, VT

• Drive the Skyline Auto Toll Road to Mount Equinox summit.
• Explore Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home.
• Walk around quaint Manchester Historic Village District.
• See the American Museum of Fly Fishing Museum exhibits.
• Buy a book in popular Northshire bookstore.
• Visit nearby covered bridges.
• See the Bennington Battle Monument.
• Visit Robert Frost stone house museum.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Manchester, VT

• Manchester is the heart of the Green Mountains, so the entire area surrounding the town is staggeringly attractive.
• Rolling hills for endless miles covered in glowing fall colors can be seen from any elevated vantage point.
• Equinox Mountain summit provides the best panoramic views over three states.
• Another place you jump in the car and find unique fall photography opportunities on rural roads.
• Manchester Historic Village District is leafy and the church is surrounded by golden yellow leaves.

Read more about Manchester, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Manchester VT
• 9 best hotels in Manchester VT

6. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Franconia Notch is one of New Hampshire’s premier tourist regions for hiking, picturesque mountains, skiing and of course fall foliage. A two lane highway mountain pass dissects the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges, with a number of fantastic recreational stops along the way.

Artists Bluff is a very short but steep hike leading to a rocky ledge. Its summit overlooks Echo Lake and is most popular in fall when the colors change. As you can see, we hiked the trail on an incredibly cloudy and grey day, which doesn’t help with highlighting the beauty of this viewpoint. We have included Artists Bluff in our popular guide to the 50 best hikes in the US .

Franconia Notch State Park is where you will find the stunning Flume Gorge hike. A little over 2 miles of waterfalls, narrow gorges and forested paths welcome thousands of visitors each year. For us, the best part of Flume Gorge were the two ultra-photogenic covered bridges; Flume and Sentinel Pine.

Things To Do In Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

• Hike the short but steep trail to Artists Bluff summit for stunning views.
• Walk through impressive and extremely popular Flume Gorge.
• Hike Cannon Mountain or take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.
• See a whole host of waterfalls or hike one of a dozen other mountain trails.
• Ski Cannon Mountain Resort in Winter.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

• The single most well known fall foliage photograph in Franconia Notch NH is from the summit of Artists Bluff.
• However, don’t miss the chance to walk through the incredibly picturesque Flume Gorge in fall.
• Not only are the colors vibrant, but waterfalls are attractive and two special covered bridges are incredibly photogenic.
• Anywhere at elevation, which means every hike up a mountain side or the tramway with sweeping valley views.

Read more in our Franconia Notch guides:

• Artists Bluff Trail Fall Foliage Hike
• Flume Gorge Complete Hiking Walkthrough

7. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s supremely scenic Kancamagus Highway is one of the very best parts of New England to road trip in fall foliage season. We would put it firmly in the category of ‘unmissable’.

The road between Lincoln and Conway NH is only 35 miles long, but it 35 miles of pure foliage bliss. You can either drive it in one go and simply soak up the colors roadside. Or you can stop at a multitude of overlooks, hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and covered bridges.

If there’s one part of your New England road trip itinerary to time it right for peak foliage colors, you would do well to beat the Kancamagus Highway in its prime.

A note for photographers and videographers – You can use your drone in many parts of the Kancamagus Highway. We captured amazing photographs and videos of endless miles over rolling hills covered in radiant color.

Things To Do On Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

• Stop at various high elevation overlooks with spectacular views over White Mountain National Forest.
• Walk to Sabbaday Falls, Champney Falls and Lower Falls.
• Hike Lincoln Woods or Mount Chocorua.
• Walk out on Rocky Gorge boulders.
• Photograph Russell-Colbath House and the picture perfect Albany Covered Bridge.
• Explore ponds and lakes to your hearts content.

Where To See Fall Foliage On Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

• Views over rolling hills from every overlook are astonishing in fall.
• Once the Kancamagus Highway reaches its highest elevation, you will see an ocean of color in all directions.
• Walk through any forest trail or along any waterfall hike to immerse yourself into those foliage colors.
• Albany covered bridge is one of the most picturesque bridges you will find in New England.
• Rocky Gorge and nearby lake with reflecting fall colors are wonderful.
• Even on both ends of the road in Lincoln (Loon Mountain) and Conway the colors are vibrant.

Read more about the Kancamagus Highway:

• 13 best places to stop along the Kancamagus Highway in fall

8. Mount Washington, New Hampshire

At 6,288 ft tall, Mount Washington is the tallest peak in Northeastern United States. It is renowned for wild and unpredictable weather, including the recording of a world record wind speed over over 230 mph.

As our images indicate, Mount Washington can be very wet and cloudy in Autumn. But if you get slightly more luck on your road trip and time it on a sunny day, you will enjoy some of the most beautiful colors and scenery in the entire region.

Avid hikers can climb to the summit, otherwise you can take a historic cog rail train or drive up an auto toll road to reach the top. Views from almost 2,000 meters high over an ocean of bright colors are incredible.

Things To Do Around Mount Washington, New Hampshire

• Hike a very challenging but rewarding trail to the summit of Mount Washington.
• Consider a night hike, fall colors won’t matter in the dark but it is hugely popular for astro and sunrise photography.
• Alternatively, drive the Mt Washington Auto Road to the summit.
• Or, take the most scenic and historic route to the top – by Cog Railway.
• Conway scenic railroad nearby ventures deep into fall foliage forest.
• Endless miles of hiking, 100 waterfalls and a handful of covered bridges to discover.
• Crawford Notch State Park is close by and features more views, hikes and waterfalls.

Where To See Fall Foliage Around Mount Washington, New Hampshire

• Just gain elevation in the White Mountains and you’ll open up valley views with a sea of foliage colors.
• Mt Washington summit is the iconic NH vantage point for sweeping Autumnal vistas.
• For a unique experience, the Conway Scenic Railroad cuts through some of the best colors in NH.
• Crawford Notch State Park is stunning in fall, with fantastic valley views from hikes.

9. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Heading due South of Mt Washington you will find Lake Winnipesaukee encircled by gorgeous fall foliage colors. Unfortunately for us, the rain was back in full swing but you can still see how vibrant the colors are in this area.

You can drive an 81 mile loop road around the entirety of the lake, or take to the waters aboard M/S Mount Washington cruise boat.

Visit Castle in the Clouds for family entertainment and hiking, Weirs Beach for arcades or Wolfeboro for a more relaxing experience. The most popular trail in the area is Mount Major, which we highly recommend for hikers looking for excellent views over the lake.

Things To Do Around Around Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

• Take a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington.
• Or rent a boat of your own for the day.
• Ride the Lake Winnipesaukee scenic railroad.
• Try your hand at arcade games in Weirs Beach.
• Hike the popular half day trail to Mount Major summit for fantastic lake views.

Where To See Fall Foliage Around Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

• Elevation is your fall foliage friend around the lake if you want expansive views.
• Mt Major is the perfect moderate hike to include on your New England fall road trip itinerary.
• But nearby Belknap Mountain is also a popular choice for fall hikers.
• Gunstock Mountain Resort has zip lines and ski lifts for easy elevation gain.
• For easier and more close up Autumnal color vistas, simply hire a boat on the lake and explore.
• Or sit back, relax and soak up the views on Lake Winnipesaukee scenic railroad foliage tour.

10. Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia finds itself in the list of top 10 most visited and best US National Parks each year. Millions of tourists descend on Bar Harbor annually to enjoy a diverse range of amazing things to do inside the awesome park.

Varied hikes suitable for all ages and abilities, including the famous adrenaline pumping climbs Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail , are a huge draw. But despite being a typical Summer destination in the north of America, Acadia is equally as popular in Autumn and that is purely down to its glowing fall foliage colors.

Sunrises from Cadillac Mountain or Schoodic Point can be extraordinarily beautiful if conditions are right, and sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light is a very highly regarded spectacle. You will need to bring your best hiking gear, spare camera batteries and a lot of energy to the wonderful National Park in Maine.

The only problem you will face with including Acadia on a New England fall foliage road trip is its location. You will have a long drive to and from Acadia from Vermont or New Hampshire. However, if you have the time, it is unquestionably worth the extra effort.

Things To Do In Acadia National Park, Maine

• Hike various amazing trails from easy to hard (to exhilarating!).
• Photograph stunning sunrises, landscapes and Bass Harbor Head Light.
• Drive to Cadillac Mountain summit, the tallest peak on the US east coast.
• Walk or cycle maze-like carriage roads through the park.
• Explore Jordan Pond and swim in Echo Lake.
• Eat and drink in glitzy Bar Harbor, Maine.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Acadia National Park, Maine

• Mountain summits from any hike opens up special views over rolling hills covered in fall colors.
• Carriage roads are the perfect way to explore forested trails which are surrounded by trees.
• Drive the national park loop road for easiest access to fall colors.
• Jordan Pond in particular is encircled by vibrant autumnal hues.
• Cadillac Mountain summit opens up 360 degree views over Maine and the ocean.

Read our Acadia National Park guides to learn more:

• 17 best things to do in Acadia National Park
• 10 hikes you can’t miss in Acadia National Park
• Where to stay in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
• 10 key things to know about visiting Acadia in the fall

Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

New England is an enormous region and choosing exactly where to visit can be challenging. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you begin plotting a route:

• Which places are top of your list? Vermont? New Hampshire? Acadia?
• How many days can you spare on your trip?
• Do you want to book accommodation in advance or take it day by day?
• Are you in New England solely to see and photograph fall colors?
• Or are you focused primarily on hiking with colors as an added bonus?
• Do you want to use small and quaint towns as your main places to stay?
• Or are you more interested in being rural and remote each night?
• What is your budget? Can you afford to splurge on activities?

Once you have an idea about how you see your road trip panning out, use that idea as a guide to make the best decisions based on your travel style.

Next, we will go through a number of potential scenarios for 5 day, 7 day and 10 day road trip examples through New England in fall.

Use the examples as a reference but remember, they are generic and based on how we personally would plan our itineraries with hikes and photography in mind.

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Only having 5 days isn’t as much of a negative as it might usually be. Yes, you are going to have to be selective and it is going to be none stop action. But one of the major benefits to a road trip in fall is that all of the best scenery is seen when driving.

Also, the smaller states of Vermont and New Hampshire don’t require a huge amount of drive time between their most scenic places for fall foliage. Include Lake Placid in the Adirondacks and you can easily tick off most of the places in our list in 5 days.

Another consideration is with just 5 days you don’t need to worry as much about ‘following’ peak fall colors. They won’t change too much in that time frame when compared to 10 days.

Example 1 – Lake Placid NY to Manchester VT

D1 – Lake Placid : Walk around Mirror Lake, drive up Whiteface Mountain and explore High Falls Gorge. Stay in Lake Placid.

D2 – Burlington and Stowe : Walk down Church Street, cycle Burlington bike path, explore Smugglers Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort, sunset at Stowe church. Stay in Stowe.

D3 – Franconia Notch and Kancamagus Highway : Hike artists bluff trail, walk around Flume Gorge, drive Kancamagus Highway and down to Wolfeboro. Stay in Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee.

D4 – Lake Winnipesaukee and Woodstock VT : Spend morning exploring the lake or hike Mt Major, then drive to Woodstock in Vermont via Cornish-Windsor covered bridge, Quechee Gorge and Taftsville covered bridge.

D5 – Woodstock and Manchester : Visit the farms near Woodstock, drive through Green Mountains to Manchester and end at the top of Equinox Mountain.

You could start and end in New York City if flying into Newark or JFK works from your origin and budget. Alternatively, Montreal would be a better place to start for Lake Placid, hire a car and drop it off in NYC or Boston after leaving Manchester, VT.

Example 2 – Lake Winnipesaukee NH to Manchester VT

D1 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Explore the lake, hike Mt Major, take a cruise and stay in Wolfeboro.

D2 – Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch : Drive Conway to Lincoln across Kancamagus Highway, hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff. Sleep in Franconia.

D3 – Stowe and Burlington : Stowe church, hike to waterfalls in Stowe Mountain Resort, drive Smugglers Notch and on to Burlington. Ride the bike path for sunset. Stay in Burlington.

D4 – Lake Placid : Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge, Ski Jump and Mirror Lake. Or hike Mount Marcy instead but that is a full day commitment. Stay in Lake Placid.

D5 – Woodstock and Manchester : Visit the farms, covered bridges and drive through Green Mountain countryside to Manchester, finish with Equinox Mountain again.

This version would allow for a round trip loop from Boston, MA airport or Portland, ME airport.

The key to making the most of this shorter trip is to accept that you will be in the car driving a lot but that is where you will see most of the best scenery.

7 Day / One Week New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

With a week, you can get more creative, include more places or take things slower. You have more flexibility but still not enough time to add a trip to Acadia, unless you really can’t miss it and don’t mind the driving.

Colors can change a noticeable amount in 7 days, so (if possible!) factor in starting your one week trip just before ‘peak’ begins.

Either of the 5 day examples above would work with 7 days by simply taking more time in certain spots. The alternative is to add in more places to visit. Let’s look at both:

Example 1 – Lake Winnipesaukee NH to Manchester VT

D2 – Kancamagus Highway : Take the awesome road trip slowly, stop at every attraction and stay in Loon Mountain or Lincoln.

D3 – Franconia Notch and Stowe : Hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff before driving to Stowe to photograph the church. Hike the waterfall trails and see Smugglers Notch. Stay in Stowe.

D4 – Burlington and Lake Placid : Church Street and Burlington bike path, then drive to Lake Placid, get stuck into the best bits of Lake Placid and spend the night there.

D5 – Lake Placid and Woodstock : Spend the morning in Lake Placid and drive to Woodstock later in the day. Hike to Mount Tom for amazing views over Woodstock. Stay in Woodstock.

D6 – Woodstock : Sunrise at Sleepy Hollow Farm, Jenne Road Farm, visit the nearby covered bridges and relax in town. Drive to Manchester later in the day to stay over.

D7 – Manchester : Hildene, Manchester old town and stunning Green Mountain country roads, finish at Equinox Mountain.

This variation could begin and end at either Boston, MA or Portland, ME as in the itinerary above. It just gives you more downtime and time to fully explore the places you will visit.

Example 2 – Manchester VT to Lake Winnipesaukee NH

D1 – Manchester : Drive from Boston airport to Manchester, spend the day at Hildene, Equinox Mountain and exploring the town. Stay in Manchester.

D2 – Woodstock : See the best of Woodstock and spend the night.

D3 – Stowe : Hit the top highlights in Stowe and stay there for the night.

D4 – Mount Washington : Take the cog train, drive to the summit or even take on the hike. Sleep in North Conway.

D5 – Kancamagus Highway : Spend a full day on The Kanc. Sleep in Loon Mountain or Lincoln.

D6 – Franconia Notch : Hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff but drive to Lake Winnipesaukee later to spend the night.

