Are You Ready For A New England Adventure?
Renowned for its stunning scenery, seasonal foliage, and charming towns and villages, New England is the perfect place to explore. Pivotal in the history of the United States, it’s the place where modern America began.
The six New England states of Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have lots to discover. This relatively compact corner of the Northeastern United States is perfect for road trips.
Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to find the perfect car for New England road trips. With accessible collections across the region, including downtown Boston, Worcester, and Providence, your New England road trip is just a few clicks awy.
Here are ten of the best New England road trips that you won’t want to miss!
The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
The Kancamagus Highway, often referred to as “The Kanc,” is a scenic byway nestled in the heart of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Beginning in the town of Lincoln, it winds it through through the White Mountain National Forest to Conway. As it passes through the Kancamagus Pass, it rises to 2,800 feet, giving you panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, dense woodlands, and gently snaking rivers. During autumn, the Kancamagus Highway comes alive, as the tree foliage transforms into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows.
There are numerous places to pull off, admire the view, and soak up the natural beauty that defines this iconic New England road. Along the route there are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, with hiking trails weaving their way through the landscape, taking in climbs, woods and waterfalls. This is New England at its most picturesque and sublime.
- Total Driving Distance: 34 Miles (55km)
- Driving Time: 1 Hour
Coastal Route 1, Maine
Coastal Route 1 is a much-loved highway that hugs the coastline of the maritime state of Maine. Passing through charming seaside towns, rugged cliffs, sand beaches and the state’s iconic lighthouses, this is a salt-tinged road trip to be taken at a leisurely pace. Beginning in Kittery near the southern border of Maine and extending to the northernmost reaches of the state, Route 1 is a classic among New England road trips.
Near the town of Bar Harbor, you’ll enter Acadia National Park. Boasting a unique blend of rocky coastlines, dense forests, and granite peaks, it’s a place to stop and explore. You can climb the Cadillac Mountain, detour along the Park Loop Road, or the historic carriage roads. Showcasing the natural beauty and maritime history of the state, Coastal Route 1 is a New England gem.
- Total Driving Distance: 300 Miles (482km)
- Driving Time: 7 Hours
Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts
The Mohawk Trail, which travels through the picturesque Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts, is steeped in history as well as natural beauty. The trail follows a path that was originally used as a trail route by the Mohawk Native American people, it meanders through charming New England settlements, such as Shelburne Falls and Charlemont.
The route passes through the Mohawk Trail State Forest, where there are opportunities to camp, hike or enjoy the region’s vibrant fall foliage. The Hairpin Turn, a famous scenic overlook, gives you breathtaking views of the Deerfield River Valley. In the town of North Adams, you’ll find the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), where the contemporary meets the historic. This fascinating trail through a much-loved corner of the region always features highly among favourite New England road trips.
- Total Driving Distance: 69 Miles (111km)
- Driving Time: 1.5 Hours
Green Mountain Byway, Vermont
Vermont Route 100, also known as the Green Mountain Byway, stretches from the Massachusetts state line in the south to the Canadian border in the north. Taking in rolling hills, dense forests, small settlements and farmsteads, this gentle drive lets you experience the natural beauty for which the state is famed. Passing through quintessential New England towns such as Wilmington, Ludlow, and Stowe, there are historical sites to discover, quirky museums, and places to sample local produce.
Situated at the base of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, Stowe is a popular ski resort town. As well as skiing, there are countless hiking trails and vibrant fall foliage tours. You can also visit the Trapp Family Lodges, established by the von Trapp family of “The Sound of Music” fame. Waterbury is home to the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory, where tours are available as well as samples.
Vermont prides itself on its difference, and this tour through the heart of the state allows you to experience its independent charm for yourself.
- Total Driving Distance: 220 Miles (354km)
- Driving Time: 5 Hours
Cape Cod Loop, Massachusetts
Cape Cod has always been a fashionable destination for New Englanders and it’s not difficult to see why on this leisurely loop of the peninsula. Beginning at the iconic Sagamore Bridge, the loop showcases the Cape’s stunning coastal landscapes, maritime settlements, and pristine beaches. The town of Sandwich is an early stop, known for the Sandwich Boardwalk that provides a scenic pathway across the salt marshes. Further along, you come to the bustling town of Hyannis, home to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, celebrating the former president’s connection to Cape Cod.
The route passes through Chatham, known for its lighthouses, and the artistic haven of Wellfleet, with its serene harbour. The Cape Cod National Seashore spans 40 miles of shoreline and offers opportunities for beachcombing, hiking, and enjoying the unspoiled beauty of the Atlantic coast. The loop concludes in Provincetown, a vibrant and artistic community at the tip of the Cape. This charming town is famous for its colourful architecture and being the place where the Pilgrims first set foot on American soil in 1620.
