Colorful New England Fall Road Trips (3, 5 & 7 Day Itineraries) + Free Map

Having grown up in the Northeast I can tell you first hand how beautiful it is to experience fall in New England! New England fall road trips are something everyone should experience at least once in their life – the leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, and there’s so many yummy maple and apple flavored goodies to taste.

While New England is beautiful all year round, fall is a particularly magical time to visit for leaf peeping.

This post will cover 3, 5, and 7 day New England fall road trips itineraries, scenic routes, must-see destinations, the best fall hikes in New England and insider tips. I’ve also included maps for easy navigating and itinerary planning.

Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

If you want to know how to plan a New England road trip I wrote this article for you! My goal is to outline absolutely everything you need to know to plan the best New England fall foliage road trips! For that reason, this road trip guide is bursting with information – I want this to be the most comprehensive guide for your trip so you don’t miss a thing!

Keep scrolling to read everything you need to know to plan where and when to go.

Or, if you want to skip to the detailed itineraries click on these links to scroll down to the exact spot you need!:

Skip to: 7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
Skip to: 5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
Skip to: 3 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

What Is The Best Time To Visit New England For Fall Color?

Without a doubt, the best time to visit New England for a road trip is in the fall – late September to mid-October is best. The leaves are changing color, exploding with bright reds, oranges and yellows. It’s truly spectacular.

Most years mid-October is the best time to hit peak foliage.

However, specific dates for peak foliage will vary by region and year. This is based on a variety of reasons, including weather.

Seasons with warm, sunny, dry days and cool nights produce the best fall colors in New England (and also the best maple syrup in the spring!). Too much rain, heavy winds or an early frost will cause the leaves to die and fall prematurely.

For the best leaf peeping New England fall foliage road trips it’s best to visit during a dry year when temperatures don’t drop below freezing before mid-October. Of course, this weather isn’t something you can control, so having some flexibility in your plan is helpful.

Typically, regions farther North will hit peak foliage before regions in farther south. Depending on the timing of your fall road trip in New England you may want to consider routing North (Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire) or South (Massachusetts, New Hampshire) to see the best fall colors.

You can check out current predictions for peak dates with the Peak Fall Foliage Map.

In general, for the best fall foliage I recommend you plan your fall road trips in New England during the first two weeks of October to see peak foliage and the best display of colorful leaves.

Best Places To See On New England Fall Road Trips

What is the best time to see fall colors in New England? The best places to see brilliant fall foliage on your New England fall road trip are Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Followed by Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

If you come earlier than mid-October, plan to spend more time farther north (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine) for the best leaf peeping. I’ve seen the leaves burst into color here as early as the middle of September.

The leaves hit peak foliage in the north first, so plan to head north first if you’re arriving late-September or early October.

If you come after mid-October for your New England fall road trip then plan to stay farther south (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island) for the most colorful views.

The farther south you are the later the leaves will hit peak foliage, so late October trips are best suited for the more southern states.

Keep in mind, you might miss “peak foliage” but that doesn’t mean your road trip won’t be insanely beautiful regardless! Even coming a few weeks before or after peak foliage will still greet you with pops of color and stunning views.

Where To Stay On A New england Fall Road Trip

There are two ways to plan your New England fall road trip: plan a scrupulously detailed itinerary or wing it and have flexibility to follow the best peak foliage.

If you are a planner and like having a fully built-out itinerary I recommend booking your hotel stays far in advance. New England is insanely popular during the fall and hotels and vacation rentals fill up quickly. Booking last minute is likely to be more expensive and you’ll have a harder time finding conveniently located options.

I recommend using hotels.com to view available hotels in one location and price compare before deciding where to book.

If you prefer flexibility on your road trip (like me), I recommend renting a campervan. Not only will this save money because you’re not paying for hotels, but it also allows you to adjust your plans based on where the leaves are best.

I spent the last few years traveling full-time in my campervan and I really love this method of travel. It’s cozy, convenient, and campervans are surprisingly easy to drive! My Ford Transit is almost like driving a regular vehicle, only it’s slightly longer which is really only a consideration when I’m looking for parking.

New England Fall Road Trip Weather

The temperatures can be quite variable in New England during the fall so be sure to pack plenty of layers, rain gear and some cozy sweaters and socks for your road trip.

Daily temperatures range from highs in the mid 60’s to lows in the mid 40’s.

