Only have about a week to explore the beautiful New England region? Well, I’m happy you’re here! I’ve been traveling around the New England region for 15+ years, and I’ve learned a lot over the years, including what’s actually worth seeing, and what’s not. It’s taken me a while to craft the perfect week-long itinerary, but I’m so thrilled to share my ultimate 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary with you!
This itinerary takes all the guess work out of the planning for you, and truly focuses on the best places to see in the area. Because New England is a rather large region, you can’t see everything in just a week, but you can still cover a lot of ground. I also share some optional stops, side-excursions, and adjustments you can make along the way to perfectly tailor this to your preferences.
And mostly importantly, destinations I’ve chosen for this itinerary also factor in your time, so you can maximize every minute of your trip without worrying that it may not be worth it.
With that, let’s start planning your New England road trip together!
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Where To Start A 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary?
I almost always recommend you start any New England road trip in Boston, and that is also what I suggest for this trip.
Why? 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 pretty 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 or Provincetown 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, driving along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway.
Notes About This Itinerary
→ 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.
→ 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.
New England Road Trip Itinerary Breakdown: Day By Day
Day 1: Boston
As mentioned, Boston is the best place to start your 7 day New England road trip, not only for convenience, but because it’s also one of the top places to see in the region. As New England’s biggest city, it’s packed with incredible history, cozy charm, incredible food, and waterfront views.
Fantastic Hotel Options In Boston:
✓ 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.
✓ Revere Hotel Boston Common. I stay here a lot when I visit Boston. It’s a great location that’s walkable to a lot.
✓ The Godfrey: Located in the theater district, this is a beautiful hotel that’s also in a convenient location.
My Favorite Things To Do 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.
→ Stop for a coffee pick-me-up at Tatte, which has a few locations around the city (pronounced like latte 😉).
→ Grab some cannoli at Mike’s Pastry.
An Alternative Option: Depending on how tired you think you might be once you arrive, you could also head straight to the next destination (Vermont), and do Boston at the end of your trip to slowly wind down.
Day 2: Woodstock, Vermont
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.
Where to stay in Woodstock, VT:
✓ 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.
✓506 On The River Inn. Very beautiful hotel that’s right on the river and feels cozy.
✓ The Vesper. A cute little B&B with modern rooms, great prices, and walkable to the village.
Best 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!
→ Snap a photo with Middle Covered Bridge, which is right in the village.
→ Explore Billings Farm & Museum.
→ Taste local maple syrups and cheeses at Sugarbush Farms.
→ Drive to nearby Quechee to visit the Simon Pearce Flagship Store (they often have free glass-blowing demonstrations, and also have a fantastic restaurant!). Also pop into the Quechee Village Shops, and stop at the Gorge overlook.
→ 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 Eat In Woodstock:
→ The Prince & The Pauper
→ The Lincoln Inn Restaurant (one of my most memorable dining experience ever!)
→ Mon Vert Café
→ Soulfully Good Café
→ Worthy Kitchen
Insider Tips:
→ Woodstock tends to be an expensive place to visit, so if you’re on a budget, you can often find better hotel rates in Quechee.
→ 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 both Provincetown and 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.
Interested in Boston day trips to Salem or Provincetown?
→ 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, as well as the best things to do in Provincetown, MA if you need more information 😉
Day 3: The White Mountains, New Hampshire
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. But really, they’re absolutely amazing year-round. The White Mountains are home to a great mix of cute towns, epic mountain views, and amazing parks for 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 because of everything mentioned above. You’ll find a distinct mountain vibe up this way – for obvious reasons! – so that’s one thing to keep in mind.
However, the drives through the White Mountains National Forest, and Crawford Notch State Park are so beautiful, and offer such a well-rounded perspective of New England’s beauty, especially when you combine this region with all the other coastal stops on the rest of this itinerary 😉
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 one 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.
Best Things To Do In The White Mountains (With Just One Day):
→ 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.
→ If not staying in Littleton, you may want to pop over there to check it out!
→ If you’d prefer more of a relaxing day, you can opt to drive The Kancamagus Highway, which is one of the most scenic drives in the area. This route connects the towns of Lincoln and Conway, along Route 112, and takes you through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest. It’s not a super long drive, so it can be done as an out and back drive in a day, and you can also explore charming North Conway as a way to break up the drive. This is also an option on your way to Bar Harbor the next day.
