I’ve planned countless autumn getaways, but nothing compares to chasing fall colors through New England.
This New England Fall Road Trip 9 Days Itinerary takes you from Boston’s historic streets to Acadia’s coastal peaks, hitting every brilliant red maple and golden birch along the way.
I’ll show you exactly where to go each day, where to stay during the busiest season, and how to avoid the crowds. You’ll cover five states, drive the most scenic routes, and experience both mountains and coastline at their peak.
This guide includes practical tips I’ve learned firsthand, from the best hiking trails to photo spots that actually deliver.
Let’s map out your fall road trip.
Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip
Getting the timing and logistics right makes all the difference. I learned this after my first fall trip when I showed up a week late and missed peak colors.
Northern areas peak late September to early October. Coastal regions peak mid to late October. Plan for early to mid-October to catch colors across all states.
Check foliage reports on SmokyMountains.com before you leave.
Boston makes the perfect starting point. The route loops through five states covering 1,200 miles. Download offline maps since cell service gets spotty in mountains.
Rent a compact SUV 6-8 weeks ahead. Book accommodations 3-4 months ahead since popular towns fill up fast. Look for smaller nearby towns for cheaper rates.
Pack layers since temperatures range from 40s to 60s. Bring waterproof hiking boots, water bottles, snacks, and a camera.
New England Fall Road Trip 9 Days Itinerary
This 9-day road trip takes you through five New England states to experience peak fall foliage, coastal towns, and mountain scenery.
Day 1: Boston, Massachusetts
Start your trip in Boston with historic sites, fall colors, and neighborhood walks.
Follow the Freedom Trail from Boston Common through 16 historic sites. Walk Beacon Hill’s cobblestone streets and Acorn Street for photos. Stop at Faneuil Hall for lunch and the North End for cannoli at Mike’s Pastry.
Visit the Public Garden and walk the Charles River Esplanade for fall foliage. Stay near Back Bay or Downtown. The Verb Hotel offers mid-range rates, or try chain hotels near the airport for budget options.
Day 2: Salem and Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Find Salem’s historic sites and drive the scenic Cape Ann coastline.
Leave Boston by 8:30 AM. Visit the Salem Witch Museum and walk Salem Common before crowds arrive. Drive Route 127 to Cape Ann with ocean views and fall colors.
Stop at Singing Beach and Eastern Point Lighthouse in Gloucester. Walk Bearskin Neck in Rockport and grab a lobster roll at Roy Moore Lobster Company.
Day 3: White Mountains, New Hampshire
Drive the Kancamagus Highway and hike to waterfalls and mountain viewpoints.
Drive the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway. Stop at Hancock Overlook for mountain views and Lower Falls for a swimming hole. Hike Sabbaday Falls (0.6 miles) or Mount Pemigewasset Trail (3.6 miles) for summit views.
Visit Rocky Gorge and Albany Covered Bridge. Shoot photos during golden hour and use a polarizing filter for best colors.
Day 4: Stowe, Vermont
Experience Vermont’s iconic fall landscapes, covered bridges, and mountain views.
Drive to Stowe (2 hours from New Hampshire). Walk or bike the Stowe Recreation Path. Visit Trapp Family Lodge trails and drive Route 108 toward Smugglers’ Notch. See the Gold Brook Covered Bridge and stop at farm stands for apples and cider.
Visit Moss Glen Falls and Ben & Jerry’s Factory. Take the Stowe Gondola up Mount Mansfield. Try cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
Day 5: Green Mountains and Woodstock, Vermont
Drive scenic Route 100 and find Woodstock, Quechee Gorge, and local farms.
Drive Route 100 south through the Green Mountains (90 minutes). Stop at Texas Falls and small towns like Warren and Waitsfield. Walk around Woodstock’s village green and four covered bridges.
Visit Billings Farm & Museum. Drive to Quechee Gorge and hike the 1-mile trail to the river. Stop at Sugarbush Farm for cheese tastings and roadside stands for fresh cider and maple syrup.
Day 6: Coastal Maine
Leave the mountains behind and seek Portland’s waterfront and the Maine coast.
