COLORFUL New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary + Map (3, 5 & 7 Days)

Having grown up in the Northeast I can tell you first hand how beautiful it is to experience fall in New England! A New England fall road trip is 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, fall is a particularly magical time to visit for leaf peeping, crisp hiking weather, and delicious apple cider or maple flavored treats!

In this article:

• 3, 5, and 7 day New England road trips itineraries
• Best things to do: scenic drives, best fall hikes and charming towns
• New England fall road trip map (downloadable)

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NOTE: New England is insanely popular during the fall. I recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible to avoid expensive prices and sold out hotels. I’ve included more recommendations for finding hotels in my tips section at the end of this post!

Planning Your New England Road Trip Itinerary

The easiest way to start your New England fall road trip is to fly into Boston (Logan) International Airport. It’s the most convenient, and tends to have the best flight deals and more flight schedules to choose from.

Depending on your itinerary, it may also be worth comparing prices for these other nearby airports: Providence, Burlington, Hartford, Portland or Albany.

Remember to check rental car prices, too! Sometimes one location is much more expensive to pick-up from than another, so pick your airport based on both costs (flights & rental cars.)

TIP: I recommend booking your rental car with Discover Cars. They search across the major rental companies to find the best rate and let you cancel for free up to 48 hours before pickup, so you can grab a good rate now without stressing if your plans change.

When To Go For Peak Foliage In New England

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

Most years the first 2 weeks in October is the best time to hit peak foliage in New England.

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

The best years for a New England fall road trip are years that haven’t had excessive rainfall, and when nighttime temperatures stay above freezing before leaf season. These conditions yield the brightest color leaves.

Keep an eye on the current Peak Fall Foliage Map for updates!

Where To Go For The Best Fall Foliage Colors

The leaves hit peak foliage in the north first, usually by late-September or early October. As the season continues, peak leaf peeping moves from northern regions to southern regions.

In general, these are the best locations for leaf peeping by month:

🍁 September – Mid-October: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
🍁 Mid-October – November: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island

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.

TIP: If your New England fall road trip is right on the cusp of peak season, start your itinerary up north and head south so you can follow peak foliage! 🍁🍂🎃

New England Fall Road Trip Map

Use this New England 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).

Best New England Fall Road Trip Itineraries

Whether you have 3, 5, or 7 days for your New England fall road trip itinerary I’ve got you covered!

If you only have time for a weekend getaway in New England, 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.

7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

This road trip 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!

In total, plan for around 17 hours of driving for the week (but most of it is scenic and beautiful!)

NOTE: This article includes an overview itinerary. If you’d like a more detailed planning guide check out this 7 day New England road trip itinerary.

Day 1: Boston to Woodstock & Stowe, Vermont

Start your journey by heading north from Boston to Woodstock, one of Vermont’s most picturesque towns.

Stop by Sleepy Hollow Farm, hike Mount Tom, and explore Quechee Gorge.

Continue along scenic Route 100 to Stowe, a classic fall destination known for apple cider donuts, covered bridges, and charming shops.

🛌 Where to Stay: Stowe Village Inn or Green Mountain Inn in historical downtown Stowe

Day 2: Burlington and Lake Champlain

Spend the day in Burlington strolling Church Street Marketplace, visiting the waterfront, and sampling local food.

Stop at Lake Champlain Chocolates and the Vermont Flannel Company for great local gifts. Consider ending your day with a brewery tour or a sunset by the lake.

🛌 Where to Stay: Hotel Vermont or Blind Tiger Bed & Breakfast

Day 3: Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Drive east into New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Highlights include hiking the Flume Gorge, catching the view from Artists Bluff, and riding the Cannon Mountain Tramway.

Enjoy a hearty meal at Polly’s Pancake Parlor or Cold Mountain Cafe, and settle in for the night in nearby Lincoln or Sugar Hill.

