New England Fall Foliage Loop
A classic autumn driving loop starting and ending in Boston, linking Stowe in Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the coast of Maine, with maple reds, covered bridges, white churches and lighthouses.
Fall foliage in New England is one of the most popular themes for road trips in North America. The classic loop starts in Boston and heads northwest. First, follow Route 2 through Lexington and Concord (Walden Pond), then enter Vermont and head north on Route 100. This road runs the length of the Green Mountains and is considered Vermont's most beautiful foliage route, passing towns such as Woodstock and Weston. In Stowe, stay overnight, cross Smugglers' Notch, and visit the Ben & Jerry's Factory and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Then head east into the White Mountains of New Hampshire: Franconia Notch (the Flume gorge and the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway), the Kancamagus Highway, Crawford Notch and North Conway. Mount Washington can be climbed by cog railway or by car. Next, head southeast to the coast of Maine: Portland (Portland Head Light), Kennebunkport, and the Marginal Way cliff walk at Ogunquit. Then head south back to Boston. The whole loop is about 1,100 km. Plan 5 to 9 days. You can also extend northeast to Acadia National Park. Check each state's real-time foliage map to choose your route. Popular towns get congested on weekends, so travel on weekdays if you can.