I’ve included a complete New England fall road trips packing guide at the end of this post!

Best Airport For New England Fall Road Trips

For the best airport for your New England fall road trip, fly into Boston Logan airport, which is the most cost effective airport.

Alternatively, you can also fly into Providence, Burlington, Hartford or Portland. Albany, New York, is also a feasible option.

While these airports won’t impact your New England road trip drive time by much, they don’t tend to have the best flight prices or flight schedules available. However, they’re worth a look to see if you can find a great deal. (Click here to find great flight deals)

For the purposes of these New England fall road trip itineraries I’ll assume you’re flying into Boston Logan airport. However, if you’re arriving a different way you can easily adjust the starting location for each itinerary below!

From the airport, you’ll want to rent a vehicle (or a campervan!) for your road trip. A vehicle for this trip is crucial because it gives you more flexibility to adjust your schedule based on the best foliage locations. Plus, public transportation leaves a lot to be desired in New England, so the best way to travel is with a rental vehicle.

I recommend using Expedia to compare rental prices before deciding which vehicle to reserve.

Best New England Fall Road Trips (3, 5, And 7 Day Itineraries)

Whether you have 3, 5, or 7 days for your New England fall road trip I’ve got you covered! It is very possible to see great fall foliage in a weekend, or if you have more time to spend in New England there are some great small towns to explore that are definitely worth a longer visit.

If you only have a weekend, I recommend focusing on Vermont and New Hampshire.

If you can spare 5 or 7 days for your New England fall road trip then consider adding Maine and Massachusetts to your itinerary for some epic leaf peeping.

Use this New England Fall road trip map to plan your itinerary! I’ve labeled items by day (noted by color) as well as by activity type (noted by icon).

Tip: Open this map in your browser, then click the star icon on the left-side bar. This saves the map to your google maps app on your phone so you can easily reference it during your trip. Locate this map in Google Maps by selecting ‘you’ at the bottom of the app and then scroll down and click ‘maps’ to find your saved trip maps

Use these links to skip down to your preferred itinerary:
7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
3 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

If you have a full 1 week New England fall road trip planned this is the perfect 7 day itinerary. It starts in Boston and heads up to Stowe and Burlington, Vermont. You’ll pass through Woodstock on your way. Then, explore the White Mountains in New Hampshire on your way to Acadia National Park in Maine.

There are multiple scenic highways along this route and the fall colors will blow your mind! Yes! They really DO look like that in real life.

7 Day Road Trip Overview

What is the best route for fall foliage in New England? This 7 day itinerary covers Vermont (Woodstock, Stowe, Burlington), New Hampshire (Franconia Notch, White Mountains, Kancamagus Highway) and Vermont (Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park) before completing the loop in Boston.

Day 1: Arrive in Boston, explore Woodstock and Stowe Vermont. Stay in Stowe for the night.
Day 2: Explore Burlington and Lake Champlain. Stay a second night in Stowe or Burlington.
Day 3: Head to Franconia Notch and spend the afternoon hiking Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge.
Day 4: Drive Kancamagus Highway and explore the White Mountains.
Day 5: Drive to Acadia National Park in Maine, spend the afternoon exploring the park.
Day 6: Spend the morning exploring Bar Harbor, then take the coastal route back to Boston.
Day 7: Enjoy a morning in Boston visiting the Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, or Harvard Square before catching an evening flight home.

7 day New England Fall Road Trip Map

Day 1: Vermont – Woodstock and Stowe

DRIVE TIME: About 3 hours from Boston to Woodstock, Vermont.

Vermont is one of my favorite places to visit. It’s wonderful during the summer, but it’s especially magical in the fall when all the leaves are changing colors. Woodstock is a very charming town with lots of local businesses to visit, so we’re starting there!

While you’re there, be sure to explore Quechee Gorge, and hike Mount Tom for stunning panoramic views.

After visiting Woodstock, drive to Stowe.

Make sure you take scenic Route 100 from Woodstock to Stowe for the best fall foliage views, which passes through quaint towns and covered bridges.

Explore Stowe’s shops, cafes, and the famous Stowe Recreation Path. Definitely make time to get an apple cider donut. These are my favorite! When I was a kid we used to go apple picking every fall and the best part was buying one of these fresh, warm donuts from the farm stand.

After, drive about 45 minutes west to Burlington to end your day.