D7 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Spend the last day around the lake, cruising, hiking or relaxing.

This loop direction was reversed to give an idea about how you could make it work in a clockwise route. Again this would be starting and ending in Boston or Portland, with JFK or Newark as alternative options.

Instead of driving out to Lake Placid, you could stick to Vermont and New Hampshire, which is where the very best colors are found.

10 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

With a full 10 days to spend on your New England fall road trip, you can either max out your itinerary and see all of the best bits or choose to spend more time in fewer places.

Personally, we’re the max out itinerary type and we would definitely include Acadia National Park in our 10 days. It adds in some serious driving time but the journey there is picturesque, rural and most importantly colorful.

Here’s one way you can include each of the places mentioned in this list, including Acadia National Park (this is the way we drove but we spent 14 days doing this route with other non-fall foliage places included in our itinerary):

Example 1 – Lake Placid, NY to Manchester, VT via Acadia National Park, ME

D1 – Lake Placid : Spend the day hiking and surrounded by gorgeous colors. Sleep Lake Placid.

D2 – Burlington : Full day exploring town and cycle the entire bike path to Grand Isle. Stay in or near Burlington.

D3 – Stowe : Smugglers Notch, Mountain Resort, Mt Mansfield and church in town. Stay in Stowe.

D4 – Franconia and Kancamagus Highway : Hike Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge, drive The Kanc and sleep in North Conway.

D5 – Mt Washington and drive to Acadia : Drive to the summit or take the cog train before driving US-2 all the way to Acadia. Sleep in Bar Harbor.

D6 – Acadia : Sunrise Cadillac Mountain, Hike Acadia Mountain and Beech Mountain, sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Stay in Bar Harbor.

D7 – Acadia : Sunrise Schoodic Point, Hike Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail, Walk around Jordan Pond, Great Ocean Path and carriage roads by bike to see the best fall colors. Final night in Bar Harbor.

D8 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Final morning in Acadia, long drive to Wolfeboro and explore Lake Winnipesaukee.

D9 – Woodstock : Photograph Sleepy Hollow and Jenne Road, hike to Mt Tom, see covered bridges.

D10 – Manchester : Hildene, Mount Equinox, nearby Bennington battle monument and covered bridges.

Tips For The 10 Day Itinerary

The only concern with this itinerary is the inclusion of Acadia National Park. It’s a 4 hour drive from Mt Washington to Acadia and 4 hours 20 minutes back from Acadia to Wolfeboro.

However, if you do have more time you can include stops on the way to and from Acadia to break up the longer drives. US-1 and US-2 are picturesque but slow going. If you’re pushed for time, take the less scenic but faster I-95 instead.

Alternatively, if you’re not so bothered by Acadia, plan to spend even more time in each of the other 9 places in this list. That would give you wiggle room in case of bad weather and plenty of time to relax.

Notice how the route starts furthest north and loops around Acadia then comes back further south?

That’s because with 10 days you should try to ‘follow’ the peak colors as they transition southwards over the first two weeks of October.

New England Fall Road Trip Map

Red Markers – Locations of the 10 best places to visit on a New England fall road trip itinerary.

Click or touch the map to activate.

Zoom in and out, move around the map of New England to find locations for the best places to visit in the area.

More From New England

• Best things to do in Burlington Vermont
• Best things to do in Woodstock Vermont
• Driving the Kancamagus Highway in fall
• How to visit Flume Gorge in New Hampshire
• The best things to do in Lake Placid New York
• The best things to do in Stowe Vermont
• Top things to do in Manchester Vermont
• Unmissable things to do in Acadia National Park

We hope this New England fall foliage road trip guide with itinerary ideas helps you plan the perfect leaf-peeping vacation!

Please let us know if you have any questions about New England or need any help planning your visit in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

29 thoughts on “New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops”

I really appreciate your compressive guide to New England for travel in the Fall. We have enjoyed most of the areas you mention in years past and loved it. My sister is visiting from Australia at perfect Fall Foliage time so we’re planning to do your 10-day roadtrip this year. I was wondering if you have an App you prefer to use to plan each segment of the roadtrip. I used Roadtrippers earlier this year and found it good, but would welcome your suggestions for a roadtrip App. I plan to download your digital guide as well. Thank you and happy travels.

Hi Sharon, we’re happy to hear you will be visiting New England again and this time with your sister. If you are looking for alternatives to Roadtrippers you could check out Wanderlog which is another useful resource. But to be honest we don’t use any apps for our road trips except for the basic and free Google Maps app. We plot points for attractions, restaurants and hotels as we research before visiting a new place, and we plan ahead so we can really get organized. If you download our digital guide and go to the end, you will find a map we created that will open in your Google Maps app and it already contains the locations for top attractions, foliage photo spots, hikes, restaurants and hotels that we discuss throughout the guide. You can of course see more places but we have preloaded the map with the essential spots to visit around New England in fall. Have a fantastic trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, Thank you so very much for your advice. I downloaded the digital guide to use. So looking forward to this trip and having your guide to get organized makes this a lot less daunting. Keep up the great work and happy traveling.

Hi Sharon, Visiting New England in fall is an amazing trip and you will have a wonderful time! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a nice comment and downloading our guide. Just let us know if you have any specific questions as we get closer to fall season 🙂

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, I have accommodations booked from Lake Placid to Woodstock. Since we want to add a couple of nights in Boston to walk the Freedom Trail and visit the Boston Tea Party site, would you recommend skipping Manchester, Vermont and going directly to Boston from Woodstock. Or, would we be missing out if we skip Manchester. Appreciate your advice.

Hi Sharon, you will have covered almost all of the best fall spots between Lake Placid and Woodstock. We like Manchester but it isn’t going to ruin your trip if you skip it, especially if you really want to see more of Boston. After 10 days or so you will have had your fill of fall colors anyway, so Boston will be a welcome change of scenery and pace. Have a fantastic time!

I would love a copy of the book as well, to use as we travel Thank you for a wealth of information!

Wow, amazing information, thank you. Have you written it in book form by any chance? I would love to drive with the book on hand for reference.

Hi Helen, you have asked at just the right time. We are currently in the process of creating a digital guidebook filled with key information and itinerary ideas for the New England fall road trip. It will be ready within the next week or so and we will email you once it is live. You will be able to either keep it on your smartphone or print it if you prefer to have a paper copy.

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, I’m using this article to plan our New England fall leaves trip and would also be interested in a copy of your digital guidebook, please. The information you provide is outstanding — thank you! ~ Carol

Thank you, Carol! We’re happy to hear you are planning a New England trip this fall. You can follow this link to see more details about our digital guidebook. If you do purchase the guidebook, remember to open up the map on page 45 when you are in each place to see the best hikes, foliage spots, attractions, restaurants and hotels. And if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask away. Have a fantastic trip!

Hello! What a wonderful site you have given us :). Question…do any of the New England fall road trips include the Berkshires? I would love to include a quick visit to The Mount/Edith Wharton’s home. Thanks, Jo

Thank you, Jo! Yes absolutely, you could easily add The Mount / Edith Wharton’s Home to the end of our 10 day New England fall road trip itinerary because it is just 1 hour 30 minutes drive to the south of Manchester VT (which is the last stop in our guide), before heading back to the Boston / NY airports. It wouldn’t be much of a detour and if you are heading that way you might also want to consider including a short drive along scenic highway 2, also known as The Mohawk Trail. Have a fantastic trip later this year!

Hi There! We are flying into Portland, (Sept 23rd) Maine and flying out of Boston, Mass (October 2nd) We have about one full week for our Fall Foliage road trip. Knowing we arrive Portland and depart Boston, what would you map out for itinerary.

Part II question, I prefer staying at one hotel for a few days and taking day trips as opposed to staying one night in several places.

Would it be wise to stay 3 nights near Acadia Nat’l Park and then 3 nights in New Hampshire (near all of the Franconia State Park and Kancamagus Hwy ?

Hi Erin, yes staying 3 nights in Bar Harbor and then 3 nights somewhere near Franconia Notch sounds like the best idea if you would prefer to stay in one hotel for each part of your trip. You can easily visit the most popular fall foliage areas in VT and NH from Franconia. Depending on how much driving you want to do, you could split your days into Vermont and New Hampshire. So one day you do Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester (the driving in between is just as picturesque as the towns), then another day you do Mt Washington, Kancamagus, Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge (which are all much closer together). Then stop at Lake Winnipesaukee on the way down to Boston. Hopefully the peak colors will be in north / central VT and NH early Oct for your trip – have a great time!

Love your site! we are planning a a Fall Foliage trip for 2023 over our 34th Anniversary. thinking any where from 10 – 14 days from the last week in Sept. to the first week of Oct. We are thinking to end our trip in Boston for a few days. If I followed tour 10 day trip guide would it make sense to fly into Albany, NY and out of Boston. Or are we better off to make Boston a long weekend trip?

Hi Randy, thanks for getting in touch and we’re happy to hear you’re planning a trip to New England next year, congrats on the 34th! Absolutely, flying into Albany and out of Boston makes perfect sense. If you make your trip 14 days total, you can follow the 10 day itinerary in our guide and then spend 2 or 3 days in Boston at the end. Something to consider is whether or not you want to see Acadia NP, it is a stunning place but it’s a long way out from the rest of New England’s top foliage spots. If you don’t include Acadia, you can spend longer in the fall color hotspots of Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester in VT, plus Franconia Notch, Kancamagus Highway and Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. Let us know if you have any more questions and best of luck with planning!

We are planning a trip to Maine in the fall of 2023 for our 40th anniversary for a total of 7 days. We would be interested in mainly leaf peeping,Arcadia NP, sight seeing/boat tours, driving the back roads and easy hikes. I really like the coast. Now that I have run across this post, I am rethinking our trip. What city should we fly into? Do you recommend spending 2 days in Arcadia NP? Should we hit some of the areas you mentioned in NH? I don’t think we have time to do your whole itinerary in 7 days. Your thoughts?

Hi Randi, glad to hear you have a trip planned to Maine for your 40th anniversary – congrats! Honestly, 7 days isn’t enough time to be rushing around New England trying to cram in everything. If you like the coast and you want to do Acadia, why not fly into Portland in Maine and slowly drive up to Bar Harbor via the back roads? Acadia is great but it is touristy and expensive, plus you won’t get the best fall colors (when compared to NH or VT). Boothbay Harbor is a nice place to stop between Portland and Bar Harbor, and you can do whale watching tours right out of the small town. If Portland doesn’t work for flight times or prices, Boston will be your best bet. Let us know if you need any more help before you travel next year.

Hi. I’m glad I found this. We are planning our 50th Anniversary to see Vermont and Maine in late September. Is it possible to stay in one place and drive to see the sights? We don’t want to keep changing hotels. This is a lifetime dream for us. Thank you.

Hi Jan, congrats on your 50th anniversary! Without knowing exactly which places in Vermont and Maine you want to see, it is possible to stay in one place but that would mean quite a lot of time spent in the car. If you have a 50/50 split, maybe stay somewhere in New Hampshire in the middle? Or if you plan to spend more time in VT, stay somewhere just inside VT near the NH border? Somewhere near Franconia NH might be a good fit so you are central to most of the fall hot spots and far enough North to see peak colors at the end of September. Have a great time!

Great article! While planning and researching for our New England Fall Foliage Adventure we saw right away that trying to predict “peak” conditions was a difficult proposition, at best. With that in mind and because we have a bit of time on our hands we decided our adventure would be from mid September to mid October 2022. We have booked all of our accommodations and now it’s all about deeply researching the areas and filling in the days. Finding your well written and in depth blog helped confirm our research was spot on and added to our happiness that we are actually going to pull this off. Plus, now we have an excellent study guide to boot! Bring on the trails, the mountains, the breweries, the lobster, cheese, cider donuts, Octoberfests and even the rain! Thank YOU and keep up the fantastic and insightful work!

Hi Jeff, thanks for getting in touch and we are so happy to hear you have planned a full month up in New England! Your list of activities is spot on – hiking, scenery, fall colors, food and beer … recipe for a perfect trip! Good luck filling in the days and hopefully you’ll get optimal weather conditions leading into the peak, just remember to keep an eye on the peak fall colors tracker when you are on site in New England. Have a wonderful trip!

Hello! This post is really very useful! We are planning to go to New England from September 30th to October 8th (we have already booked our flight from Italy). Since we would like to spend a couple of days in Boston too, do you recommend to begin with Boston and then start our road trip or to do the other way round? We would very glad if you could give us more details! Thanks a lot!

Hi Simonetta, thanks for getting in touch and we’re happy to hear you will be visiting New England this fall! This is a tough question because nobody can predict when “peak” fall colors will be in each part of New England. You can keep an eye on a live peak foliage tracker and book everything last minute, but that is risky as accommodation will book up. So, we would suggest starting with Boston and then driving up as far North as you will go on your trip (ie Stowe in VT or Franconia in NH) and then working down South to follow the peak. Please let us know if you have any more questions and you might even see us up there somewhere this year! Have a great time 🙂

I’m so happy to have found your blog post. I know how much time and effort goes into planning these type of trips, so I appreciate you writing about it and sharing it. We are looking at doing a mix of rural/city for both NH, VT, and ME. Looking closer to a 10 day trip and flexible on the dates. Would you say the hikes are fairly easy, medium, or difficult? Do you think looking into Air BNB’s out there would be better vs. hotels?

Hi Ani, thanks for getting in touch and we’re glad to hear you have a trip planned for VT, NH and ME. There are countless hikes spanning the difficulty range on this road trip route, so you do have a lot of flexibility over how long you want to spend hiking and how hard the trails are. Artists Bluff is short but has a steep climb, so we would say it is moderate but well worth it. Flume Gorge is easy and shouldn’t be missed. Acadia (if you make it that far) has a host of easy through hard hikes. Lake Winnipesaukee has plenty of hikes to suit all. If you’re looking for hard hikes take on Mt Washington or Mt Mansfield, tallest in NH and VT. You’ll likely only be spending one night or a maximum of 2 at any given place so we would say go for hotels. AirBnB’s are great for uniqueness and meeting people but for one night they are always more expensive with cleaning fees / service fees etc. By all means check prices and see if you can find any good deals or special places but we will be sticking to hotels ourselves the next time we are in New England. Let us know if you need any more help and have a fantastic trip!

Great information, love your post! We have never been to New England and would like to go see the fall colors in late Sept. or Oct. We also want to spend some time in Boston and Cape area. We are flexible on dates and number of days in itinerary. We would be interested in some hikes. After looking at you post I’m thinking Vermont and New Hampshire might work after seeing Boston. Can you help with an itinerary? We would be flying from San Diego, CA. Would appreciate any information! Thank You!

Thanks for getting in touch, Marilen – we’ll respond through email so we can provide more information.