Drive 3.5 hours to Portland. Stop at L.L.Bean in Freeport. Walk Portland’s Old Port cobblestone streets. Visit Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. Try oysters at Eventide Oyster Co.
Drive Route 1 north through Brunswick, Bath, and Wiscasset. Stop at Red’s Eats for a lobster roll and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse for rock formations.
Day 7: Acadia National Park, Maine
Hike Acadia’s trails, drive to Cadillac Mountain, and seek the park’s fall beauty.
Drive to Bar Harbor (90 minutes). Buy your park pass at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Walk Ocean Path Trail to Thunder Hole. Hike Beehive Trail (1.4 miles) with iron rungs.
Drive to Cadillac Mountain summit (book timed reservation at recreation.gov). Drive Park Loop Road (27 miles). Stop at Jordan Pond for reflection photos and popovers at Jordan Pond House.
Day 8: Bar Harbor to New Hampshire Coast
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Bar Harbor, then drive south through coastal Maine to New Hampshire.
Start with breakfast at 2 Cats. Walk the Shore Path along the harbor. Leave by late morning for the 180-mile drive south. Stop in Camden to see the harbor and drive up Mount Battie for bay views.
Continue through Rockland and stop at Moody’s Diner. Cross into New Hampshire and find Portsmouth. Walk Strawbery Banke Museum and try seafood at The River House.
Day 9: Return to Boston via Rhode Island or Connecticut
Choose between coastal Rhode Island or inland Connecticut for your return to Boston.
Two routes take 2 hours from Portsmouth. Rhode Island route: Stop in Newport for Gilded Age mansions and the Cliff Walk. Seek Providence’s Federal Hill and Brown University campus.
Connecticut route: Visit Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Pizza. Stop at Yale University in New Haven or Essex riverside town. Return your rental car at Logan Airport. Allow 3 hours before your flight.
Tips for Customizing Your 9 Day New England Fall Road Trip
Adjust this itinerary to match your schedule, budget, and travel style with these practical options.
- Shorten to 7 days by skipping Day 8 and driving straight from Acadia to Boston, or cut Vermont to one day by picking either Stowe or Woodstock instead of both.
- Extend to 11 days by adding extra time in Acadia to visit more trails and the Schoodic Peninsula, or include a day in the Berkshires or Burlington on your way back.
- Avoid crowds by staying in Southwest Harbor instead of Bar Harbor, choosing Waterbury over Stowe, or visiting Grafton instead of Woodstock during peak season.
- Travel on a budget by booking chain hotels months ahead, packing snacks and picnic supplies, camping in state parks, and skipping paid attractions since the best scenery is free.
- Go luxury by staying at historic inns like the Equinox Resort or Bar Harbor Inn, splurging on farm to table dining, and booking guided photography tours or scenic train rides.
Conclusion
I still remember my first New England Fall Road Trip 9 Days Itinerary: pulling over every few miles to take photos, tasting warm cider donuts at a random farm stand, watching the sun set over Cadillac Mountain.
The planning paid off, and I want yours to be just as memorable.
Start booking your hotels now if you’re traveling during peak season. Check foliage reports a week before you leave. Pack those layers.
What part of this route are you most excited about? Drop a comment below and let me know.
If this guide helped you plan your trip, share it with someone else who’s dreaming of fall in New England.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 9-day New England fall road trip cost?
Budget travelers spend $1,500-2,000 per person. Mid-range trips cost $2,500-3,500 per person. Luxury options run $4,000+ per person. Book hotels early and pack snacks to cut costs.
When is peak fall foliage in New England?
Northern Vermont and New Hampshire peak late September to early October. Coastal areas peak mid to late October. Check foliage reports before you leave since weather changes timing yearly.
Is 9 days enough to see New England in fall?
Yes, nine days covers five states with time for hiking and scenic drives. You’ll see the highlights but not everything. Add days if you want a slower pace.
What should I pack for a fall road trip in New England?
Bring layers, a warm jacket, waterproof hiking boots, rain jacket, and comfortable shoes. Pack a camera, water bottles, and snacks. Temperatures range from 40s to 60s daily.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
No, you need a car for this route. Public transportation doesn’t reach most destinations. Rent a car in Boston and book ahead for better fall rates.