“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”
-Emily Brontë
Are you ready to go on a New England fall road trip to see some amazing fall foliage? I have the perfect leaf-peeping itinerary for you!
I may be biased because I grew up in the Northeast, but I believe there’s nothing like autumn on the East Coast. The crisp air, the apple and pumpkin desserts, the leaves changing to red, orange, and yellow…it makes you feel like you’re in a movie.
Some of the best places to see fall foliage in New England are Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. For the sake of time, this five-day New England fall road trip will take you through the latter two, by way of Massachusetts. Vermont offers idyllic small towns, while New Hampshire offers fun hiking options for all levels.
So pack your flannel, blast Noah Kahan in the car, and get ready for your New England fall road trip.
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Things to Know Before You Go:
- Fall leaves in the Northeast can be unpredictable. When leaves change color depends on weather, elevation, and temperature. Planning a New England road trip in October is a safe bet, but peak foliage is never guaranteed.
- Be prepared for crowds. The Northeast can get crowded during this time of year. After all, who doesn’t love fall leaves? If you want certain locations to yourself, try to visit very early or later in the day, or perhaps try a less popular spot.
- Leave no trace. Unfortunately with the crowds comes an influx of trash left behind. Make sure to pick up after yourself, and take any trash you bring into a park back out with you.
5-Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Massachusetts to New Hampshire
This New England road trip itinerary begins and ends in the historic city of Boston, MA.
Boston, MA
Boston makes a great starting point, since it is easily accessible by plane, train, or bus. You can also easily pick up a rental car in Boston if you are not driving your own.
If you have time to spend in Boston, head to the Boston Public Garden and Boston Common for a stroll.
Do you have a full day in Boston before hitting the road? Check out my post: How to Spend One Day in Boston.
White Mountains, NH
From Boston, drive a little over two hours north into New Hampshire. You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful White Mountains.
Drive the Kancamagus Highway for some awesome scenic views. You can pull over at lookouts along the way, like the Sugar Hill Scenic Vista.
If you’re looking to stretch your legs a bit more, there are many hikes with trailheads right off of the highway. Sabbady Falls is an easy 0.7-mile out-and-back trail featuring a small waterfall. For a slightly longer hike, try the Boulder Loop Trail, which is a little over 3 miles round trip, offering lovely views. To reach the trailhead, you’ll pass under the Albany Covered Bridge, and it doesn’t get more New England than that!
Lincoln, NH
Lincoln is a great place to stay while exploring New Hampshire. You can easily reach both the White Mountains and Franconia State Park.
Places to Stay in Lincoln, NH
- Budget Option: Days Inn by Wyndham Lincoln
- Modest Option: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Lincoln East – White Mountains, an IHG Hotel
- Splurge Option: RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain
Day 2: New Hampshire
For a delicious start to your day in New Hampshire, stop at White Mountain Bagel.
Franconia Notch State Park, NH
When I went on this New England fall foliage road trip last year, Franconia Notch State Park had some of the brightest colors. Even in the rain, it was one of my favorite spots.
The most popular hike in Franconia is the Artist’s Bluff Trail. It’s a quick 1.5-mile loop hike with views of Echo Lake. However, because it was so crowded, I opted to hike along the Pemi Trail instead.
The Pemi Trail follows along the Upper Pemigewasset River for several miles. It can be accessed from several points including the Governor Gallen Memorial, Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site, and Lafayette Place Campground.
One thing I didn’t get to do because of the weather was ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, but I’ve heard the views from the top of Cannon Mountain are awesome.
My favorite hike in Franconia was the Flume Gorge Trail, which features water cascading through a gorge and under a picturesque covered bridge.
Day 3: New Hampshire to Vermont
From Lincoln, NH the drive to Northern Vermont takes about two hours. However, I recommend making the drive just a bit longer and going through Smuggler’s Notch. It’s one of the best places to see fall foliage in Vermont.
Stowe, VT
Stowe is one of the most quintessential “Vermont” towns in the state. It’s a popular spot for hiking in the fall and skiing in winter, since it sits at the foot of Vermont’s tallest peak, Mount Mansfield.
You can take a walk along the Stowe Recreation Path, which meanders through the village for five miles. There are various access points along the way if you don’t want to do the whole thing. I recommend parking at Lintilhac Park, Chase Park, or Thompson Park.
As you make your way from Stowe to Waterbury, stop at the Gold Brook Covered Bridge. Legend says the bridge is haunted by the ghost of a woman named Emily, who perished when she fell from the bridge. I can’t say I felt any ghostly presence when I walked across, but you never know!