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5 Scenic Routes for a Northeastern United States Road Trip

Last updated on July 18th, 2023 at 07:10 pm

Road trips are exciting and can create the best of memories while you experience scenic destinations and landmarks with people you care about. Whether you are going with a significant other or with a group, road trips can be therapeutic and build stronger relationships. When you’re on a road trip, you get to see the most beautiful coastlines and small towns.

The Northeastern United States is a popular place to take a road trip. This part of the US is also called New England and is composed of 10 states including:

• Connecticut
• Delaware – 8 Best Road Trips in Delaware
• Massachusetts –  8 Best Road Trips in Massachusetts
• Maryland –  10 Best Road Trips in Maryland
• New Hampshire – 8 Best Road Trips in New Hampshire
• New Jersey – 8 Best Road Trips in New Jersey
• New York – 7 Best Road Trips in New York State
• Vermont – 6 Best Road Trips in Vermont
• Pennsylvania and Rhode Island

Many people travel to these states to get a different side of American culture. The Northeast contains many attractions and scenery that is quite captivating to keep tourists and road trippers coming back for more. It is quite the opposite of the Southern part of the US given that there aren’t golden beaches and frequent warm weather like there are in Florida, per se.

If you are used to those bright beaches and climate, you can expect to have a new experience by taking a road trip through New England. Though there are precautions to taking a road trip , including checking your car is up to it, here are some of the best routes to take to experience the most scenic road trip in the Northeast. And why not make it a real road trip adventure by renting an RV through a company such as RVnGO !

1 – Route 25 through New York

Montauk Point lighthouse

This route takes you from New York to Long Island and offers a variety of scenic value and diversity. You go from the biggest city in America to the rural communities and farm towns. It is cool to see how areas can be right next door to each other and be exact opposites.

This is a great road trip for those looking to see the rural areas of the north and experience the farmlands, wineries, and farmstands. Take Route 25 (Main Road) if you want a rustic ambiance, from accommodations to dining.

You can stop for stargazing at midnight at the Custer Observatory or visit the Montauk Point lighthouse to highlight your road trip. You will get a taste of small towns, big cities, beautiful coasts, and villages on the over 100-mile long road.

2 – Route 100 to Vermont

Green Mountain National Forest

If you are looking to take a road trip during the fall, this route is one of the most popular due to its beautiful colors and forest views. Some people even visit Vermont for skiing trips and winter sports and activities. This route will give you wonderful forest views that are the epitome of the fall season image. This road goes from north to south Vermont and near the Canadian border.

You’ll start at the town of Newport and make your way down to where the road gets to Massachusetts. You’ll witness the great waterfalls and sights if you make a stop at the Green Mountain National Forest. If you want to experience the bodies of water near Vermont, take some time to visit the Mad River Valley and Lake Willoughby.

3 – Philadelphia to Pittsburgh

Strasburg Rail Road

If you’re wanting to go on a Philadelphia road trip to see the what this state and its capital, Pittsburgh, has to offer, take a short drive to its popular attractions. One attraction for this Northeastern state is the HersheyPark, which is home to the great theme park where you can find rides of all kinds and get a taste of the best candy brands. This would be a rather short road trip considering it is within one state and will offer amazing experiences along the way.

You can see the historical steam train operating system if you stop at the Strasburg Rail Road. Or take a visit to one of the oldest amusement parks in the US called Kennywood, to get the old-time historical feel.

4 – Baltimore to the Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park

The route to the Acadia National Park is a rather long one, so if you’re looking to have an extended road-trip with much to see, taking a drive from Baltimore to this natural attraction would be ideal. Spend a few days to cover the entire road or take your time and more days on the road. From bridges to iconic cities, the Northeast offers many sights to see.

You will get the chance to explore and experience the cities of New York, Boston, Portland, and Philadelphia while you are on this specific site. You’ll find all kind of authentic cuisine so if you are a food lover, choosing the Baltimore route will give you a taste of both what the city has to offer and what nature has to offer.

Once you have passed through these few cities, you’ll arrive at the Acadia National Park where you can witness the natural forests and Northeastern wildlife. Some people even enjoy camping here and other outdoor activities. If you want an extended trip, take some days out to spend time in the wilderness or go hiking. You can even take on some water activities if you want to go for a swim.

5 – Massachusett’s Coastline

Massachusett’s Coastline

Massachusetts, known for its historical factors and is the place where the Mayflower and pilgrims landed, and some of the best beaches and seafood. If you are a fan of seafood and anything that is associated with fish and shellfish, taking a road trip down Massachusett’s coasts line would be a great trip for you. The route begins in Gloucester where you can see the oldest seaport in the United States.

You’ll go down the coast of Boston and get to fishing villages. If you enjoy fishing as a sport or hobby, take time to relax and catch some fish. There will be seafood at every turn so you must bring your appetite along with you on this road trip. You’ll get to taste the popular fried clams all while experiencing artistic scenes on your way.    

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• Last Updated On
• September 14, 2023

Road Trips Around The Northeast: Unforgettable Scenic Adventures

Yearning for an extraordinary family vacation?

Let’s head towards the Northeast with its unbeatable combination of vibrant cityscapes, thrilling outdoor escapades, and irresistible culinary delights.

This part of our beautiful country promises both tranquil downtime and heart-pumping excitement, delivering unforgettable moments for every age group.

In my road trip adventures as a parent of two, I’ve accumulated some priceless wisdom to maximize your travel joy.

Whether the allure lies in the region’s historical allure, jaw-dropping vistas, or the hum and buzz of city life, road trips around the Northeast promise an enchanting experience.

Strap in, prepare for an incredible ride, and watch as the Northeast weaves a beautiful tapestry of memories for you and your loved ones.

Key Takeaways

• Preparation and thoughtful planning are essential for a successful Northeast road trip adventure.
• The Northeast offers destinations suited for outdoor enthusiasts and urban explorers alike.
• Experience rich cultural traditions, taste local cuisines, and visit iconic landmarks for a truly unique family vacation.

Road Trips Around The Northeast: Planning Tips

Whether you’re an RV enthusiast or a car-traveler, I’ve got you covered with some top tips, and must-see stops on your journey.

Timing is key: To make the most of the Northeast’s vibrant fall foliage, plan your trip in October.

However, spring brings fresh blossoms, making May or June lovely options too.

Just keep in mind that beaches are best enjoyed during summer months, and anticipate slightly longer drive times due to traffic.

Scenic byways are your friend: If you’re seeking picture-worthy landscapes, follow scenic byways such as the Adirondacks Trail or the White Mountains Trail.

These routes offer stunning visuals and give you a taste of the region’s natural beauty.

Adventure awaits in the Adirondacks: This expansive park beckons with numerous trails, waterfalls, and forests.

Perfect for families, it offers nature lovers a chance to explore and create memories together.

Wander through the White Mountains: The White Mountains in New Hampshire allow you to discover picturesque sights like Franconia Notch State Park, which boasts a lovely waterfall.

Bond with your family while hiking or simply admiring the scenery.

Don’t miss Stowe: This charming Vermont town is perfect for a pit stop in either fall or spring.

Admire the colorful foliage or go skiing when the snow hits, and take time to savor the quaint atmosphere with your loved ones.

Popular Road Trip Destinations

New england charm.

Ah, New England, the epitome of charm and beauty.

This northeastern region, comprising Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, offers a diverse array of landscapes and attractions.

Whether you’re cruising along the Atlantic Coast, exploring the quintessential spots of New England, or simply enjoying small-town charm, there’s a road trip for everyone.

Maine’s Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park offer an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts.

You can also venture to the picturesque towns of Vermont, known for its stunning fall foliage and charming covered bridges.

Small Towns and Scenic Routes

Who doesn’t love the quaint appeal of small towns?

The Northeast is full of them.

Along your road trip, you’ll inevitably stumble upon numerous picturesque destinations.

In Massachusetts, visit Salem, a town steeped in history and renowned for its witch trials.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, boasts a lively downtown and scenic waterfront.

Don’t forget to take the scenic route and explore the beautiful landscapes this region offers.

Drive along US Route 12 to fully immerse yourself in the countryside views and small towns along the way.

Historical and Cultural Attractions

The Northeast is a treasure trove of historical and cultural landmarks.

For history buffs, a road trip in this region is a must.

Consider starting in Washington, DC – although not technically in the Northeast, it’s a perfect launching point to explore the rich history of the area.

As you journey through the region, you’ll encounter numerous sites of historical significance, such as gorgeous mansions in Rhode Island or quaint, colonial-era towns in Connecticut.

Additionally, the Northeast is home to world-class art museums, galleries, and more for those seeking a touch of culture.

Here’s a quick comparison of what some of the states in the region have to offer:

Outdoor Adventures

From the majestic peaks of White Mountain National Forest to the rocky shores of Acadia National Park, there’s something for everyone.

Picture yourself cruising down the Kancamagus Highway surrounded by breathtaking foliage, quaint towns, and cascading waterfalls.

Known as the “Kanc,” this scenic byway offers plenty of spots for hiking, picnicking, and wildlife spotting.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to say they’ve driven the famous Kanc?

When you’re ready to take on a challenge, why not conquer Mount Washington?

As the highest peak in the northeastern US, it offers unrivaled views, exhilarating hikes, and even an auto road for those who prefer to stay on four wheels.

Just keep in mind the weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly.

Looking for something more serene?

Let’s talk about Lake Champlain.

Nestled between Vermont and New York state, this picturesque lake is perfect for relaxation and enjoyment.

Grab your fishing rod, rent a kayak, or simply enjoy a lakeside picnic with your loved ones.

Now, who’s ready for some maritime magic?

Head on over to Cisco Bay and Acadia National Park to get a taste of coastal charm.

Surf some waves, explore quiet coves, or indulge in some fresh seafood in a nearby seaside village.

The bay is also a fantastic spot for bird watching, so bring those binoculars.

Last but not least, let’s take a moment to appreciate the joys of camping.

From tents to RVs, there’s no better way to get in touch with mother nature than spending a night under the stars.

With many campgrounds throughout the region, you’ll have your pick of stunning locations.

Exploring Cities

The Northeastern United States has an abundance of charming cities, each offering unique experiences.

One such city is Boston, which is rich in history and culture.

Roam the streets where the American Revolution unfolded, visit the iconic Quincy Market, or catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

When it comes to coastal gems, Portland and Newport are must-see destinations.

In Portland, Maine, explore the scenic lighthouses, indulge in a lobster feast, and stroll through the vibrant Old Port district.

Newport, Rhode Island, is known for its stunning Gilded Age mansions, picturesque Cliff Walk, and thriving sailing scene.

For a touch of historical wonder, Providence, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offer distinct experiences.

In Providence, delve into art at the RISD Museum and discover the rich maritime history at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.

Philadelphia is a hub for American history, with gems like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Reading Terminal Market.

Smaller cities like New Haven, Connecticut, home to Yale University, and Buffalo, New York, which boasts beautiful architecture and rich industrial history, also leave lasting impressions.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, offers a lovely coastal retreat, while in Baltimore, Maryland, you can explore the historic Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium.

The bustling metropolises of New Jersey and Long Island, New York, offer numerous attractions, from beautiful beaches to world-class shopping.

Amidst all the excitement, don’t forget to pamper yourself in some of the best hotels in the Northeast , ensuring that your well-deserved road trip is both memorable and rejuvenating.

Satisfying Your Taste Buds

Embarking on a road trip around the Northeast means you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of delicious, local foods.

From fresh seafood to creamy ice cream, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Are you a seafood lover?

The Northeast is known for its mouthwatering seafood dishes, such as the ever-popular Maine lobster.

You can’t leave the region without trying a delicious, freshly-made lobster roll.

Along your journey, be sure to also taste some scrumptious fried clams – they’re a true New England classic.

But the culinary abundance doesn’t end with seafood.

Cheese enthusiasts will also feel right at home in the Northeast.

You’ll encounter countless local cheese shops where you can savor the various flavors and types of artisan cheeses produced in the area.

What’s a road trip without indulging in some sweet treats?

Ice cream parlors abound in this region, and they’re known for some of the best creamy, homemade ice cream.

Take your taste buds on a delightful adventure as you try different flavors, from classic vanilla to more unique combinations created by local artisans.

And for the adults in your travel party, craft breweries are a big part of the Northeast’s culinary scene.

Sampling the diverse range of craft beers on offer will give you a taste of the creativity and passion that goes into brewing in this region.

Iconic Landmarks

There are plenty of iconic landmarks you won’t want to miss during your trip.

Picture yourself exploring the beauty of the region’s lighthouses.

The Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island is one great example.

Nestled on the eastern tip, it’ll give you an amazing view of the Long Island Sound.

As you head up the coast, expect to see more breathtaking lighthouses, like the famous Portland Head Light in Maine.

Have you heard of the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island?

It’s a lovely 3.5-mile coastal walk that combines ocean views with a peek at some of the area’s incredible mansions.

Take your time, soak in the views, and snap some family photos along the way.

The history buffs in your family will love exploring landmarks like Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States.

And who can resist the charm of Salem, Massachusetts, with its rich history of witches and maritime adventures?

If you’re into quaint small towns, be sure to check out Kennebunkport, Maine.

Stroll through the charming streets, shop in local boutiques, and let your inner child run wild on the sandy beaches.

Ready for some urban excitement?

You can’t go wrong with a stop in New York City to explore Central Park and walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

If time permits, consider visiting the prestigious Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

Don’t forget to visit Provincetown, Massachusetts, near the tip of Cape Cod.

With its picturesque streets, bustling harbor, and vibrant arts scene, it’s no wonder this town holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Unique Experiences

A road trip around the Northeast offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and picturesque landscapes.

Imagine cruising through charming coastal towns, marveling at stunning bridges, exploring fascinating museums, and staying at the best family resorts in the Northeast , all in one journey.

Do you love the majestic mountains?

Your trip won’t be complete without visiting the Adirondack Mountains in New York and the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Hiking, biking, and soaking up the breathtaking views of these natural wonders are perfect family-friendly activities.

Curious about the past?

Don’t miss out on exploring historic cities like Philadelphia and Boston.

You’ll be amazed by the rich history and unique cultural experiences around every corner.

Are you an art lover?

The Wadsworth Atheneum, America’s oldest public art museum , is a must-see.

While you’re in Connecticut, visit the houses of famous authors like Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe for some literary inspiration.

When it comes to picturesque coastal drives, Gloucester and Cape Elizabeth are some gems to include in your itinerary.

Make sure to capture stunning photos at these majestic spots to treasure the memories of your trip.

Fancy a glass of wine?

Meander through wineries in Delaware or Pennsylvania; enjoy wine tastings and find your new favorite blend while learning about the art of winemaking.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, uncover gripping ghost stories and legends of the region.

Who knows, you might just learn a spooky tale or two to share at your next family gathering.