- Total Driving Distance: 65 Miles (104km)
- Driving Time: 2 Hours
Connecticut River Byway, Connecticut/Vermont/New Hampshire
For travellers looking for an extended exploration of the region, the Connecticut River Byway is a great option among New England road trips. Weaving its way through three states, this scenic and historic route follows the course of the majestic Connecticut River. Starting in the town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, it meanders northwards through the picturesque landscapes of Vermont and New Hampshire, concluding in the town of Pittsburg, near the Canadian border.
In Vermont, the byway passes through the picturesque town of Brattleboro, known for its vibrant arts scene and independent shop. Further north, you come across the historic village of Woodsville in New Hampshire, where the Ammonoosuc River flows into the Connecticut River. There are countless opportunities for outdoor activities along the route, from hiking trails to kayaking, rock climbing and getting up close to nature. From the colonial-era architecture in towns like Windsor, Connecticut, to the natural beauty of the Upper Valley region, this byway gives you a snapshot of all that New England has to offer.
- Total Driving Distance: 410 Miles (660km)
- Driving Time: 9 Hours
White Mountains Trail, New Hampshire
The White Mountains Trail in New Hampshire offers a spectacular journey through one of the most scenic and rugged landscapes in the northeastern United States. Covering an expansive area of the White Mountain National Forest, the trail gives you countless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities in one of the most beautiful corners of New England. One of the highlights is the historic Mount Washington Auto Road, which allows visitors to drive to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. From the summit, you can look out on the otherworldly beauty of the Presidential Range and the surrounding wilderness.
Along the route, you’ll encounter the Franconia Notch State Park, known for its stunning mountain passes, the Flume Gorge, and the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site. Franconia Notch is also home to Cannon Mountain, where the aerial tramway offers breathtaking views across the mountainous landscape. Road trippers can also visit the historic Conway Scenic Railway, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway. During the autumn, the fall foliage burns brightly in reds and oranges as the landscape comes alive.
- Total Driving Distance: 120 Miles (193km)
- Driving Time: 4 Hours
Acadia All-American Road, Maine
The Acadia All-American Road remains a favourite among New England road trips, taking travellers through the scenic beauty of Mount Desert Island and the surrounding coastal landscape. As well as providing breathtaking ocean views and the chance to sample great seafood in sleepy fishing villages, it also gives access to the stunning Acadia National Park. Starting in the town of Trenton, the route winds through picturesque coastal communities like Bar Harbor, known for its historic architecture, and proximity to the national park.
Within the national park, you can hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, before joining the scenic drive along the Park Loop Road, passing by landmarks like Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond. With its rocky shores, set against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains, and serene lakes, the route is a diverse adventure through Maine’s natural beauty. Eventually, the road takes to the iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse perched on rugged cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. In Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor, there’s a chance to relax, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, shop, and sample the legendary seafood.
- Total Driving Distance: 40 Miles
- Driving Time: 1.5 Hours
Mystic Seaport Loop, Connecticut/Rhode Island
The Mystic Seaport Loop takes roadtrippers through the coastal communities of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Starting in the historic town of Mystic, visitors can explore the Mystic Seaport Museum, the nation’s leading maritime museum, where preserved ships, a recreated 19th-century seafaring village, and engaging exhibits bring to life the seafaring traditions of the region.
Leaving Mystic, the route takes you through scenic coastal roads with views of the Mystic River and Long Island Sound. The loop includes picturesque towns like Stonington, known for its colonial architecture and waterfront shops. Nearby you’ll find the Denison Homestead Museum and the Olde Mistick Village. To extend the route, you can head southeast to the Rhode Island border and explore coastal destinations such as Watch Hill, Westerly, and Narragansett, for beautiful beaches and scenic landscapes.
- Total Driving Distance: 150 Miles (241km)
- Driving Time: 4 Hours
Historic New England, Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Maine
For many visitors, one of the key attractions of New England is its history as the place where the USA began. This tour of historic New England begins in Boston and takes in the rich tapestry of history, culture and scenic beauty across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Leaving Boston, head for the town of Salem, the site of infamous 17th-century witch trials. The Salem Witch Museum and Salem Maritime National Historic Site provide an insight into the region’s colonial past. The road trip continues to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, before heading to the coastal city of Portland with its cobblestone streets, artsy vibe, and outstanding foodie scene.
The journey then winds south to Kennebunkport, a quintessential New England coastal town, with sandy beaches, a wide choice of places to stay, and the coastal beauty of Walker’s Point. Finally, the route crosses into Cape Cod, where historic towns like Sandwich and Plymouth, combine heritage, maritime charm and unspoiled beaches. You can then take a variety of routes back to Boston, depending on your available time and interests
Total Driving Distance: 400 to 500 Miles (644km)
Driving Time: 8 to 10 Hours
Are You Ready To Explore New England?
New England is one of the most beautiful and best-loved regions of the United States, rich in wildlife, stunning landscapes, charming towns, and rich history. It’s the perfect place to explore whatever your interests are.
Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to find the right car for New England road trips whatever your budget.