Day 2: Vermont – Burlington and Lake Champlain

DRIVE TIME: 45 minutes from Stowe to Burlington

Start your morning in Burlington, Vermont. I’ve been to Burlington many times and this is one of my favorite towns to visit. Explore Church Street Marketplace, ECHO Lake Aquarium, and waterfront parks.

Now it’s time to start making your way to the east coast. But first, drive to New Hampshire and head towards the White Mountains for a day.

Day 3: New Hampshire – Franconia Notch State Park

DRIVE TIME: 2 hours from Burlington VT to Franconia NH

Start day 3 of your 7 day New England fall road trip with a visit to Franconia Notch where you can hike Flume Gorge ($18 pp fee), Artists Bluff or take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. 

Spend the night near Franconia.

Day 4: New Hampshire – White Mountains

DRIVE TIME: 4.5 hours from Franconia to Bar Harbor

Day 4 of your New England fall road trip is a good one! Drive the Kancamagus Highway – the ultimate scenic road for fall foliage. Stop at overlooks like Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge and Pemigewasset Overlook.

Don’t forget to stop by the Albany Covered Bridge, just off the Kancamagus Highway, it’s a great photo opportunity for your New England fall road trip.

Hikes Along Kancamagus Highway

• Sabbaday Falls Trail – A short, easy 0.7-mile round-trip trail to a beautiful waterfall with viewing platforms.
• Boulder Loop Trail – A moderate 3.1-mile loop offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
• Champney Falls Trail – A moderate 3.1-mile round trip to picturesque waterfalls, with the option to extend to Mount Chocorua.
• Greeley Ponds Trail – A moderate 7.6-mile round-trip hike leading to two scenic mountain ponds.

Next, explore North Conway, where you can visit Diana’s Baths and Echo Lake State Park or take the Conway Scenic Railroad (a fan favorite and something I highly recommend!). You can also check out the Saco Ranger Station (at the end of Kancamagus Highway) for maps and trip resources.

Then, keep heading east towards Acadia National Park. Spend the night in Bar Harbor so you can explore the park first thing in the morning.

Day 5: Maine – Acadia National Park

DRIVE TIME: none – you’re staying around town today!

Acadia National Park is a beautiful National Park on the east coast and somewhere everyone should visit at least once! Make sure to check out Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond hike, Cadillac Mountain for sunset while you’re there.

Cadillac Mountain requires reservations from late May to late October. The cost is $6 per vehicle and can be made (ideally, well in advance) at the recreation.gov website.

Spend a second night in Bar Harbor.

Day 6: Maine – Acadia and Coastal Towns

DRIVE TIME: About 5 hours from Acadia National Park to Boston, following the coastal route (Rt 1)

On day 6 spend more time in Acadia National Park. Be sure to visit Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs.

Bar Harbor is right next to Acadia National Park and is a great way to spend the afternoon exploring local shops and cozy cafe’s.

After, drive to Portland, Maine and stop in the charming coastal towns of Camden or Rockland on your way.

Day 7: Massachusetts – Boston

Day 7 is all about exploring Boston. Visit Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, or Harvard Square. I used to live in Boston and there’s so much to do in the city – I especially like that it doesn’t feel as overwhelming as NYC. Harvard Square is a great place to spend an afternoon – you can walk around Harvard’s campus, or checkout local shops and restaurants.

Alt Option: Salem, Massachusetts
Alternatively, you can explore Salem, known for its witch trial history (fall is a really fun time to be in Salem because they have so many fall and Halloween activities and festivals).

Best 5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

5-day New England fall road trips include exploring Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This itinerary is similar to the 7-day itinerary but removes Burlington, Vermont and a day in Boston to squeeze the best spots for fall foliage into 5 days! It will give you a mix of scenic drives, charming towns, and iconic fall experiences.

5 Day Road Trip Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Boston, explore Woodstock and Stowe Vermont. Stay in Stowe for the night.
Day 2: Head to Franconia Notch and spend the afternoon hiking Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge.
Day 3: Drive Kancamagus Highway and explore the White Mountains.
Day 4: Drive to Acadia National Park in Maine, spend the afternoon exploring the park.
Day 5: Spend the morning exploring Bar Harbor, then take the coastal route back to Boston.