Related: Resort Cities in the Northeast

Parting Words

Embarking on road trips around the Northeast is an adventure you and your family will cherish.

The region offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, historical cities, and coastal treasures to explore.

So why not take the plunge and plan your journey through charming destinations like Philadelphia, Boston, and Portland?

As you hop between these spots, don’t forget to appreciate quaint seaside towns and tantalizing seafood, or even indulge in camping at state parks.

Naturally, you might wonder how to keep the whole family entertained along the way.

Well, with a pinch of humor, a dash of excitement, and a healthy dose of curiosity, you’ll surely keep the spirits high.

Trust that your unforgettable Northeast road trip will leave everyone beaming with memories to last a lifetime.

Related: Top Cities In The Northeast

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular destinations on a new england summer road trip.

A New England summer road trip offers you a chance to explore charming coastal towns like Portland and historic cities like Boston. You can also enjoy the natural beauty of the region by visiting spots like the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire.

What Does A 3-Day Northeast US Road Trip Entail?

A 3-day Northeast US road trip could include exploring a major city, such as Boston, and venturing out to nearby attractions or coastal towns. This allows you to experience both urban and natural sights within a short period.

Which States Should You Visit On A 5-Day Northeast Road Trip Itinerary?

On a 5-day Northeast road trip, consider visiting states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. This route enables you to see iconic cities, marvelous coastlines, and breathtaking mountain landscapes in a manageable timeframe.

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Go On A Northeast Family Road Trip?

The best time of year for a Northeast family road trip depends on your preferences. Summer months offer warm weather, perfect for beach days and exploring coastal towns. Meanwhile, the fall season brings stunning foliage, outdoor adventures, and an array of festivals to enjoy.

New England States: Planning the Perfect Northeast Road trip

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6 states, 6 days, 700 miles, countless memories

It has been a goal of ours to road trip through New England for YEARS! Karen is obsessed with tracking all the states she has visited, and the Northeast seemed like a giant black hole in her progress. Somehow for the past few years, other travel got in the way and our New England plans got delayed. The New England states are Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Both of us have only visited Massachusetts prior to this road trip. We did quite a bit of planning in order to find the perfect route through the New England states, including the best places to visit in New England and the best FOOD! If you already live on the East coast, we hope this journey planner inspires you to take a New England day trip to one of your beautiful neighboring states.

When the American Lamb Association invited us to Portland, Maine for an event, we knew it was the perfect opportunity for us to plan the ultimate New England road trip! Due to timing, we started south, drove up the coast to make it to Maine, and then ventured West across New Hampshire to Vermont. Our route can be done in either direction. With it being Autumn, it actually might have made more sense to start in Vermont and road trip south to take better advantage of the changing foliage.

Connecticut

We started in Connecticut. Our rationalizations were twofold: Karen needed to check this state off of her list, and Hartford was a larger airport than Rhode Island which made travel cheaper and provided more flexible flight options. We’re sure Connecticut has a lot of offer as a state, but we literally just flew in and headed Southeast for the two-hour drive to Rhode Island.

Rhode Island

After the easy drive from the Hartford airport, we arrived in Westerly, Rhode Island. This is a quiet town with beautiful Nantucket-style homes, gorgeous coastal views, and a relaxing aura. During our stay, we spent time at both the Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn , which are historically charming resorts and only 15 minutes apart. These are partner resorts, meaning you can use the amenities of both properties, which is perfect as each property has a different personality. The Weekapaug Inn is a bit less formal and very cozy with lots of fireplaces. They offer birdwatching, adorable rental bikes, and walking trails. The Ocean House is much more grandiose with fine art adorning the walls and very extravagant suites. They also offer many complimentary activities including cooking demonstrations, a croquet field, and even a putting green in the front of the breathtaking property.

Both properties were elegant with accommodations that range from cozy rooms with claw foot bathtubs to expansive suites with massive verandas, outdoor kitchens, jacuzzi hot tubs, and gourmet kitchens where private chefs can create custom meals for your group. Both resorts also offer free luxury car rentals. Take a Mercedes out from the Ocean House or if you are more of a beemer fan, a BMW for a ride at the Weekapaug Inn.

We met with the food forger who sources all the resort ingredients from farms, forges nearby forests, and hosts guests for private and public cooking culinary demonstrations. Talk about a cool job! He provided us some gourmet cheddar to sample and discussed how the resort’s chefs took sourcing locally and seasonally so seriously. We really wished we had time to join his free Master Sauce class that afternoon!

We dined at the Ocean House for lunch and enjoyed the creamiest New England Clam Chowder. We also noshed on two lobster rolls: hot and cold. Gavin preferred the Connecticut hot lobster roll and Karen liked the cold New England-style lobster roll. Either way, they were the tastiest lobster rolls we’ve ever had!

Dinner at the Weekapaug was a full tour of the menu with wine pairings. Dinner started with their Fall Fashioned while seated in the lounge next to the fireplace: poached local cranberries muddled with whiskey. Highlights of the meal include the best oyster we’ve tasted (it can’t hurt that it was seriously local – from about 15 miles down the road) with a watermelon radish foam. The lamb ravioli was the perfect balance of comfort food without being too heavy. A new menu addition, the scallops over butternut squash risotto was a perfect plate to celebrate autumn.

Westerly, Rhode Island was the perfect place to unplug, relax, and let time slow down. From Rhode Island we ventured towards Cape Cod.

Massachusetts

Next, we headed to Cape Cod. The Cape is technically the entire 65-mile “arm” stretching out from Massachusetts with a number of towns along the way. We decided to stay at the very end of the cape, which was about a three-hour drive. If you choose to stay more inland, you would likely shave 30 minutes or more off of your drive time.

Provincetown is the last town at the tip of Cape Cod. This LGBT-friendly town is warm and social. Historic buildings (some of the oldest in America) are just steps away from the beach where you can experience whale watching or dune buggy tours. Head down Commercial street for cute shops, art galleries, and eateries. We found ourselves stopping into old-time candy shops for saltwater taffy, the new-age Fudge Factory for homemade peanut butter cups (they were pretty dang good!), and their Portuguese Bakery for egg tarts (which were a bit disappointing, but the Portuguese cinnamon bread was delish).

We popped into Strangers and Saints for a craft cocktail and upscale gastropub eats. The decor carried a hip vibe, which was a fun contrast to the vintage feel of the rest of the street. Nosh on their clam dip for a traditional New England treat – note, it can feed a crowd! Additionally, they served up Mediterranean fare like curry octopus and reinvented comfort food like deviled duck eggs.

We stayed at the Crowne Pointe Inn . This inn is recognized by the Historic Hotels of America and is super cozy. The driveways are comprised of tons of pieces of seashells instead of gravel, adding to the charm of the inn. The lobby and most rooms feature a warm fireplace which was perfect for when the night breeze came into Cape Cod. 

Dinner at The Pointe at the Crowne Pointe Inn featured fish and seafood that was pulled right from the bay down the street – talk about fresh!! We loved the lobster gnocchi with an irresistible lobster butter sauce. The halibut came on top of perfectly cooked risotto with a pea puree. The most impressive part of dinner, however, was the massive two-pound whole lobster! 

Traveling from Cape Cod to Portland, Maine was one of the more entertaining driving segments of the whole New England road trip. A few pit stops along the way gave us time to stretch our legs and experience additional aspects of New England history. About an hour from the Cape was Plymouth, MA, home of Plymouth Rock. While the stop was relatively quick (after all, it literally is just a rock, and much smaller than you’d expect) it was a fun part of American history to experience. If you have time, join a tour or visit the neighboring museums. We only hung out for about 10-15 minutes and then continued north.

In no time we were passing Boston. If we had more time we would have totally stopped in Boston for a day or two. Since we had to be in Portland by that evening, we targeted Salem, MA, for our next stop. Salem is only an hour drive north from the pit stop at Plymouth Rock. It just so happened that we were visiting a town known for their famous witch trials on Friday the 13th AND during the month of Halloween! CREEPY! While nothing paranormal happened to us, the town was bustling with lots of people, a street market, and lines outside of haunted houses, torture museums, and fortune tellers. We spent some time wandering through the Salem Witch Trials Memorial . You’ll see an old graveyard as well as Memorial stones for all 20 people who were executed during the months of the Salem Witch Trials.

About one block down from the memorial, we walked to the Notch Brewery for an Oktoberfest beer and a pretzel. It was a really cool spot right on the water. It would have been fun to have stayed the night on such a spooky day, in this spooky town, but we needed to head northbound for another hour and a half drive to Portland, Maine.

Portland, Maine is an adorable town with unique, old architecture and a pretty darn fantastic food scene. Our first dinner was at The Honey Paw and was part of our event with the American Lamb Association . We noshed on craft cocktails and ate Asian-Fusion dishes with an emphasis on lamb. It was spectacular! A few notable dishes were the lamb dumplings, lamb Khao Soi soup (we haven’t had Khao Soi since our journey to Chiang Mai! ), and the lamb Moo Shu. 

Prior to starting our farm adventure, we woke up early to head to The Holy Donut. This spot is voted as one of the top 10 donuts in all of the US. What makes them unique is that they make their donuts with MASHED POTATOES! We’re not sure how they do it, but their donuts are magical. Top picks are the apple, chai and sweet potato donuts.

After stuffing ourselves full of sugar, we hopped on a bus with 20 other food bloggers and journalists from across the country. We took a scenic tour of Maine and pulled up to the North Star Sheep Farm . The farm was picturesque with bright pastures and glowing trees that were changing colors with the season.

We started the morning with a lamb-inspired baaarunch where we noshed on sweet potato lamb hash, lamb sausages, sheep’s milk yogurt parfaits, and even lamb bacon! After stuffing ourselves, we visited with sheep, donkeys, rabbits, and horses as we explored the farm.

Later we were previewed to a full lamb butchery demonstration. Up until this event, our experience with lamb was typically centered around the traditional cuts. Being able to experience the different tastes, based on the cut, was so interesting. They all tasted different! The demonstration really opened our eyes to using new cuts of lamb to cook more adventurous dishes. We were inspired to braise lamb shank and cook it into a ragu as well as make lamb stock for hearty fall stews. We clinked our glasses filled with custom-made cocktails as we savored even more lamb dishes to wrap up our time on the farm.

Later that night we enjoyed small bites and cocktails with the lamb crew at The Press Hotel . The hotel was the perfect location for the blogger event as the entire hotel was themed around journalists. The wallpaper and carpet artistically displayed letters and typography and antique typewriters adorned the walls of the lobby. The rooms were modern and featured a gorgeous shower with floor to ceiling marble tiles.

Even though we technically ate at the hotel, we HAD to visit Eventide Oyster Co for some Maine seafood. This spot came highly recommended from a number of our foodie friends on Instagram . We got a dozen of some of the most delicious oysters in the US, the lobster stew, and the world-famous brown butter lobster roll. Although the lobster roll was relatively small, it seemed to just melt in your mouth. The bread was incredibly soft compared to crusty rolls you find elsewhere, which made this lobster roll extra unique.

The next morning, we went back to The Holy Donut to get our fix and then we hit the road towards New Hampshire and Vermont, the final leg of our New England journey.

New Hampshire

When driving from Maine to Vermont, there were a number of routes to take. Upon looking at the map, we thought that driving into the mountains logically seemed like a prettier drive. We chose right! The first half of the four-hour drive to Stowe, VT was pretty but didn’t have many pit stops. About halfway through, we were in the midst of the White Mountains and were overwhelmed by the Autumn colors. The mountains were orange, almost as if they were afire! We stopped at Crawford Notch State Park on Mount Washington as it had a nice roadside pull off. Gavin played around getting some gorgeous photography. Additionally, not even a mile down the road were a number of roadside waterfalls to see and snap photos.

While we didn’t have time to stay overnight in New Hampshire, we drove through the adorable town of North Conway. We’re sure there is a cute bed & breakfast available for you to rent. We passed the cutest historical train from 1847 chugging down the tracks, as guests looked out the windows at the fabulous fall foliage. You can book your ride through the Conway Scenic Railroad . Another lodging option in New Hampshire is the massive Mount Washington Resort that we passed on our route.

Vermont is the place to go for cozy romance and artisan foods. After driving through the breathtaking White Mountains in New Hampshire, our next pit stop was in Cabot, Vermont. This is only a slight detour from our route and brought us to The Cabot Cheese Factory . We tasted every type of cheese they produced and left with some goodies. Most notably was their Everything Bagel Cheddar, we’re obsessed! Overall, it took maybe took 10 minutes, but if you are interested in a factory tour you could absolutely spend more time there. Note, we found a lot of Cabot cheese being sold in Waterbury, so you can still get their cheddar in gift shops around town if you choose to skip this stop. 

Next up, we stopped at Bragg Farm Sugarhouse . This small sugar farm and gift shop was a peaceful spot to see the old-time equipment used to make and bottle maple syrup. We also tasted their four syrup varieties, picked a favorite (the Amber) and bought a bunch to bring home.

After getting back on the road we wandered to Waterbury. A lively town very close to our resort destination with a number of things to do: 

– Ben and Jerry’s Factory : Be prepared for long lines, then nosh on the famous ice cream overlooking the beautiful Vermont mountains.

– Cold Hollow Cider Mill : Free samples of their apple cider (score!), a peek at the antique equipment, and 75 cent apple cider donuts.

– Smugglers Notch Distillery: For a $3 tasting fee try their award-winning spirits including vodka, gin, whiskey, bourbon, rye, and even a maple rum! 

The city of Stowe was not far away, and that was the location of our lodging, The TopNotch Resort. On the way in, we stopped at Von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall and relaxed while enjoying a flight of their beers and a bratwurst. The Biergarten was large and the grounds had cornhole, picnic tables, and sweeping views.

Finally, we concluded the day’s road trip and arrived at the TopNotch . The resort offers indoor and outdoor pools, relaxing outdoor areas with firepits, a casual bar compete with shuffleboard (The Roost), spa, fitness classes, and an upscale dining restaurant (Flannel).

Our theme of Vermont was “Maple Everything” and that held true while dining at Flannel . We started with a Maple Manhattan cocktail that was so tasty, we ordered it all night. Another memorable dish was their fall pasta. Ribbons of homemade pappardelle, with butternut squash and slathered in a maple sage butter. It was the perfect balance of sweet and savory! Another thing we’ll miss is their smashed fingerlings. They were the side served with our perfectly cooked filet, but we were RAVING about how buttery and delicious they were.

The next morning, we were so relaxed that we decided to zen out even more at the spa. Due to tight timing, we opted to get a quick breakfast at Flannel once again. We continued our infatuation with maple by ordering their eggs Benedict (complete with a maple chive Benedict sauce), maple sausage, and pancakes with (you guessed it) more maple syrup. 

