New England Six-State Loop

A grand loop from Boston covering all six states, including the Maine Coast, White Mountains, Vermont, the Berkshires, and Cape Cod

This clockwise loop covers the highlights of New England, making it perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the coast, mountains, and historic towns in one trip. You'll spend one or two nights in each location, resulting in frequent hotel changes and longer drives (with Days 5 and 7 spent mostly on the road). Only one full day is allocated to Boston; if you wish to visit Harvard and the city's museums, consider adding days at the beginning or end of the trip. Best suited for road-trippers with limited time who want to see it all.

Fall foliage is at its peak from late September to mid-October, but accommodations along the route must be booked months in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Boston Freedom Trail

Boston（Freedom Trail、Quincy Market / Faneuil Hall、North End）

Explore on foot and by subway all day, walking the Freedom Trail from downtown to the North End. No car is needed.

We recommend picking up your rental car only when leaving Boston, as parking in the city is difficult and expensive.

Stay: Downtown and Waterfront

Day 2 · Salem & North to Portland

Boston（Salem） → Portland, Maine（Old Port）

Pick up your car and head north. Boston to Salem takes about 40 minutes, and Salem to Portland is about 2 hours.

Stay: Old Port

Day 3 · Maine Coast to Bar Harbor

Portland, Maine（Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park） → Camden（Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse、Mount Battie）

Drive east along Route 1 (approx. 5 hours including stops); the direct drive to Bar Harbor takes about 3 hours.

Stay: Bar Harbor Town

Day 4 · Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park（Ocean Path、Thunder Hole、Jordan Pond、Cadillac Mountain）

Based in Bar Harbor, drive along the Park Loop Road. Travel times between key sights range from 10 to 30 minutes.

Vehicle reservations are required to drive up Cadillac Mountain during peak season; book online in advance.

Stay: Bar Harbor Town

Day 5 · Across Maine to the White Mountains

White Mountains (North Conway)（North Conway Village）

A full day of driving. Bar Harbor to North Conway takes about 4.5 hours; stop for lunch in an inland town.

Stay: North Conway

Day 6 · Mount Washington to Stowe

White Mountains (North Conway)（Mount Washington Summit） → Stowe, Vermont（Ben & Jerry's Factory、Stowe Community Church & Stowe Village）

Drive north to Mount Washington in the morning. After descending, drive west to Stowe (approx. 2.5 hours). Total driving time is about 7 hours.

Weather at the summit can change rapidly; check road conditions before departing and bring a jacket.

Stay: Stowe Village Main Street

Day 7 · South Through Vermont to the Berkshires

Manchester, Vermont（Manchester Village & The Equinox） → The Berkshires（MASS MoCA）

Drive south through Vermont to North Adams (approx. 3.5 hours), then continue to Lenox (approx. 1 hour).

MASS MoCA is typically closed on Tuesdays; verify opening hours before you go.

Stay: Lenox

Day 8 · Across Massachusetts to Newport

Newport, Rhode Island（The Breakers、Cliff Walk）

Drive southeast from Lenox to Newport (approx. 3 hours). Explore the Mansion District on foot in the afternoon.

Stay: Waterfront & Thames Street

Day 9 · Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod (Hyannis)（Cape Cod National Seashore (Salt Pond Visitor Center)、Coast Guard Beach、Nauset Light）

Drive from Newport to the Outer Cape (approx. 2.5 hours). Spend the afternoon driving through the National Seashore.

Stay: Eastham and Wellfleet

Day 10 · Plymouth & Return to Boston

Boston（Plymouth: Mayflower II & Plymouth Rock）

Drive from the Outer Cape to Plymouth (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Logan Airport (approx. 1 hour).

Traffic leaving the Cape can be heavy on summer weekends; start your drive early.