🛌 Where to Stay: RiverWalk Resort or Sugar Hill Inn

Day 4: Kancamagus Highway & North Conway

Drive the famous Kancamagus Highway, stopping at scenic spots like Sabbaday Falls and the Albany Covered Bridge.

You can get a detailed overview to help plan your trip with my guide to driving the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire! It includes the best stops (for hikers and non-hikers), waterfalls and recommendations for where to eat (don’t skip Cheese Louise!) and where to stay.

On the other side of Kancamagus Highway, in North Conway, check out Diana’s Baths, Echo Lake State Park, and maybe take a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad.

🛌 Where to Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites or Golden Gables Inn

Day 5: Acadia National Park, Maine

Make your way to Bar Harbor and spend the afternoon exploring Acadia National Park. Drive Park Loop Road, walk around Jordan Pond, rent an e-bike and explore Acadia’s carriage roads or tackle one of Acadia’s best hikes (Beehive hike is my favorite!)

This is one of the most unique national parks in the U.S. with its coastal cliffs and vibrant forests, and Acadia National Park in the fall is particularly magical!

🛌 Where to Stay: Bar Harbor Manor, Acadia Inn, or Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

Day 6: Bar Harbor to Boston via Coastal Route

Get an early start and watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. Then, spend your morning walking the Shore Path in Bar Harbor or grabbing breakfast downtown (the blueberry cream cheese bagels from Choco-Latte are 10/10!)

After, take the scenic Route 1 south, stopping in coastal towns like Camden and Rockland. This route reminds me so much of Great Ocean Road in Australia with all the cute little coastal towns!

Portland, Maine is also a great detour if you’re a foodie and makes a convenient spot to stretch your legs on the way back to Boston.

🛌 Where to Stay: The Verb Hotel or The Godfrey Hotel Boston

Day 7: Explore Boston or Detour to Salem

End your road trip exploring Boston’s historic sites, like the Freedom Trail or Fenway Park. My favorite way to see the city is on a Duck Tour!

If you’re visiting in October, consider a festive detour to Salem for Halloween-themed activities and spooky New England history.

Adjustments For A 5 Day New England Fall Road Trip

If you only have 5 days for your New England fall road trip I would recommend the 7 day itinerary above with two adjustments: exclude the days in Burlington, Vermont and Boston.

This still gives you plenty of time to explore Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine… which are the stars of the show!

Even though it’s a slightly condensed New England fall road trip itinerary it still has a great mix of scenic drives, charming towns, and iconic fall experiences!

Adjustments For A 3 Day New England Fall Road Trip

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

Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire are the highlights, 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 best part of any New England fall road trip in my opinion!)

There’s a lot of ground to cover here in 3 days, but the views are worth it! And, the drive time (about 8 hours total on this road trip route) isn’t so bad because there’s several scenic roads along this route which make the drive so much more enjoyable.

NOTE: Another alternative is to stick to the coast and follow this 3 day Boston to Maine road trip itinerary instead. You’ll skip Vermont and New Hampshire, but get to see Acadia National Park!

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. I’ve found that in busy seasons it’s hard to keep bathrooms stocked throughout the day.

Paid parking lots. Parking in designated areas along the Kanc requires a paid parking pass. It’s $5 per day or free if you already have an America The Beautiful Annual National Park Pass. 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 on 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.

• Covered Bridge Campground
• Blackberry Crossing campground
• Jigger Johnson Campground
• Passaconaway Campground
• Big Rock Campground
• Hancock Campground 

What To Pack For A New England Fall Road Trip

Weather during the fall in New England can be pretty unpredictable. Pack plenty of layers, rain gear and some cozy sweaters and socks for your road trip.

New England fall temperatures range from highs in the mid 60’s to lows in the mid 40’s.

These are a few of my favorite travel essentials for fall road trips:

Tips For Planning An Incredible New England Road Trip Itinerary

🍁 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 at the top of this article 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!

🍁 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 and chase the best fall foliage in New England!

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.