We don’t always make time for the spa when traveling but the TopNotch Resort was so relaxing, we decided this was the perfect place to continue to indulge ourselves. At the spa, we enjoyed services like the maple sugar body scrub, Swedish massage, and a pampering facial. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi for additional relaxation time, which made our spa time even more valuable.

The resort was so relaxing. We loved cozying up by the fire with a cup of coffee and seeing the beautiful fall foliage from the expansive windows in our room.

We were so sad when it was time for the 45-minute drive into Burlington for our flight home. Burlington has a number of really terrific breweries and cideries. We had every intention of getting to Burlington early enough to hit up a few. In reality, we liked the resort so much, we spent the morning relaxing. We were able to carve out about 40 extra minutes to have a bite and a brew prior to our flight. We chose Zero Gravity Brewery and were not disappointed. Vermont is the perfect romantic getaway to relax and connect with your loved one. 

We found this New England road trip to be incredibly romantic, especially because early to mid-October is the best time for fall foliage in New England. We truly think that this is one of the best road trips in the USA. It is perfect for foodies because of the varying regional specialties across each state, but this is also a great family road trip because the states are so close to each other, which really breaks up the drive. We hope that our road trip planner not only inspires your East coast road trip but potentially a road trip across America!

Be sure to pin this post to save this New England travel itinerary!

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18 comments.

Mary Reinsberg

Great job documenting your travels. I wanna go!

Karen Reinsberg

Thank you! The trip far exceeded our expectations, you need to try and go in Fall of 2018!

Wonder what it’d be like to go in mid April….

It would probably be a bit cooler but hopefully you could catch the spring flowers starting to pop up!

Hi Yin, mid April is not the best time in New England. The only flowers you’d see would be daffodils and forsythia. April is mostly mud season here. It might be nice & spring-like, or you could get a full-on blizzard. Most likely 50s & wet.

Hey Jane – Thanks so much for your insight! April in New England sounds a lot like April in MN, where Karen grew up. 🙂

Josie Lopez

We just both turned 71 and want to do this for our 50th wedding anniversary October 12th…we will be leaving around the 15th…will be flying into Boston….is this feasible for two active seniors who make road trips all the time…meaning driving and weather?…just like Karen, Josie, my wife, has always dreamed of visiting New England in the fall…

Absolutely! When we took this trip, Karen was one month out of ankle surgery and was actually in a wheelchair! The only area that was difficult for us was Cape Cod, as the historic buildings were not always handicap accessible. Additionally, Provincetown had some pretty steep hills. There are 15 cities that make up Cape Cod, so that might not be the case for other cities. The drive is pretty easy and the weather should be beautiful. Happy Anniversary and have a wonderful trip.

Marty Rowland

What an awesome itenerary! My hubby and I are planning a road trip in October. I have been looking at maps. Would you mind telling me what highways you took from Portland all the way to Stowe? I know there are different routes, but yours sounds like the perfect route to see what would interest me. Thanks! Marty

If you use google maps, choose the route that goes through the mountains, near Mt. Washington. It looks like it was I-93 to US-302 E.

Hi, what a wonderful wealth of information, thank you! Driving to a wedding in Brooklyn NY the weekend of July 4th…want to go up the coast through the NE states… feasible this time of year? Any suggestions are most welcome, thank you!

That is totally feasible! We bet New England will be very festive for the holiday.

What are the letters on the map? Are they tied to the places you stayed or visited? I couldn’t find a legend.

Those are the places we visited. We didn’t have a legend as we built the image as a way for people to see the general road trip path. That’s a great recommendation though! We will look to add that as an enhancement in the future. Happy travels. 🙂

Terry Butler

Coming from Columbus Ohio we have four days what would you recommend where to start and what airport to fly into and fly out of , will rent a car at the beginning Mostly wanting to see the coast line thank you

If you’re planning on spending more time on the coast, we’d recommend doing the leg of the trip from Westerly, Rhode Island to Cape Code to Portland, Maine (or vise-versa). Search on the calendar function in Google Flights to see if it is cheaper to start or end in Portland. Since you’re renting a car, consider flying into other nearby airports as well. We flew into Hartford to save a substantial amount on flights. Have a blast!

Where did you stay in Portland ? And how many days should we stay around there , Thank you

Wonderful article! Thank you so much for sharing this information. This is so helpful for me as I start to plan my trip to New England!

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US Road Trips: The Northeast

The quintessential city escape: seaside retreats, rolling hills, secluded lakes, beachy hangouts, sunset beers. Pack up and hit the highway with this list of weekend road trip destinations in the northeast United States. Are we there yet?

Jump to: Connecticut | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | New York | Rhode Island | Vermont

CONNECTICUT

Photo courtesy of Privet House.

Head to Southport/Westport

If you're in the mood for low-key antiquing and the beach. The Delmar Hotel and Artisan restaurant are around the corner from what is, quite possibly, the sweetest, tiniest town. Terrain , Anthropologie's stunning offshoot (greenhouse, garden center, cafe), has a packed summer lineup of classes and events. Route to take: Straight shot on I-95, 90 minutes from Manhattan. Good to know: The Gray Goose Cafe is adorable for lunch.

Head to Greenwich

If you're in the mood for fresh air and fancy shopping. Hit "The Ave" for boutiques like Privet House . Enjoy a leisurely lunch at local favorite Meli Melo , where specialties include French onion soup and freshly squeezed OJ. If you're still around for dinner, stroll down to L'Escale for harborside dining and specialty cocktails named for the seven heavenly virtues. Route to take: One hour by car from New York City via I-95. Good to know: The Drawing Room serves hand-blended teas and delicious scones with clotted cream. Their adjacent shop is the place to buy decorative pillows and scented candles. Stop off in Port Chester for a pizza margarita at Mario Batali's Tarry Lodge and freshly baked bread and cured meats from the market .

Head to Washington

If you’re in the mood for a classic, picturesque New England town. Dine by the open hearth fire at the Mayflower Inn , pick up hot cross buns and Irish soda bread from The Pantry , or take a picnic and hike the beautiful trails along the Shepaug River in Steep Rock Reserve . Route to take: A two-hour jaunt from NYC. Good to know: Averill Farm has been family-run since 1746. Go in the fall for apple picking, homemade pies, and old-fashioned farm fun. Read more on Fathom: New England Classic: A Design Duo's Favorites in Washington Connecticut

Photo courtesy of White Barn Inn.

Head to Acadia National Park

If you’re in the mood for coastal scenery at its finest. Bike the national park's 45 miles of carriage roads, hike the diverse terrain, and watch the sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain. Stay at charming and kitsch-free West Street Hotel in Bar Harbor and get popovers fresh from the oven at  Jordan Pond House before gorging yourself on lobster rolls and ice cream. Route to take: Stop along the park’s 27-mile scenic route at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. Good to know: For late night bites and weekly karaoke, head to Little A's Sports Bar . Read more on Fathom: Finding Arcadia in Acadia

Head to Rockland

If you're in the mood for farm-fresh food without the Boston or New York price tag. Make a reservation at Primo and enjoy a creative menu that uses produce and animals raised on the property. Route to take: Route 1 affords beautiful coastal scenery, complete with waves crashing into rocky cliffsides and charming lighthouses. Good to know: The Farnsworth Art Museum is also located in Rockland, giving you a good dose of culture along with a fantastic meal.

Head Down the Coast of Maine

If you're in the mood for by-the-book prep, nature adventures, and rural farm areas. Route to take: Skip around from Camden to Rockport to Kennebunkport to Norway. Good to know: Stay at the Country Inn or The White Barn Inn ; stock up on L.L. Bean ; let Ducktrap Kayak handle your paddling details. Read more on Fathom: Little Black Book for Coastal Maine

Photo courtesy of Inn at Perry Cabin.

Head to the Chesapeake Coast

If you're in the mood for a nautical state of mind. Start by gazing at the sailboats from your bedroom window at Inn at Perry Cabin . Get dirty with buckets of peel-and-eat shrimp poured onto tables covered in brown paper by day; clean up for the five-course dinner menu from a Per Se alum at Bartlett Pear Inn . Route to take: Route 301 is a pleasant alternative to the NJ Turnpike and I-95. Good to know: The NYT has a list of finger-licking crab shacks that's worth a gander.

MASSACHUSETTS

Photo by Todd Beeby.

Head to the Berkshires

If you're in the mood for dance, theater, yoga, Shakespeare, and skinny dipping with mountain as the backdrop. Route to take: Saw Mill from NYC; Mohawk Trail into North Adams from Boston. Good to know: Jacob's Pillow , Mass MoCA , Kripalu , and Canyon Ranch are all here. Read more on Fathom: Berkshires Hot List and Breathing Lessons in the Berkshires

Head to Nantucket

If you're in the mood for a new flavor profile on one the coast's most historic islands. Do Provisions for brunch, Ventuno for dinner, and Brotherhood of Thieves for a sunset beer. Shack up at White Elephant or Wauwinet . Route to take: JetBlue flies to the island during summer months. Good to know: Take the pooch. There's a lot of outdoor living, dog-friendly hotels, and off-leash beaches.

Photo courtesy of The Arnold.

Head to Barryville

If you're in the mood for locavore eating, sustainable shopping, patronizing family businesses. Stay at Hillside Schoolhouse , a two-bedroom charmer nestled in the woods of Sullivan County. Head to Benji & Jake's for cold beers and wood-fired pizza on the upstairs deck overlooking Kauneonga Lake. Pick up locally sourced pantry items from modern general store River Market or the Barryville Farmers Market (on Saturdays during the summer). Rent an inner tube and take a ride along Skinner's Falls. Follow with a long and lazy dinner at The Heron . Route to take: Route 97 through Barryville has crazy winding roads, scenic overlooks along the Delaware River, and habitats for birds of prey (once a dirt road referred to as the Hawk's Nest). Good to know: Take a cue from owner Bronson Bigelow, who quit his corporate job to open the inn and make all the furniture in it. Or just shop his collection of upcycled antiques, vintage industrial objects, and restored ice boxes.

Head to Hudson

If you're in the mood for juxtaposing well-worn Victorian charm with big city comforts and a bit of edginess. Stay at Inn at Hudson , drink a perfectly pulled espresso at Swallow , check out the mini food truck emporium on Warren Street, have killer (local, sustainable, homemade) burger with the works at the retro-fitted '50s diner Grazin' , and finish off with a nightcap and live show at Helsinki . Route to take: Ride Amtrak right into town; zip up from NYC in a car on 87. Good to know: Check the schedule for happenings at the cathedral-like Basilica Hudson , an old glue factory that's been turned into a performing arts space. Read more on Fathom: The Best of City and Country Rolled Into One Little Weekend in Hudson, New York

Head to Ithaca

If you're in the mood for a healthy dose of counter-culturalism and hippie goodness. The Argos Inn , a LEED-certified 10-room inn meticulously renovated with heated stone slab floors, velvet drapes, and turn-of-the-century Bergere chairs. It's a ten-minute walk from your velvet-flocked suite to the iconic Moosewood restaurant, which turned all-natural cooking and '70s-era co-operative business ideals into a full-fledge vegetarian kitchen collective. Obviously, pick up a cookbook . Morning coffees can and should be had at the original Gimme! Coffee (now a Brooklyn mainstay). Besides swimming holes and architectural tours of nearby Cornell campus (I.M. Pei! Koolhaus! Richard Meier!), you're spitting distance from the Finger Lakes wine country . Route to take: Make it scenic and curve up the Catskill Mountains. Make a sweet rest stop for a few scoops of ice cream made from Cornell's own dairy farm . Read more on Fathom: This Is Where Locavore Was Born

Head to Livingston Manor

If you're in the mood for a monastic environment. Book a weekend at Dai Bosatsu Zendo , a Japanese Buddhist sanctuary where you can workshop the basics of being — like breathing and being quiet. Route to take: The Palisades (from NYC) are soothing and scenic. Good to know: No prior Zen practice necessary. And if you want your alone time with somebody, you can rent a small cottage on the premises.

Head to Montauk

If you're in the mood for an easy, breezy beach weekend. Ruschmeyer's has a retro camp vibe, but the best way to hang is by renting a little something you can call home. Route to take: Drive very early in the morning or very late at night on 495 to Sunrise Highway to the very end of Montauk Highway (avoid traffic by using GPS to navigate back roads). Good to know: BYOB seafood shack Duryea's Lobster Deck and Fishbar on the Lake are musts. Read more on Fathom: Hamptons Guide and Montauk Master Plan

Head to the North Fork

If you're in the mood for large plots of farmland, farmstands, U-picks, and wineries. Book at slow-food hang North Fork Table and Inn . Route to take: Tiny town centers dot the Main Road (Route 25) and Sound Avenue (Route 48). Good to know: The Custer Observatory is open every Saturday from dusk to midnight for stargazing. While in the area: see our North Fork hit list .

Head to Phoenicia

If you're in the mood for agritourism with a Dutch design bent. Try Stony Creek Farm in Walton, where fancy tents with wood-burning stoves are nestled on a working farm. Nightly harvests become dinner. Route to take: Take 87 and stop in for a tour of Tuthilltown Spirits , the distillery where Hudson Baby Bourbon is made. Good to know: The culinary cognoscenti of NYC get their prime cuts from Fleisher's Meats ; you can pick up breakfast sausages at their full-service butcher shop. Read more on Fathom: Catskills Hit List

Head to Shandelee

If you're in the mood for hiking, biking, foraging, and dozing off in the sun. The Arnold House , an adorably Instagrammable 10-room inn (Sferra linens, Pendelton blankets, cork floors), is the perfect setting for your country retreat. Being the proper hosts that they are, the Foster family proprietors offer plenty of fun activities (ice fishing in the winter, ramp foraging in the spring, ravioli making at nearby Northern Farmhouse Pasta ). Route to take: Wind through the Palisades and continue northwest from NYC. Good to know: If you didn't bring your own pooch (the hotel provides dog beds, water bowls, housemade treats), spend some time cuddling with Adelaide, the English Bulldog.