*It’s good to know that there are limited facilities on the drive, and no gas stations or cell service. You’ll want to plan accordingly.
Here are some posts you may find helpful while you plan your time in the White Mountains:
Days 4-5: Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor
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. In fact, I’ve even gotten messages from readers who were skeptical that the drive up to Acadia would be worth it, saying it was a highlight of their trip!
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 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!
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.
Best Things To Do In Acadia National Park:
→ 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
Where To Eat In Bar Harbor:
→ Geddy’s
→ The Travelin’ Lobster for the best lobster roll in town
→ Side Street Café
→ The Stadium for popovers
→ Mount Desert Ice Cream or Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium for dessert
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 When Visiting Acadia National Park
Suggested Route To Bar Harbor: If you didn’t already explore The Kancamagus Highway, you can easily make this drive as part of your route to Bar Harbor. It’ll only add about 15-20 minutes of driving time, plus any extra time you spend at the overlooks. To do this, drive to Lincoln, and follow Route 112 until the end in Conway, and then GPS can take over from there 😉
Day 6: Portland, Maine
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.
Hotel Suggestions in Portland:
✓ 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.
✓ Portland Regency Hotel & Spa: Also in the Old Port district, this lovely hotel has cozy rooms, a great location, and a nice spa.
Best Things To Do In Portland:
→ See all three 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. You’ll need to drive to South Portland to get to the lighthouses, but it’s a very short drive.
→ 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.
Where To Eat In Portland:
→ Luke’s Lobster on the Pier
→ Bite Into Maine Food Truck at Portland Head Light
→ Eventide Oyster
→ Via Vecchia
→ Flatbread Company (a New England brand!)
Lighthouse Option: 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. They’ll only be a bit out of your way, and not really add too much driving time.
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 coast, 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 quaint 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. There’s a very small little downtown area with shops and restaurants, and lots of awesome boat tours depart from here, too.
Kennebunkport perfect encapsulates New England coastal beauty with a wonderful town center called Dock Square, and beautiful coastline near the beaches, as well as on Cape Porpoise. There are so many fantastic hotel options here, too.
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 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.
My Hotel Suggestions For These Areas:
✓ Cliff House on Cape Neddick (fantastic oceanfront resort!)
✓ Anchorage By The Sea in Ogunquit
✓ Kennebunkport Captains Collection (group of historic homes turned lovely inns!)
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
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, depending on how much time you have. These towns are actually some of my favorites in all of New England.
Here are some of the best 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, you can add more exciting places to 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 extra day in Boston, you can either explore more of the city, take optional day trip to Salem or Provincetown, or head out on a whale watch tour from Boston’s Harbor.
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 road trip itinerary, too.
Where To Stay In Newport
✓ Castle Hill Inn for some luxury
✓ Chart House Inn for historic charm
✓ Wyndham in Middletown is right on the edge of town, and a cheaper option
Here Are My Favorite Things To Do In Newport:
→ Explore Cliff Walk. This paved, pedestrian path along the coast offers incredible views of the water, and also passes by some of the mansions.
→ Tour the stunning Gilded Age mansions, with The Breakers being the top one to see.
→ Have lunch at Castle Hill Inn, the city’s best and most luxurious hotel. They have outdoor seating on nice days. You can also walk over to the adorable Castle Hill Lighthouse when dining here.
→ 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 😉
Day 4: Woodstock, VT
Day 5: White Mountains, New Hampshire
Days 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.
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).
Here are some wonderful things to do in Boothbay Harbor:
→ Take this awesome boat cruise to see seals, lighthouses and a lobster haul tour!
→ Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
→ Stroll through the adorable downtown area.
→ Take in the views from the footbridge.
→ Have a delicious lobster roll at Shannon’s Unshelled.
Day 9: Portland, ME
Day 10: Back to Boston, making stops along the North Shore on the way.
Alternative suggestions: 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 or Rockport.
Do I still think Woodstock, VT is worth the excursion? Sure do! But an extra day in the White Mountains or a night on the North Shore may appeal more to some of you, too. Do what fits your preferences the most 😊
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 select destinations. 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
This option sticks to the coast because it’s the most direct way to get to Bar Harbor and Acadia. If you’re not interested in going that far north, you could always swap the Maine destinations for Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire (just follow that portion of my 7 day itinerary 😉).
