New England, USA road trip
New England Road Trip itinerary
A New England road trip packs six states, a coastline of lobster shacks and the world's most famous autumn colour into one manageable loop. This itinerary starts and finishes in Boston, heading up the Maine coast, over the White Mountains of New Hampshire, through the Green Mountains of Vermont and back via the Berkshires, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Time it for late September or October and the whole route turns red and gold.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Distance
- 700 miles
- Start and finish
- Boston circular route
- Best time
- Autumn is the classic season, with peak foliage arriving from late September in the northern mountains to mid-October further south. Summer is warm and best for the coast, while spring is quiet and green.
See the ready-made plan
The full New England Road Trip itinerary is already plotted in the planner, day by day. Open it to see the route on the map, then drag stops, add your own and keep notes as you go.
Why drive the New England Road Trip?
A 7-day New England road trip itinerary looping from Boston through coastal Maine, the White Mountains, Vermont, the Berkshires and Newport.
- Lobster shacks and lighthouses on the Maine coast
- The Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch in New Hampshire
- Vermont's covered bridges and the village of Woodstock
- Newport's Gilded Age mansions on the Rhode Island shore
7 days New England Road Trip itinerary
Day 1
Boston, Massachusetts
Begin in Boston, walking the Freedom Trail and the waterfront before collecting the car. With a spare day, the colonial towns of Lexington and Concord and the old port of Salem sit just outside the city.
Day 2
Boston to Portland, Maine
Head up the coast into Maine, around 115 miles, stopping at the clapboard harbour and beaches of Kennebunkport before reaching Portland for lobster rolls, the Old Port district and the lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth.
Day 3
Portland to the White Mountains, New Hampshire
Turn inland to New Hampshire's White Mountains, roughly 70 miles. Drive the Kancamagus Highway, ride into Franconia Notch and base yourself around North Conway or Lincoln.
Day 4
White Mountains to Stowe, Vermont
Cross into Vermont's Green Mountains, about 90 miles, following quiet roads to Stowe beneath Mount Mansfield, with covered bridges, Smugglers' Notch and small-batch creameries along the way.
Day 5
Stowe to Woodstock and southern Vermont
Drive south through classic Vermont, around 90 miles, to Woodstock and Quechee Gorge, then on toward Manchester past white-steepled village greens and country stores.
Day 6
Vermont to the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills
Slip back into Massachusetts for the cultural Berkshires around Stockbridge and Lenox, roughly 100 miles, then cross into Connecticut's rolling Litchfield Hills for the night.
Day 7
Connecticut and Rhode Island to Boston
Finish along the coast, about 190 miles: the seafaring town of Mystic in Connecticut, the Gilded Age mansions and cliff walk of Newport in Rhode Island, then back to Boston.
Planning tips
Time it for the foliage
Peak colour moves north to south through autumn, roughly late September in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and mid-October further south. Follow local foliage reports and keep a day or two of flex.
Book leaf-season beds early
Autumn is New England's peak season, and Vermont, the White Mountains and the Maine coast fill up months ahead. Reserve accommodation well before you travel.
Choose the scenic roads
The interstates are quick, but the route's character is on smaller roads like the Kancamagus Highway and Vermont's Route 100. Mix them for distance and scenery.
Add Acadia if you have more time
With two or three extra days you can continue up the Maine coast to Camden and Acadia National Park before looping back, turning the week into a fuller ten-day trip.
New England Road Trip FAQ
How many days do you need for a New England road trip?
Seven days is enough for a comfortable loop from Boston through all six states. Ten to fourteen days lets you slow down and add the northern Maine coast and Acadia National Park.
What is the best route for a New England road trip?
A popular loop starts and finishes in Boston, heading up the Maine coast, across New Hampshire's White Mountains, through Vermont, then back via the Berkshires, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
When is the best time for a New England road trip?
Autumn is the classic time, with peak fall foliage arriving from late September in the north to mid-October further south. Summer is warm and good for the coast, while spring is quiet and green.
How long is a New England road trip?
This Boston loop is roughly 700 miles. Adding the northern Maine coast and Acadia pushes it past 900 miles, so plan extra days if you want to include them.
Is New England easy to drive for first-time visitors?
Yes. Roads are well signed and distances between stops are short by American standards. Remember to drive on the right, and book a car with automatic transmission if you are not used to one.
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