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Map

This 5 day New England fall road trip itinerary starts off the same as the 7 day New England fall road trip map, but you’ll skip Burlington, VT and head straight from Stowe to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Day 1: Woodstock & Stowe, Vermont

Days 1 of your 5-day New England fall road trip itinerary follow the same plan as the 7-day itinerary.

The highlights include exploring Woodstock and Stowe, Vermont, and driving scenic route 100.

Spend the night in Stowe.

Day 2: Franconia Notch & the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Drive 1.5 hours from Stowe to Franconia Notch.

Highlights for day 2 include the Flume Gorge ($18 pp fee), hiking Artists Bluff or taking the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. 

Spend the night in Franconia Notch.

Day 3: Kancamagus Highway

Drive 1.5 hours from Franconia Notch to North Conway via the Kancamagus Highway – the best scenic road for fall foliage!

While the Kancamagus Highway is only 34 miles long, it’s a major highlight with tons of great overlooks and hikes along the way. Plan to spend a majority of the day exploring the “Kanc” and end your evening in North Conway.

Day 4: New Hampshire to Maine – Acadia National Park

Drive 4 hours from North Conway, New Hampshire to Acadia National Park, Maine.

This is an insanely beautiful National Park on the East Coast.

Spend day 4 of your New England fall road trip exploring Acadia National Park. Drive Park Loop Road to see peak foliage, then hike Jordan Pond, and watch the sunset at Cadillac Mountain. 

Then head to Bar Harbor (right next door), the gateway to Acadia.

Note: Reservations are required for Cadillac Mountain from late May to late October ($6 per vehicle) and can be made at the recreation.gov website. Make sure you book in advance for your New England fall road trips because spots fill up fast during this time of the year.

Day 5: Acadia National Park and Coastal Maine

Before ending your New England fall road trip, explore more of Acadia National Park. Visit Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs.

Next, drive 5-minutes to Bar Harbor and walk along Shore Path, shop in downtown, and enjoy fresh lobster rolls!

On your drive back to Boston (about 5 hours), take the scenic coastal route (Rt 1), with stops in Camden or Portland, Maine. The coastal route will add about 30-minutes to your drive compared to taking the inland highways, but it’s a much more scenic drive for seeing fall foliage on your New England fall road trip!

3 Day New England Fall Road Trips Itinerary

Only have a weekend to squeeze in an epic fall road trip? No worries! There’s plenty of things to see and do in a 3 day in New England fall road trip.

Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire are the star of the show, so focus on those!

While in Vermont you definitely want to prioritize Woodstock and Stowe.

And be sure to drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire (the highlight of any New England fall road trip in my opinion!)

3 Day Road Trip Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Boston, explore Woodstock and Stowe Vermont. Stay in Stowe for the night.
Day 2: Head to Franconia Notch and spend the afternoon hiking Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge.
Day 3: Drive Kancamagus Highway and explore the White Mountains.

3 Day New England Fall Road Trip Map

There’s a lot of ground to cover here in 3 days, but the views are worth it! And, the drive time isn’t so bad because there’s several scenic routes along this map which make the drive so much more enjoyable.

Day 1: Vermont – Woodstock and Stowe

Drive 3 hours from Boston to Woodstock, Vermont.

Woodstock, Vermont is a quaint town. During your visit stop by Quechee Gorge, hike Mount Tom, and enjoy local cafes.

Next, head to Stowe, Vermont. Drive scenic route 100 (rt 89 is a faster highway but far less scenic), hike Smugglers’ Notch, and explore the village.

Day 2: New Hampshire – Franconia Notch State Park

Drive 1.5 hours from Stowe, Vermont to Franconia, New Hampshire.

Head to Franconia Notch and visit Flume Gorge ($18 pp fee), hike Artists Bluff or take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. 

Spend the night in Franconia where you can dine and explore small-town charm.

Day 3: White Mountains and Back Home

Drive 1.5 hours from Franconia, NH to North Conway, NH (following Kancamagus Highway – Rt 112).

This is a scenic route through the White Mountain National Forest that connects Lincoln and Conway, with incredible views of the fall foliage. 

After, drive back to Boston with a scenic stop for a picnic lunch at Lake Winnipesaukee or stop into Eldridge Family Sugar House (near Tamworth, NH) for a Maple Creemee.

Best Things To Do On New England Fall Road Trips

This is a list of my favorite things to do on New England fall road trips!