Day 1: Boston
Day 2: Southern Maine. Choose to stay in the night Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, or even go as far as Boothbay Harbor.
Days 3-4: Bar Harbor & Acadia.
Day 5: Drive back to Boston, with optional stops along the way on the coast.
5 Day Relaxed Itinerary From Boston
Days 1-2: Boston. Two days will allow you to settle in and enjoy a more relaxed pace.
Alternative Option: 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 Marblehead, and then take a day trip to Boston for a more relaxing getaway.
Days 3-4: Cape Cod with a day trip to Nantucket. Why this area? It’s close to Boston, so there’s not as much driving time, and this is a stunning destination along the New England coast to see.
Psst! I have lots of posts on Cape Cod and Nantucket, but my Nantucket day trip guide, and my guide on visiting Cape Cod for the first time will be the most helpful to you 😉
Day 5: Back to Boston, with a stop in Plymouth. You’ll find a charming downtown area in Plymouth, as well as the history you probably already know it for, and some nice waterfront scenery.
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: Instead of Cape Cod, head to Newport, RI for two nights, and take a day trip to Mystic, CT from there. I have a guide on visiting Mystic, for more information.
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:
→ 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. It’s all about comfort over style!
→ 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 shoes/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!
How Many Days Do You Need In New England – Is 7 Enough?
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. Hopefully my 7 Day New England road trip itinerary proved that you can pack a lot in with a short amount of time.
But, that said, more is always more when it comes to time to travel, right? 😉 So, of course, you can easily spend a month in New England and not see it all. For most folks, I do usually recommend about two weeks to see New England to cover more ground, but a week is also a fantastic amount of time to experience the natural beauty in this region.
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 with however many days you have 😊
New England Road Trip FAQ
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 recommend holding off on renting your car until you’re ready to leave Boston because parking around the city can be stressful. The exception would be, of course, if your hotel has convenient parking that you’re willing to pay for.
Boston has an awesome public transit system, and Uber and Lyft are readily available, and there’s also a ferry option from Boston Logan Airport to downtown.
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.
However, I do like to be honest with people – driving in Boston can be tough. It’s an old, historic city, and not a grid system. There are lots of one-way streets, and exits getting off the highway can be confusing. You’ll be fine, but you’ll want to really pay attention, and give yourself extra time in case you get turned around. People traveling from smaller towns in Europe will probably feel right at home 😂
But once you’re outside of the cities, it’s usually smooth-sailin’!
It’s good to know 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 three 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 beaches, lighthouses or inside 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. This is now a standard practice whenever I take a road trip, and I offline maps for every single one I take in this area.
Why Is Connecticut Not Part Of The Itinerary?
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, as well as most of the other top destinations to visit.
Since Acadia is one of the most amazing New England locations that most people want to see when they visit, I had to exclude Connecticut from the itinerary options 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.
Connecticut is also a very expensive state to visit, and it’s much harder to find hotels within the budget to moderate ranges. New England is an expensive region to visit as it is, so for your money, I think the parts of New England that I’ve recommended in this post are more worth it for you.
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 autumn color, including my tips on where to find the best fall foliage in Vermont and New Hampshire. .
What About Going Into Canada, Too?
Well, having done this multiple times myself, I can say that this is another gorgeous region to consider! But, of course, it will definitely add more time to your trip, so you’ll want to decide what your priorities are to create your dream itinerary.
Some folks decide to turn this into one epic vacation to also see Nova Scotia, and maybe Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. But you’ll need at least two weeks for that kind of trip in order to actually have time to enjoy everything. And with only two weeks, I’d focus on just Maine and Canada.
Some folks, however, decide to break these into two separate trips, with one focusing on New England, and the other focusing on Canada.
The reason some people decide to combine them is because Maine is so close to Canada. Once you get to Bar Harbor and Acadia, you’re not far from the Canadian Border, and you also have the option to have the ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia, which really saves you on even more driving time.
If you’re interested in that kind of trip, be sure to check out my guide on traveling from Bar Harbor, Maine to Nova Scotia, and my New England To Canada Road Trip Itinerary – I have lots of helpful information in those posts to share with you 😉
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, it’s sure to be a memorable trip. Happy planning! 😊