Head to West Kill

If you're in the mood for the simple Catskill pleasures. Star at the Spruceton Inn , a Catskills "bed & bar" with mountain views. Get your pancakes stacked at Phoenicia Diner . Work off the carbs with a picturesque hike to Diamond Notch Falls , a serious hike up Overlook Mountain , or, come winter, some ski tubing on Plattekill Mountain . Dine on savory pies at Table on Ten . Ride Icelandic horses on quiet trails. Or, back at the inn, just play some bocce and make some snacks in your own kitchenette or on the grill. Route to take: Hit the Palisades and roll through Woodstock. No wheels? Coordinate a pick-up with your guest house after catching the Trailways bus from Port Authority. Good to know: Leave plenty of time to get home so that you can stop for antiques and farmstand souvenirs: raw milk and gouda from Byebrook Farm ; old thingamabobs from Lyon Mountain Blue Barn Antiques ; farmy furniture at Wood Bull antiques ; honey and grass-fed meats from Stone & Thistle . Read more on Fathom: Where to Go from NYC, the Catskills Checklist

Head to Lake Placid

If you’re in the mood for adult summer camp in the Adirondacks. Check out Wild Walk, the “High Line of the Forest,” a museum experience suspended in the treetops of Tupper Lake. Canoe or kayak down the Raquette River, and end the day with a good meal and a better cocktail at Liquids and Solids . Route to take: Hit the Taconic Parkway from New York City. Good to know: Stay at Whiteface Lodge for a well-appointed resort experience, or camp near Lake Placid , Saranac Lake , or Tupper Lake for a real back-to-nature experience. Read more on Fathom: A Walk in the Woods Above NY’s Adirondacks

RHODE ISLAND

Photo courtesy of The Ocean House.

Head to Watch Hill/Weekapaug

If you're in the mood for a gorgeous beach escape with excellent cuisine to match. The recently revamped Weekapaug Inn where sail boats, fishing gear, and a discreet, black-bottomed pool are all at your disposal. A meal of locally caught lobster, Matunuck oysters, and native beets is as memorable as the sunsets overlooking bucolic Quonochontaug Pond. Route to take: Head south on the I-95. On the way back to civilization, stock up on freshly baked chocolate chunk and molasses cookies at gourmet emporium The Cooked Goose . Good to know: Killer Swedish massages at Relais & Chateaux sister property The Ocean House are a Zen bonus. Read more on Fathom: Summer with the Kids in Watch Hill

Photo courtesy of Woodstock Inn.

Head to Woodstock

If you're in the mood for quintessential Americana combined with a new, LEED-certified spa. Book the grand Woodstock Inn in New England's most picture-postcard-perfect town. They have a serene spa and delicious farm-to-table cuisine in its casual Red Rooster restaurant. Head across the quaint village green outside your front door and make stops at the old-school Gillingham's general store and Yankee Bookshop before a lovely dinner-a-deux at The Prince and The Pauper , a town institution. Route to take: The Taconic Parkway from NYC. It might be a slightly longer route, but the scenery — and a stop at the old-school Millbrook Diner (3266 Franklin Ave.; +1-845-677-5319) — makes it worth it. Good to know: Do not skip town without a stop for black raspberry ice cream cones at the White Cottage Snack Bar . Open only in summer, this low-key spot is worth a serious, deep-fried detour.

Head to Burlington

If you’re in the mood for getting back in touch with nature and ending the day with a fantastic craft beer. Stay at eco-friendly Hotel Vermont  and dine next door at Chef Eric Warnstedt’s revered restaurant Hen of the Wood . Do some boutique shopping on Church Street, or head down the hill to Lake Champlain for lakeside activites in the summer and winter. Route to take: On your way into the city, stop at Shelburne Farms , a nonprofit farm focused on sustainability education, for tours of their historic barns, tons of scenic walking trails, and classic Vermont foodstuffs from the farm store. Good to know: August First Bakery may not allow laptops, but they have the best bread downtown. Read more on Fathom: It’s All Small Town Good Vibes in Burlington, Vermont

MORE FATHOM-APPROVED GETAWAYS

Have you seen our list of the Most Romantic Hotels in The Northeast ?

Special thanks to contributors Devorah Klein Lev-Tov, Christina Ohly, and Ilaria Urbinati.

We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.

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Enjoy the Best Northeast USA Road Trips This Year

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When it comes to exploring the very best of the United States, there is no better way to accomplish this than by taking an epic road trip. We LOVE packing our car with the essentials and then heading out on a long weekend road trip to enjoy new parts of the US. From the east coast to the west and everything in between, the US is the perfect location and epitomizes everything there is to love about road trips. If you read our post on the best east coast road trips , you will know that we are very fond of the New England corridor. What better way to celebrate this beautiful part of the country than by highlighting the very best northeast USA road trips.

We are grateful to a collection of our friends in the travel blogging world for contributing to this epic post. We have been fortunate to enjoy a couple of amazing road trips in northeast USA over recent years, but when it comes to putting together a post highlighting the “best of the best”, we figured it was appropriate to call in the experts. Let’s take a look at some of the best road trips you can experience this year and of course, in years to come.

Best Northeast USA Road Trips

Whether you are exploring the neighborhoods of Boston or heading along the coast to explore the iconic lighthouses near Portland, the New England area is the perfect spot to enjoy a spectacular road trip. Breathtaking fall foliage, picturesque wintry scenes, gorgeous national parks and much more typify why this part of the US is such a popular region for road tripping.

Here is a collection of road trips that we are going to highlight throughout the post but this is just a small sample of the myriad of endless opportunities that exist in the American northeast.

• Boston to Montreal – In 2014, we took a similar road trip from Boston to Quebec taking in all of the states in this part of the country before crossing the border into Canada.
• Providence to Newport (Rhode Island)
• Boston Figure of Eight – Cape Ann, Salem, Plymouth, Cape Code etc.
• Scenic Route 100 Byway (Vermont)

Boston to Portland

Portland to acadia national park, new york city to cape cod.

• Hudson River Valley – head a little further inland from the New England corridor and the state of New York offers a collection of amazing road trip options, including this epic journey.
• Finger Lakes (New York) – this is the “exception” to this list of New England road trips but it’s a short distance from this region offering spectacular scenery and so well worth including in this post.

Boston to Montreal

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip between Boston and Montreal

On your way to Montreal drive up to New Hampshire and into the white mountains. Pull off the road to enjoy the views, hikes, and waterfalls of New Hampshire. If you have kids along enjoy Santa’s Village or Storyland and the cute ski town of Lincoln. 

Take time to placate your sweet tooth with the world’s longest candy counter at Chutter’s in Littleton. Right before you reach the Canadian border you will find the Derby Line – you are halfway between the North Pole and the equator! You can even cross the border by walking through a library. This is the kind of kitschy stuff road trips are designed for. 

After visiting Montreal, head back to Boston through the artistic, rural state of Vermont. Take a tour at the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. Stop by the most charmingly New England town of Woodstock where you can shop, walk the town green and see its covered bridge. Also, stop by the nearby artists’ studios and farms; Hike the famous Quechee Gorge to see the best of fall’s colors. This drive will take about 10 hours and is the perfect way to experience New England.

Thanks to Jamie Italiane from The Daily Adventures of Me for sharing this awesome road trip. Read on for more details about this  road trip from Boston to Montreal .

Providence to Newport

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip between Providence and Newport, Rhode Island

New England is filled with history and great outdoors experiences, providing a plethora of travel opportunities to fit any nomad’s preference. But during the fall, the North Eastern coast of the United States erupts in beautiful hues of orange, brown, and every autumn shade imaginable. 

More specifically, Rhode Island acts as a perfect example of what the North East has to offer, and a short road trip from Providence to Newport allows you to take it all in. This is a short trip taking you through the more rural regions of Rhode Island and allowing you to take in all the foliage. 

Your destination in Newport is where the fun begins, with some of the best seafood and eateries that you’ll find in the U.S., such as the Red Parrot Restaurant. 

When you decide to eat is on you, but maybe you’d prefer to explore the mansions on the Newport shores first? Regardless, be sure to take in both no matter how you plan it, as nothing beats an autumn scenic drive ending in engorging seafood and amazing architecture!

Thanks to Casey LaClair from Viraflare for sharing her thoughts on this scenic road trip in Rhode Island.

Boston Figure of Eight

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip around the iconic locations in Massachusetts

Boston offers so many intriguing road trips that the best thing to do is to loop a few together in a figure of eight on a map. Start by heading north to Cape Ann, the quieter side of New England. Look for breezy promenades, squat light houses and the home of deep fried clams.

Return to Boston, stopping in at Salem to look at the witch trials that featured in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, then continue south. Stay overnight in Plymouth and grapple with the history of the Mayflower and the arrival of the pilgrims amid tranquil marinas and polished lawns.

From there continue into the hook of Cape Cod, her salty sand banks and calm waters. If time allows, take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, two different glimpses of life in America, each with their own charm.

Finally, return to Boston, with a quick detour to see the deep blood red of the cranberry bogs that lie along the side of the road. For further details on this journey, check out this road trip from Boston .

Thanks to Abigail King from Inside the Travel Lab for sharing this road trip featuring some of the best things to do in the state of Massachusetts.

Scenic Route 100 Byway

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip along Scenic Route 100 in Vermont

There are endless opportunities for road tripping in Vermont. The state has more dirt roads than paved and more cows than people. Route 100, which is Vermont’s longest state highway, runs 216.6 miles through the Green Mountains, from north to south. If you’re looking for a quintessential Vermont road trip, then Route 100 is the perfect place to start. 

Begin your journey in the small mountain town of Wilmington and head north through the Green Mountain National Forest. The road passes pristine mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls, secret swimming holes, and quite campgrounds. It is an awesome Vermont road trip for fall when you can take full advantage of the gorgeous fall colors and outdoor adventures in the mountains. 

Highlights of a Route 100 road trip include Jamaica State Park, where you can rent a cabin on the West River, the iconic Long Trail Brewing Company in Bridgewater Corners, and the beautiful mountain town of Stowe. Be sure to drive up the Mt. Mansfield Toll Road at Stowe Mountain Resort. At 4,395 feet, Mt. Mansfield is Vermont’s tallest peak, and the views from the top are incredible. 

After 216 miles of driving, Route 100 ends in the bustling little city of Newport, where you can take a sunset cruise on Lake Memphormagog, eat traditional Thai food at Dusit Thai Cuisine, and shop the local boutiques on Main Street.

Thanks to Tara Schatz from Back Road Ramblers for highlighting some of the lesser known spots worth exploring in the New England area in the state of Vermont .

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip along the New England coast between Boston and Portland

Many have heard of Salem, Massachusetts because of its’ haunted history of witchcraft hysteria in the 1690s and witch trials. With hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, there is no doubt that this is a must on your road trip from Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine.

With many haunted happenings no matter the time of year, the best time to visit Salem is in the fall for the biggest effect. No visit to Salem would be complete without visiting at least one of the following three attractions. The Witch History Museum is where to go to hear all the stories of witch trials and witch craft in Salem. 

Following your visit to the museum head to the Witch House, which is the only building in Salem still standing with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. The house was owned by Judge Jonathan Corwin who was the judge of the Salem witchcraft trials. It is believed that some interrogations even took place here!

On a less spooky note, Salem is also home to Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables” which offers tours and gives you a picture into what life was like in the 1800s. Salem is a culturally rich and haunted gem of the USA definitely worth your time. 

Thanks to Sarah Fay from Travels of Sarah Fay for highlighting why the iconic town of Salem is a must-see during your road trip from Boston to Portland. When you arrive in Portland, don’t forget to explore the historic Portland Head Light along with other lighthouses along this stretch of coastline.

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park along the coast of Maine

If there’s one thing Maine is definitely good for its road trips and after road-tripping the entire Maine coastline, I’d highly suggest driving from Portland, Maine to Acadia National Park in Maine. There are plenty of things to do along the way, plenty of sites to see, places to eat, and much more that you could spend weeks along this route and still not see it all. But, of course, there are always highlights. 

Starting in Portland, make sure to check out one of the most beautiful lighthouses, Portland Head Lighthouse, eat at Green Elephant in the city, grab donuts at Holy Donuts, and walk around Mackworth Island. 

Next stop is Damariscotta to grab a bit and check out the small town before heading to Pemaquid Lighthouse (make sure to go up in the lighthouse – it’s one of the few you can!). Then head to Marshall Point Lighthouse to see the lighthouse from Forrest Gump! 

Keep heading along the coast stopping in Rockland for cool street art, shopping and restaurants and then head up to Camden Hills State Park for beautiful, panorama views and hiking. The last leg of this road trip includes a stop in Deer Isle for a unique and off the beaten path vantage of Maine – drive around the entire island making leisurely stops along the way and soak up what feels like a step back in time – and a stop in Bangor to scope out all the cool Stephen King locations and a cool, sleepy New England town.

While in Acadia National Park, make sure to check out all the amazing hikes (I highly suggest the Wonderland and Ship Harbor Trail), take day trips to Bar Harbor to explore this adorable town and take a whale watching tour, and go kayaking around the many little islands. 

Thanks to Ashley Hubbard from Wild Hearted (also, Oddities and Curiosities) for sharing this amazing road trip along the Maine coastline.

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip along the coast of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts

A road trip from New York City along the coastline of Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Cape Cod section of Massachusetts in the autumn is a great idea because the weather is still pretty warm yet the crush of the summer tourist season is finished. Autumn color blooms along this route by mid-October as well. 

There are quite a few historical places to visit on this road trip. In Connecticut be sure to visit New Haven which is famous for Yale University (and Louis Lunch which is the reputed birthplace of the hamburger) and Mystic which has a renowned aquarium and living history museum. Mystic skyrocketed to fame in the 1980’s for the movie, Mystic Pizza, which was one of Julia Roberts’ first major hits. Mystic Pizza still exists and is totally worth a visit. 

In Rhode Island, be sure to stop off in Newport and visit the summer “cottages” of the super rich elite of the Gilded Age. Newport also has a charming harbour and is home to the International Museum of Tennis. 

In Cape Cod and the Islands ( Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket), you will find autumn is a great time for cycling, hiking, and fishing – pretty much every outdoor activity available during the more expensive summer months except for beach going.

Make sure not to miss the cranberry bogs in the area as well. Some of the local fall festivals include the famous Wellfleet Oyster Festival, Oktberfest in Chatham or the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival in Edgartown.

Thanks to Shobha George from Martha’s Vineyard Tourist for sharing this awesome road trip along the New England coastline.

Hudson River Valley

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip along the Hudson River Valley

When it comes to fall leaf-peeping destinations, New England tends to get all the attention. But as a native New Yorker, I promise the Empire State’s fall foliage is just as gorgeous. The best way to do a New York State fall road trip is to do a big loop, starting and ending in New York City.

Along the way, you should visit the cutest towns along the Hudson River. The best town for hiking and antiquing is Cold Spring. Before heading out on a hike, stop at Hudson Hill’s, famous for its chocolate french toast. 

Another great town is Beacon, where you can find Dia Beacon, a contemporary art museum as good as any in New York City. After the museum, eat at Brother’s Trattoria, a cozy Italian restaurant. If you feel like getting into the Halloween spirit, stop by Tarrytown. The author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving, lived here, so the town goes all out with pumpkins, skeletons, and headless horsemen every year. 

Finally, history buffs and foodies shouldn’t skip Poughkeepsie. Tour the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and then dine at the Culinary Institute of America, where Anthony Bourdain studied cooking. The Hudson River Valley has something for everyone.

