Experiences
New England road trip: autumn colours from Boston to Vermont and Maine
Maples blaze red and orange, smoke rises from a farmhouse and the air smells of apple cider. How to drive New England in autumn.
It is a cold morning in Vermont. The valley is full of mist, and when the sun breaks through, the maples glow red, orange and yellow as if someone has set the hills alight. By the road stands a farm with pumpkins on the porch and a sign for freshly boiled maple syrup.
New England is the six states in the north-east of the US, with Boston as the largest city. In autumn it becomes one of the world's best-known destinations for foliage lovers, or leaf peepers as they are called locally. It is a road trip of short distances, charming small towns and plenty of good food.
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How to do it
Fly to Boston and hire a car there. A loop of a week to ten days covers Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Follow the leaves: colour arrives first in the north and the mountains, then further south and on the coast.
Take the small roads. The interstates are fast, but the country roads are where you see the colours.
Book accommodation early. Peak weekends fill up fast.
The best route
Boston: start with the Freedom Trail and seafood by the harbour.
Vermont: Route 100 through small towns, farms and covered bridges, with Woodstock, Manchester and Stowe as highlights.
New Hampshire: the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains, one of the best-known autumn drives in the US.
Maine: coastal towns with lighthouses and lobster rolls, and Acadia National Park further north.
Cape Cod: beaches, dunes and quiet villages, a lovely place to finish.
The farm in autumn
Covered bridges and red barns are part of the season. Photo: Eric Chen / Unsplash
A taste of autumn
Autumn in New England is as much about food as colour. Pick apples, buy cider doughnuts at a farm, taste maple syrup straight from the sugar house and eat a lobster roll at a shack on the Maine coast. Many small towns hold harvest markets at weekends.
Book experiences: See tours and activities in Boston
Where to stay in New England
Spend a few nights in Boston, then move between the villages. Many of the best places are small inns and resorts with long histories.
The Liberty: a historic hotel in Boston
The Liberty occupies a former jail building by the Charles River, now an elegant hotel with restaurants and bars. A good start before you head north.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Liberty, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
von Trapp Family Lodge
A mountain village with an Austrian feel in Vermont. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
von Trapp Family Lodge: Alpine charm in Stowe
The lodge in the hills above Stowe was founded by the family who inspired The Sound of Music, and still has an Austrian feel. There are walking trails, a brewery and views over forests changing colour.
Book your stay: See rooms at von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort
The Equinox: a classic resort in Manchester, Vermont
The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa is in Manchester at the foot of the Green Mountains, a short drive from the small towns of southern Vermont.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa
Cliff House Maine: on the cliffs by the sea
Cliff House sits on the cliffs at Cape Neddick in southern Maine, with the Atlantic right outside. A good place to combine autumn colour with sea air.
Book your stay: See rooms at Cliff House Maine
Chatham Bars Inn
Finish the trip by the beach on Cape Cod. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Chatham Bars Inn: finishing on Cape Cod
Chatham Bars Inn sits by the beach in Chatham at the elbow of Cape Cod. After a week in the car, the spa and the sea make a fine ending.
Book your stay: See rooms at Chatham Bars Inn
When is the best time to see the autumn colours?
Colour usually arrives from late September in the north and the mountains, and peaks around mid-October across much of the region. The coast and southern New England come last. Follow the local foliage reports, which are updated through the season.
When should you book?
Hotels in Vermont and New Hampshire for October: several months ahead.
Car hire from Boston: early, prices rise in the autumn season.
Restaurant tables in popular small towns: a few days ahead at weekends.
Frequently asked questions about a New England road trip
Where should I stay for the New England fall foliage?
Spend a couple of nights in Boston, then move out to the villages. The von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe and The Equinox in Manchester sit among Vermont's colours, while Cliff House in Maine and Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod add the coast.
When is the best time for fall foliage in New England?
Colour usually arrives from late September in the north and peaks around mid-October across much of the region. The coast and the south come slightly later.
How long do you need for a New England road trip?
A week to ten days is enough for Boston, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine at a relaxed pace.
What is the best drive for autumn colours?
The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and Route 100 in Vermont are among the best-known autumn drives.
Do you need a car in New England?
Yes, to see the colours in the countryside you need a car. In Boston you can manage fine without one.