Apple picking is a must (I really miss being able to do this now that I live in the south), and all the small town fall festivals are a fun way to spend an afternoon. And, since you’re in maple syrup country definitely make time to stock up – this is the most delicious maple syrup you’ll find!

1. Maple flavored food
2. Gondola Ride
3. Apple Picking
4. Pumpkin Picking
5. Ride the Cog Rail in Mt Washington
6. Cranberry bog harvests
7. Eat Cider Donuts
8. Hot air balloon ride
9. Zipline
10. Fall & Pumpkin Festivals
    1. Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival in Stowe, Vermont
    2. New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, New Hampshire

Tips For Driving The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway, also nicknamed “The Kanc” is pronounced “Kank-ah-mah-gus”. It’s a 34.5 mile long highway through the White Mountains that’s undeveloped and incredibly beautiful.

The highway is named after Indian Chief Kancamagus (translation: “The Fearless One”). Kancamagus was the 3rd and final Penacook Confederacy chief. He’s known for trying to maintain peace between the Native’s and the English settlers.

There are a few tips to be aware of prior to driving the Kancamagus highway!

No cell service. Be prepared for limited or absolutely no cell service along this route. I recommend downloading an offline map in Google Maps so you’ll be able to navigate to the scenic overlooks and hikes along the highway without cell service.

No gas stations. Be sure you have enough gas to complete the 34.5 mile route prior to starting because there are no gas stations along the road. Luckily, it’s a fairly short distance between gas stations, but as someone who has gambled with the low fuel light far too many times, I recommend refueling before you hit the road!

Limited bathrooms. There are bathrooms along the road, but they’re limited. You can find restrooms at most of the trailheads – but expect a basic porta-potty. I recommend bringing your own supplies (TP and hand sanitizer) just incase.

Paid parking lots. Parking in designated areas along the Kanc requires a paid parking pass. It’s $3 per day, $5 per week or $20 annually. This is also required for all trailheads along the Kancamagus highway. You can pay for your pass at the ranger station, or at the self-pay stations in each parking lot.

Guided audio-tour. I recommend downloading this audio-tour for your trip. It details the history of the Pennacook tribe and their legends, and points out important viewpoints and hiking trails. The tour plays automatically based on your location (which uses GPS and not cell service, so you won’t have to worry about signal!)

Camping along Kancamagus Highway. There is no camping allowed within 1/4 mile of the road, but there are 6 established campgrounds you can stay at if you’d like to extend your trip along Kancamagus to more than one day.

• 1) Covered Bridge Campground
• 2) Blackberry Crossing campground
• 3) Jigger Johnson Campground
• 4) Passaconaway Campground
• 5) Big Rock Campground
• 6) Hancock Campground 

What To Pack For A New England Fall Road Trip

Weather during the fall in New England can be pretty unpredictable. You’ll want to make sure you have these items in your suitcase for your upcoming trip!

Tips For Planning An Incredible New England Fall Road Trip

Book accommodations early. Fall in New England is the most popular season. On top of that, there are limited accommodations to begin with, so with the increase in travelers it’s harder to find last minute bookings, and rates increase the closer to fall you get.

Many hotels have a multi-night minimum. This isn’t ideal for a road trip where you want to move from one location to the next fairly quickly. Get crafty to find 1-night stays! I recommend looking at online calendars for the hotel you would like to stay at to find one-night gaps in their bookings. Then, call the hotel directly and ask them to release the individual nights to you for booking. This is a win-win because one-night gaps in their calendars aren’t compliant with their multi-night booking requirements and they’d lose money on that unused night if you don’t scoop it up.

Download Google Offline maps to your phone. There’s limited cell signal in the mountains of New England so don’t plan to have access to it. Instead, download the area map to your phone so you can reference it even when you’re outside of cell service. Check out the New England Fall Road Trip map above for all my pinned locations!

Have a plan for tolls. Welcome to the Northeast – there’s a stupid number of toll roads compared to the rest of the country. Typically tolls work by snapping a picture of your license plate and sending a bill to the address attached to the vehicle registration. If you’re renting a car then ask your rental agency how tolls work – typically they’ll just bill your credit card on file after the fact, and sometimes there’s an additional fee (~$25 for the “convenience”). If you’re driving your own vehicle and have an EZ-Pass account it’ll automatically debit your form of payment. Otherwise, you’ll get a bill in the mail so keep an eye out!