Thanks to Stella from Around The World in 24 Hours for sharing this awesome New York road trip. We have previously taken a day trip from New York City to Bear Mountain , in the heart of the Hudson Valley and can attest that the scenery here is breathtaking.

Finger Lakes, New York

Click here to open Google Maps for details of this road trip around the Finger Lakes in New York

Western New York is especially beautiful in the fall. The weather gives way from hot summers to crisp mornings and evening and temperatures ready for jeans and t-shirts on a warm day or light sweaters in early fall. You can spend just about a week on a road trips to the Finger Lakes with two days in each of these these locations: 1) Corning, 2) Watkins Glen, 3) Chemung County. If you have time, add Hammondsport to your Finger Lakes itinerary.

The Corning Museum of Glass and Rockwell Museum are a must before leaving Corning to explore the beauty of the Finger Lakes region.

Watkins Glen

This is the perfect city in the Finger Lakes for a romantic weekend getaway . Their state park is a must see experience! It’s absolutely stunning and you can take an enjoyable, easy hike there. A sunset sailboat ride with Schooner Excursions around Seneca Lake is a great idea if it’s the right time in the season.

Chemung County

The National Soaring Museum is incredibly interesting and if you visit at the right time, you can take a hang glider ride from the same location in Elmira. This area is also deemed “Mark Twain Country,” where he spent many summers writing and enjoying the area.

He famously wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at his study, which is available for the public to visit at Elmira College. For those of you that have visited Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri , this will be a perfect place to visit to learn more about his iconic works.

Hammondsport

If you have time be sure to travel the short distance to nearby Hammondsport as well. Dr. Frank’s is a winery that offers tastings and a beautiful view of their vineyards in the area. We recommend taking a seaplane ride with Finger Lakes Seaplanes over Keuka Lake too. It’s especially splendid during fall! 

Thanks to Mikkel from Sometimes Home for sharing a part of New York that we are particularly excited about visiting in the near future.

Road tripping around the New England states offers a little bit of everything, with an eclectic blend of urban beauty mixed in with breathtaking rural bliss. Whether you are intrigued by the myriad of lighthouses along the coastline or perhaps want to learn all about the history of the Salem witches, planning a road trip around northeast USA is always going to offer plenty of opportunities for amazing experiences.

We think the above collection of road trips offers a diverse blend of experiences and we want to thank each and every travel blogger for contributing to this post. We look forward to adding other northeast USA road trips to this post in the future, so please feel free to share your favorite trips in the comments section below.

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I love nature ,the green, waterfalls looks incredible. Great article and lovely photos.

Loved this post! keep it up 🙂

road trip is my weakness, and i can die for any of road trip. This article is very useful, hence last week i just reach north america after 1000 km trip by bike. Your article also inspired me to do again, i am planning for new trip, and very soon i will be start. Your photos are really nice…

wow! lovely images and whole content of your journey.

thank you so much

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U.S. Coastal Road Trip Vacation Ideas

The road trip is a quintessential american getaway, and these california and new england coastal routes take you past spectacular scenery, plus luxurious places to spend the night..

by American Express Travel®

May 28, 2024

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When the weather’s fine, there’s an eagerness to get outdoors. If you’re looking to hit the road without roughing it, you can uplift your getaway with stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection properties.*

Each day brings scenic views and new adventures while each evening you can pull over and settle in for an indulgent stay. After all, Platinum Card® Members can enjoy an exclusive suite of benefits including a room upgrade upon arrival, when available†, guaranteed 4pm check-out, a $100 credit which varies by property, to use toward eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, and daily breakfast for two when booking a Fine Hotels + Resorts® property through Amex Travel. When staying at least two nights with The Hotel Collection, Platinum and Gold Card Members get a $100 credit, which varies by property, to use toward eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, and a room upgrade upon arrival, when available. †

We’ve mapped out road trip itineraries for the California and New England coasts that hit a variety of Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties ready to welcome you with comforts and benefits. You could cruise from New York to Connecticut then hug the coast up to Maine, taking in the charms of lighthouses and gilded-age mansions and the taste of fresh lobster. Or zigzag your way down from the vineyards of Sonoma County past San Francisco and along the rugged Pacific coastline towards the beaches of San Diego, where the surf’s up and the sun’s out.

Whichever route calls to you, keep in mind that you earn 5X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with your Platinum Card through AmexTravel.com . You also have the option to use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of your prepaid hotel and prepaid car rental making it easier to turn your road trip daydreams into a reality.*

† Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.

New England Road Trip

If you’re taking the scenic route from New York City to Maine, prepare for a stunning coastline and picturesque stops ahead. Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties are more than a stop along the way — they’re an entirely elevated take on a road trip.

Start in New York City with ➊ The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel as your base. Built in 1881, this landmark property is where untold history meets timeless heritage.  Enjoy a crisp cocktail in Manhattan’s living room at The Bar Room and end your night at Le Gratin, where you can use your $100 credit on a Lyonnaise-inspired meal in courtesy of chef Daniel Boulud.

Once you’re ready to make the city-to-country switch, head pretty much due north through Connecticut. After you drop your bags at ➋ Mayflower Inn and Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection , in Washington, CT, take advantage of early 12pm check in (when available) and stroll along one of the state’s beautiful beaches. There are 58 landscaped acres of woodland and gardens where you can stretch your legs, with even more time to explore when you take advantage of guaranteed 4pm checkout. When it’s time for a bite, chef-in-residence April Bloomfield’s farm-to-table menus provide nourishment worth writing home about. 

If directly on the water is where you prefer to be, make your way east to the New England coast and park yourself for the night (or longer) at Newport, RI’s ➌ Brenton Hotel . Pick a room overlooking the Newport harbor and, once settled, head out to absorb the old glamour of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and the sea air. Take your meals with an ocean-side view at The Living Room, or “LR” as the locals say, where you can take advantage of your $100 credit.

Nantucket bound? Book at ➍ The Wauwinet,   in Nantucket, MA, for access to extraordinary private northeast beaches. Savor one of Nantucket's best wine programs and take a 50-minute cruise on The Wauwinet Lady to the waterfront TOPPER'S restaurant, where you can apply your $100 credit toward dinner. Life on the water is good—extend that goodness by taking advantage of 4pm check-out.

Making your way further north will land you at the ➎ Mandarin Oriental, Boston , located in the heart of Boston’s chic Back Bay neighborhood. Use 12pm early check-in (when available) to drop your bags and explore the city’s finest shopping, cultural venues, and restaurants. After a packed day of sightseeing, use your $100 credit at Boston’s first and longest running five-star awarded spa and indulge in expansive serene spaces, including the Crystal Steam Room.

Once you’ve hit Boston, you’re almost at Maine, and Maine in the summer is magic. The ➏ Inn by the Sea , in Cape Elizabeth, is a local beach landmark offering a classic charm and gold-standard service. Hike, swim, boat, explore — and then put your $100 credit, with a 2-night stay, toward the hotel spa’s signature Sea Waves massage. You can also check out the nearby historic lighthouses or spot wildlife at Great Pond. 

California Road Trip

The drive along the California coast is a legendary one that can be done again and again, in so many ways. Whether you’re starting from the Bay Area and heading south, or doing San Diego to San Francisco, the Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties dotting the path are an excellent place to rest between the miles—and make your Golden State road trip truly memorable.

If your starting point is the Bay Area, why not immerse yourself in Sonoma wine country at ➊   Hotel Healdsburg , featuring bespoke artwork, ceramics, and furniture by local artists and designers. Open your room’s French doors to a private balcony overlooking the garden, town plaza, or countryside. Bike around Sonoma County and sample transatlantic wine tastings. Take advantage of your $100 credit, with a 2-night stay, at the vibrant Dry Creek Kitchen, where you can choose from an extensive wine list highlighting some of Sonoma’s best.

Burrowed in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, ➋ InterContinental, San Francisco puts you within walking distance of the Theater District and Union Square. After a day full of sightseeing activities – museum visits, the Ferry Building, maybe even a cable car ride or a tour of Alcatraz Island – treat yourself to a fine-dining meal at Luce, where you can use the $100 credit, with a 2-night stay.  

For a change of scenery and decidedly less urban stay, make the 50-minute drive to ➌ Rosewood Sand Hill in Silicon Valley, where five-star luxury meets California calm. All accommodations come with balconies or terraces with breathtaking views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Take a horseback ride at Glenoaks Equestrian Center or use your $100 credit toward meal at the award-winning Madera. 

The central coast feels like the American Riviera once you hit ➍ Alila Ventana Big Sur , where the sky, the sea, the mountains, and the redwoods all converge. Wake up to views of this natural beauty from your secluded suite with a private balcony, one of the villas or glamping options at the resort. Use your $100 credit toward a meal on the outdoor deck at Sur House or a picnic basket for the next day’s drive further south; treatments in an outdoor cabana at the resort’s Spa Alila are another tempting option.

Heading further down the coast, you'll want to brake in the tranquil town of Santa Barbara. Take in the serene backdrops of vineyards, ocean views, and coastal countryside from the ➎ The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara . The Mediterranean architecture and laid-back charm will inspire you to slow down and appreciate every moment, which is even easier thanks to guaranteed 4pm check-out. You might explore the coast on horseback, splash around two beaches, and use your $100 credit at the locally sourced restaurant Angel Oak.

The ➏ Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach  is perched on 175 stunning acres that encompass a private beach club, three pools, an oceanfront spa, and restaurants. Finish off a day in paradise with a nightcap around the fire pit, and make the most of guaranteed 4pm check-out hitting the greens at Monarch Beach Golf Links.

When you’ve reached San Diego, don’t worry, you’re not done yet. The ➐ Fairmont Grand Del Mar feels like an entire vacation on its own with four heated pools, golf, an outdoor fitness center, self-guided hiking trails, plus some of California's prettiest beaches. Extend your time on the coast, and in the lap of luxury at Fairmont, with guaranteed 4pm check-out.

Get more out of your road trip

Convenient car rental protection when you need it. Enroll your American Express® Card in  Premium Car Rental Protection ◊ . Your Card will be charged one flat rate per rental period, not per day like rental companies may charge. Fees, coverage limits, and coverage areas apply.

Eligible Platinum Card Members can enjoy complimentary premium status for car rental programs as well as additional benefits and discounts. Each status program has a set of benefits for eligible Platinum Card Members and way to claim them. Log into your Platinum Card account to view your specific Car Rental Privileges . Enrollment required. Terms and limitations apply.

Global Dining Access by Resy gives eligible Card Members special access to sought-after restaurants across the globe when you add your eligible Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy app. Terms apply.

When you Shop Small , you’re not just supporting neighborhood favorites – you’re investing in the community. When you’re a local or visiting, explore our map to find small businesses near you.

◊ Premium Car Rental Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0610 or Policy PCRP-IND and is subject to change with notice. Coverage is not available for ride-sharing companies that allow individuals to rent out their personal vehicle. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy. Premium Car Rental Protection is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., California license number 0649234.

Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program:  Fine Hotels + Resorts ®  (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card ®  Members, and Centurion ®  Members. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for FHR program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles ®  Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express ®  Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Program:  The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card ®  Members, and Centurion ®  Members. Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts, and Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible for THC program benefits. Delta SkyMiles ®  Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express ®  Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

$200 Hotel Credit: Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when they or Additional Platinum Card Members use their Cards to pay for eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card) or when Companion Platinum Card Members on such Platinum Card Accounts pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Please note, access to the benefit may take up to 24 hours to take effect on your Card after Account opening. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. Fine Hotels + Resorts® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Companion Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise).  

Statement credits are typically received within a few days, however it may take 90 days after an eligible prepaid hotel booking is charged to the Card Account. American Express relies on the merchant’s processing of transactions to determine the transaction date. The transaction date may differ from the date you made the purchase if, for example, there is a delay in the merchant submitting the transaction to us or if the merchant uses another date as the transaction date. This means that in some cases your purchase may not earn the statement credit benefit for the benefit period in which you made the purchase. For example, if an eligible purchase is made on December 31st but the merchant processes the transaction such that it is identified to us as occurring on January 1st, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. If the Card Account is canceled or past due, it may not qualify to receive a statement credit. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. Please refer to  AmericanExpress.com/FHR  and  AmericanExpress.com/HC  for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively. 

5X Membership Rewards ®  Points Platinum Card:  Basic Card Members will get 1 Membership Rewards ®  point for each dollar charged for eligible purchases on their Platinum Card ®  or an Additional Card on their Account and 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible travel purchases on any Card on the Account (“Additional Points”), minus cancellations and credits. Eligible travel purchases are limited to: (i) purchases of air tickets on scheduled flights, of up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year, booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (by calling 1-800-525-3355 or through AmexTravel.com); (ii) purchases of prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel; and (iii) purchases of prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases do not include: charter flights, private jet flights, flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (other than prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing or similar service fees, ticket cancellation or change fees, property fees or similar fees, hotel group reservations or events, interest charges, or purchases of cash equivalents. Eligible prepaid hotel bookings or prepaid flight+hotel bookings that are modified directly with the hotel will not be eligible for Additional Points.

Bonuses that may be received with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express cannot be combined with this benefit. Any portion of a charge that the Basic Card Member elects to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional terms and restrictions apply.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for Additional Points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn Additional Points if the merchant’s code is not included in an Additional Points category. Basic Card Members may not receive Additional Points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an Additional Points category. For example, you may not receive Additional Points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services, a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers), or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card or visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.

5X Membership Rewards Points for Business Platinum Card:  You will get one point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Business Platinum Card ®  from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Additionally, eligible travel purchases include prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel, over the phone with our Travel Consultants or made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages over the phone, vacation packages, car rentals, cruise, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the 5x Membership Rewards ®  points, you must both reserve and charge the travel purchase with the same eligible Business Platinum Card ® . To modify a reservation you must cancel and rebook your reservation. You can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation penalty policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for this 5X Membership Rewards ®  point benefit. To be eligible to receive extra points, Card account(s) must not be cancelled or past due at the time of extra points fulfillment. If booking is cancelled, the extra points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards account. Extra points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account approximately 6-10 weeks after eligible purchases appear on the billing statement. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this benefit. The benefits associated with the Additional Card(s) you choose may be different than the benefits associated with your basic Card. To learn about the benefits associated with Additional Card(s) you choose, please call the number on the back of your Card.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for additional points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn additional points if the merchant’s code is not included in an additional points category. You may not receive additional points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an additional points category. For example, you may not receive additional points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

Please visit  americanexpress.com/rewards-info  for more information about rewards.

Pay with Points:  To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards ®  program-enrolled American Express ®  Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Minimum redemption 5,000 points.

See  membershiprewards.com/terms  for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions.

If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. Corporate Card Members are not eligible for Pay Over Time.