Waterbury, VT
After driving all morning, you’ll want to fill your belly. The best area for this is Waterbury, VT. Here you will find Cold Hollow Cider Mill, known for their cider donuts and expansive market. You can stock up on all things apple and maple-flavored. It’s a popular spot on many New England fall road trips.
There’s also a cafe and hard cider tasting room at Cold Hollow (which was less crowded than the market building when I visited).
Just down the road, you’ll also find the Cabot Creamery Store, where you can load up on Vermont’s famous cheeses.
Burlington, VT
To end your first day in Vermont, I recommend checking out Burlington. I have a soft spot for this quirky city, because I spent much time visiting there as a kid. It sits right on Lake Champlain and offers beautiful views of my home mountains, the Adirondacks.
Burlington has an excellent food scene and plenty of breweries. Some of my favorites are:
- Hen of the Woods: uses locally-sourced ingredients
- Leunig’s Bistro: France meets Vermont
- Burlington Beer Company: large variety of flight options
Places to Stay in Burlington, VT:
- Budget Option: Starlight Inn
- Modest Option: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Burlington Vermont
- Splurge Option: Hotel Vermont Burlington
Day 4: Vermont
Before leaving Burlington, enjoy a breakfast burrito or crepe at The Skinny Pancake.
Shelburne, VT
Another one of my favorite stops on my New England fall road trip was Shelburne, VT. Located just south of Burlington, it’s a beautiful area to enjoy the fall season.
Stop by Shelburne Orchards to pick your own apples with views of the lake behind rows of apple trees. When I visited last year, they had a taco truck on the premises, if you need an energy boost. Or if you need to take a break from all your hard work, Fiddlehead Brewing Company is nearby.
For a truly idyllic day in Vermont, visit Shelburne Farms, a working farm open to the public until mid-October. They have walking trails and cheese-making demonstrations.
Charlotte, VT
Continue driving south and you’ll next arrive in Charlotte, VT (pronounced SharLOTTE).
Charlotte is home to Mount Philo State Park, where you can either hike or drive the two miles to summit the mountain of the same name. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding area.
There are several covered bridges in the area including Holmes Creek, Quinlan’s, and Seguin.
Bennington, VT
To finish out your day in Vermont, continue driving south for about two more hours and stay the night in Bennington, VT.
However, if you are a poetry fan, stop at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum along the way. The house was home to the famous poet during the 1920s. Even if the museum is closed by the time you get there, you can walk the grounds and imagine how the area’s natural beauty inspired Frost’s works.
Bennington itself is a quaint college town with ties to the Revolutionary War. An obelisk marks the Battle of Bennington, where you can take an elevator to an observation deck overlooking Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts.
Places to Stay in Bennington, VT
- Budget Option: Best Western Bennington
- Modest Option: South Shire
- Splurge Option: Four Chimneys Inn
Day 5: Vermont to Massachusetts
Alas, the final day of your New England fall road trip has come. It’s time to head back to Massachusetts.
Mount Greylock, MA
Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. If that sounds daunting to hike, the good news is you can drive up the mountain!
During my New England foliage trip last year, I enjoyed the drive up Greylock more than the top. The winding road was full of color. That said, the view from Mount Greylock is impressive; it inspired words by Nathanial Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau.
You can ascend the Veterans War Memorial Tower at the summit for an even higher vantage point.
North Adams, MA
After driving up Mount Greylock, grab lunch in North Adams at PUBLIC eat+drink or Freight Mill Pub.
North Adams used to be a mill town, but it’s finding uses for its old industrial buildings. Most notably, you’ll find MassMOCA, the largest contemporary art museum in the US.
If contemporary art isn’t really your thing, there is more excellent hiking to be had in North Adams. For an easy 2.2 miles, try the Cascades Trail, which takes you from a little neighborhood in town to a quiet stream and little waterfall.
Mohawk Trail, MA
As you make your way back east to Boston, take the long way and drive Route 2. The section of Route 2 between North Adams and Greenfield, MA is called the Mohawk Trail, because it passes through the Mohawk Trail State Forest. It’s a beautiful, windy drive- perfect for a New England fall road trip. (Look alive for a giant hairpin turn!)
The drive from North Adams back to Boston will take about three hours (if you’re not stopping to take foliage photos, of course).
I hope you’ve found this New England fall trip itinerary helpful. Autumn in the Northeast is truly a special time of year. I’m happy for you if/when you can experience it!
If you’ve done a fall foliage road trip before, where have been some of your favorite places?
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