Car Rental Privileges: Avis, Hertz, National: Consumer Platinum Card® Members, Corporate Platinum Card® Members and Business Platinum Card® Members are eligible to receive complimentary status in the following programs: Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Accounts are also eligible for this benefit. Companion Platinum Cards® on Consumer Platinum Card Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Card Accounts are not eligible to receive this benefit. Benefits provided to Platinum Card Members are subject to each car rental company’s terms and conditions, including age restrictions, and require enrollment in each car rental program through your American Express online account to receive benefits. Payment must be made using the Platinum Card. Platinum Card Members are required to enroll in Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Emerald Club memberships to receive the car rental program benefits. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® is a registered trademark of Hertz System, Inc. Minimum rental age is 25 (exceptions apply). Minimum age to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is 21. Standard rental terms and conditions apply. National collects Frequent Flyer Tax Recoupment Surcharge to cover the federal tax on the cost of the miles awarded at the time of rental. Discount applies to base rate only. Taxes (including GST), other governmentally authorized or imposed surcharges, license recoupment/air tax recovery and concession recoupment fees, airport and airport facility fees, fuel, additional driver fee, one-way rental charge, and optional items are extra. Renter must meet applicable age, driver, and credit requirements. Advance reservation required. May not be combined with other discounts. Availability is limited. Subject to change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. National’s Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and their services require a signed Master Rental Agreement to be on file. Please note that the Car Rental Privileges program available to Platinum Card Members is a separate program from the Premium Car Rental Protection insurance product offered by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be canceled or past due. If you have a Card on file with one of the eligible partners, make sure that the most up to date Account information is on file or else you may not receive the benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your card.

Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards ®  program apply. Visit  membershiprewards.com/terms  for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to  www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo .

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit  americanexpress.com/travelterms

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• Take a road trip to the East Coast's coolest towns for a perfect blend of history, luxury, and charm this summer.
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17 Perfect East Coast Destinations For A Road Trip

Newport, rhode island, newport, rhode island, earns its reputation as the coolest town on the east coast for its rich history, stunning coastal scenery, vibrant arts scene, and culinary excellence.

Once a summer playground for America's elite during the Gilded Age, Newport's opulent mansions along the Cliff Walk offer a glimpse into its luxurious past. Its rocky shores, sandy beaches, and picturesque harbor add to its allure, captivating visitors year-round. The town's vibrant arts and cultural scene, with art galleries, live music venues, and trendy cafés, make it a creative hub.

Moreover, Newport's diverse culinary offerings, from fresh seafood to farm-to-table cuisine, provide unforgettable dining experiences. Overall, Newport epitomizes timeless elegance, natural beauty, top sights in the state , cultural vibrancy, and culinary excellence, making it the coolest town on the East Coast for those seeking a perfect blend of history, luxury, and charm .

Outer Banks, North Carolina

With over 100 miles of coastal scenery, charming villages, and secluded beaches, obx provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

The Outer Banks is a favorite summer holiday destination for many, and it's easy to see why . With over 100 miles of stunning coastal scenery, quaint villages, charming rental cottages, and authentic restaurants, it's the perfect blend of invigorating and relaxing. Connected to the mainland by bridges, the OBX beaches feel secluded and dreamy.

The Outer Banks have a rich maritime history, known for shipwrecks, pirates, and the Wright Brothers' first flight in Kitty Hawk. You can climb the tallest sand dune you've ever seen at Jockey's Ridge State Park, take a boat cruise, visit historic lighthouses, or try your luck fishing off the Nags Head Fishing Pier. And don't miss soaking up the history of Roanoke Island or exploring the wild beauty of Hatteras Island in the south.

7 Scenic But Underrated North Carolina Outer Banks Towns

Cape may, new jersey, cape may, new jersey, exudes coastal charm and historical elegance, making it a cool destination for a summer getaway.

Known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture, Cape May is a small, underrated town in New Jersey, offering a picturesque backdrop for strolls and architectural admiration. The town's pristine beaches beckon sun-seekers and water enthusiasts alike, providing ample opportunities for relaxation and seaside fun.

Cape May's lively boardwalk adds to its allure with vibrant shops, eateries, and family-friendly attractions, creating a vibrant atmosphere day and night. Additionally, the town boasts a rich cultural scene, including art galleries, theaters, and festivals, ensuring there's always something exciting to explore .

Ocean City, Maryland

Take in the 10-mile stretch of golden sand beaches, a bustling 3-mile-long boardwalk, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

If you're looking for a classic East Coast beach getaway, Ocean City, Maryland, has got you covered. Picture this: 10 miles of golden sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, fun-packed activities, and a bustling resort vibe.

You'll want to check out the famous boardwalk for some mouthwatering food, games, drinks, and cool Ocean City souvenirs. And speaking of food, make sure to try Thrasher’s French Fries, Fisher’s Popcorn (the caramel popcorn is a hit), and Dolle’s Candyland for some delicious salt water taffy.

Whether you're into lazy sunbathing, building sandcastles, water sports, or exploring nearby Assateague Island, Ocean City has something for everyone . It's buzzing with bars and restaurants offering live music and entertainment every night. Just a heads-up: it gets pretty busy during the peak summer season, so make sure to book your stay early.

10 Best Rides At Ocean City's Jolly Roger Amusement Park

Nantucket, massachusetts, timeless charm, rich maritime history, pristine beaches, vibrant cultural scene, and a laid-back island lifestyle.

Nantucket's timeless charm is evident in its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and iconic lighthouses, offering a glimpse into its rich maritime history. What truly sets Nantucket apart is its laid-back island vibe, where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of mainland life and immerse themselves in the island's relaxed atmosphere.

Quaint boutiques, art galleries, and upscale restaurants line the streets of downtown, offering an eclectic mix of shopping and dining experiences. In summer, Nantucket comes alive with festivals, events, and outdoor activities. From the annual Nantucket Film Festival to the world-renowned Nantucket Wine & Food Festival, there's always something happening on the island.

Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, go whale watching off the coast, or embark on a sailing excursion to discover the island's hidden coves and bays. With its picture-perfect scenery, rich cultural heritage, and laid-back island lifestyle, Nantucket captures the hearts of visitors seeking an unforgettable East Coast summer vacation in 2024.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Stunning coastal views, abundant outdoor activities like kayaking, whale watching, and hiking, and a charming seaside atmosphere.

If you're craving a taste of Maine's rugged coast, Bar Harbor should be at the top of your list. With its charming seaside vibes and stunning views of the Cranberry Islands and distant mountains, it's a feast for the eyes.

Bar Harbor was originally a fishing and shipbuilding village before becoming a summer retreat for wealthy vacationers in the late 19th century. And while it's now a popular gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has plenty to offer on its own . Imagine kayaking around the sandbar (only visible at low tide), whale watching, or strolling along the century-old Bar Harbor Shore Path. And let's not forget about the mouthwatering lobster. This town knows how to do seafood right!

13 Underrated East Coast Cities In The U.S To Visit

Myrtle beach, south carolina, an expansive 60-mile-long sun-drenched grand strand beach and a plethora of fun activities for couples and families make it hard to leave.

Myrtle Beach started as a small resort town in the early 20th century and grew into a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and entertainment. It's like stepping into a neon-lit wonderland, with endless stretches of sun-drenched sand, lively boardwalk, and thrilling attractions. It's like Coney Island meets Brighton Beach, but with a Southern twist.

From the iconic SkyWheel to mini-golf courses and souvenir shops, there's never a dull moment here. And let's not forget about Ripley's Aquarium and the Pirates Voyage dinner show. Whether you're here for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Myrtle Beach has something for everyone.

Your Botanic Summer Road Trip

The New England Edition

Published May 31, 2024

Summer has long been synonymous with road trips, and we can’t imagine that this coming summer will be any different. There are many reasons to pack up the car and get on the open road–family visits, beach destinations, the thrill of adventure, to name just a few. We’d like to offer one more: discovering new botanic gardens and all the plant wonders they have to offer.

One of your benefits as a Friend of the Botanic Garden of Smith College is free or reduced entry at over 300 gardens nationwide through the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. It’s like a passport to public gardens across North America. A passport we encourage you to fill with stamps.

Individual memberships get one entry to participating gardens, and family memberships will get at least two. Be sure to check with individual gardens for details. All members have access to this benefit, no matter where in the country you’re located, so be sure to check your state for participating gardens at the American Horticultural Society website. But if you’re located near us in Western Massachusetts, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite New England botanic gardens that are free to you and well worth taking a day or overnight trip to discover.

Almost all of these gardens would make for a lovely day-trip destination from Western Massachusetts. If you’re looking for a grander adventure, we’ve mapped out three road-trip journeys: the Northern New England Tour which hits the coast of Maine, the Lower New England Tour which dips into Connecticut, and the Eastern Mass Tour because there are so many public gardens worth visiting in this part of the state. Each of these road trips offers at least three gardens to explore, and guarantees loads of botanical beauty to fill your summer.

Northern New England Tour

Justin Morrill State Historic Site Gardens Strafford, Vermont The grounds at the Justin Morrill Homestead are defined by circuitous serpentine walkways, arabesque beds planted with colorful annuals, and historic specimen trees including a Magnolia kobus and the oldest Norway spruce in Vermont. The homestead is open for guided tours Thursday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 26 through October 8.   

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Boothbay, Maine Yes, it is a bit of a drive to make your way to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens from Western Massachusetts, but we can’t think of a better garden to plan an overnight trip around. Located on over 300 acres along the Midcoast, this garden is a true Maine experience. Some of the highlights you’ll see on your visit are the Vayo Meditation Garden, a dahlia garden, and the Native Butterfly House—a 2,160-square-foot Gothic-style hoop house featuring a planting scheme dedicated to supporting the life cycles of moths and butterflies native to New England.

Bedrock Gardens Lee, New Hampshire On a 30-acre former dairy farm, the creators Jill Nooney and Bob Munger designed and constructed a 20-acre garden notable for the variety of plants collected over the past 30 years. Original garden design features—including a fernery, the Dark Woods, the Wiggle Waggle water channel and the large Torii pergola in the middle of the 400-foot Allée—as well as many varied sculptures are found throughout the gardens. The main path, designed as a journey, winds its way through all these features.

Lower New England Tour

Berkshire Botanical Garden Stockbridge, Massachusetts Berkshire Botanical Garden encompasses 24 acres of gardens. The vast display of plants is a testament to the garden’s long history, having been established in 1934. Some of the highlights you’ll see on your visit are the contemplative Pond Garden, the historic 1937 Herb Garden, the Foster Rock Garden, and native plant gardens. Overall, the garden features over 3,000 species and varieties of herbaceous and woody plants.

The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home Lenox, Massachusetts Edith Wharton’s estate at The Mount showcases traditional French, Italian and English design—evident both in the architecture of the home and the gardens. Here you’ll find sunken Italian gardens, formal French flower gardens, and even a rock garden. If you’re in the area, you’ll definitely want to add this stop to your itinerary and take a guided tour and/or the self-guided audio tour for a richer experience.

Connecticut College Arboretum
 New London, Connecticut
 The Connecticut College campus is home to a stunning arboretum which consists of 750 acres of plant collections. Some of these collections include the Native Plant Collection, the Caroline Black Garden, and the Campus Landscape
and Greenhouse (all have interactive online maps to make exploring them even more engaging). There are also natural areas to explore like Mamacoke Island.   

Eastern Mass Tour

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill Boylston, Massachusetts New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill spans 171 acres. This expansive garden has something for everyone, such as its Garden of Inspiration, which is a formal garden with influences from historic French garden design, Pliny’s Allée, made up of a regal row of oak trees underplanted with lovely fothergilla, sweetspire and witch hazel, and the Wildlife Refuge Pond, which has a lovely viewing pavilion.

Garden in the Woods Framingham, Massachusetts For an immersive native plant experience, nothing beats a visit to Garden in the Woods (headquarters of Native Plant Trust). On these 45 acres, you’ll come across hundreds of plant species native to New England (as well as historical species from across North America). Throughout the both highly cultivated and minimally managed environments you’ll also come across a brook, a pond and lovely wetlands.

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Boston, Massachusetts The Arnold Arboretum is a full-day experience. This 281-acre preserve of trees and woody plants in the heart of Boston has been an aesthetic and educational resource since it was founded in 1872. Like our garden, the Arnold was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is committed to the Olmstedian principle that everyone is entitled to open space. A research museum set in a public park, its gates are open to everyone, every day, free of charge

Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum Milton, Massachusetts The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum spans over 22 acres in Eastern Massachusetts and features formal gardens, orchards, woodlands and wetlands. We recommend making the trip during the month of June, when over 300 kousa dogwood trees are in flower. They call this time of year the Dogwood Days. We call it the best reason to get on the road.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Severe weather causes several road closures through NELA

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - There are several road closures in the Northeast Louisiana region after severe weather rolled through the area overnight on Tuesday, June 3.

Below is a list of all of the road closures.

Union Parish

• La. 348, located about 1.5 miles east of its intersection with La. 549

Ouachita Parish

• As of 9:30 p.m., DOTD crews were working to remove fallen trees from I-20 West near mile marker 106. The last update from the DOTD was that the roadway would be cleared soon after 9:30.

Reopened roads

• La. 810 in Jackson Parish, located about 0.75 miles east of its intersection with La. 505
• La. 548, located about 1.2 miles east of its intersection with La. 34

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How to watch ‘Guy’s All-American Road Trip’ season 3 premiere for free

• Updated: Jun. 07, 2024, 1:00 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 07, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
• Mallory Dwortz | [email protected]

“Guy’s-All American Road Trip” season 3 premieres Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network . Stream new episodes for free with a trial period from either Philo , Sling , or DIRECTV Stream .

Guy Fieri hosts the South Beach Wine & Food Festival - Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village KitchenAid Culinary Demonstration on 13th Street & Ocean Drive, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 in Miami Beach, Fla. (Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/Invision/AP) Michele Eve Sandberg/Invision/AP

About the show:

Guy Fieri of Food Network ’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” stars in “Guy’s-All American Road Trip” alongside his family, and friends like Chef Antonia Lofaso. The show follows their group of RVs as they travel from South Dakota to Wyoming, stopping along the way to partake in “culinary competitions and amazing local meals,” writes the series page .

Watch “Guy’s-All American Road Trip” tonight at 9/8c on Food Network .

Where to watch:

• Philo (start free trial) - For $25/month , ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more. Click here to watch.
• Sling (try today) - Register for Sling to stream 30+ channels of Food Network shows, sports, DVR storage, and more — all for as low as $20/month (half-off first month for a limited-time). Click here to get started.
• DIRECTV Stream (try it free) - Choose DIRECTV Stream to enjoy 75+ channels and numerous entertainment add-ons. Prices range from $69.99/month to $159.99/month . Compare plans here .

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