Unveiling The Best of New England: A Road Trip from Boston to Stowe, VT
For as long as I can remember, seeing the leaves change colors in New England has been on my bucket list of travel itineraries. I was finally able to make this trip a reality with a five-day road trip through New England with my sisters. If you are searching for a mix of picturesque beauty and historical significance, my New England road trip adventure begins with this leg from the bustling city of Boston to Stowe, VT.
Dotted with charming small towns and vibrant fall foliage, this road trip provides an unforgettable drive through the heart of New England.
This post will guide you on the best route, along I-93 N and I-89 N, and reveal hidden gems for pit stops, such as the Quechee Gorge and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.
I’ll show you how we fit five New England states into five days, beginning in Boston, Massachusetts.
Ready or not, here we come.
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Travel Resources for a Boston to Stowe Road Trip
- For air travel, navigate to Skyscanner.com to book the most economical flights.
- Secure the best rental car deals with Discover Cars.
- Uncover a world of tours and activities in Boston on Viator.com.
- Discover the perfect stay on your road trip with Booking.com.
Starting in Boston
We flew into Boston the night before, which worked out perfectly. Boston is an easy hub for flights, and staying a night means you don’t have to hit the road tired.
Spend your first day with my Boston weekend itinerary, wandering the Freedom Trail or enjoying seafood at the waterfront.
Pick up your rental car the next morning. Stowe is about 200 miles from Boston, a four-hour drive without stops. But with the right detours, the drive is half the fun.
If you have a late flight and need a place to rest before starting your road trip, I recommend the Comfort Inn & Suites at Boston Logan. It’s a clean hotel offering a complimentary shuttle from the airport and a complimentary breakfast.
How Far is Stowe from Boston?
As a first-time visitor to New England, you might be curious about the distance you’ll cover.
Boston to Stowe, VT, is roughly 217 miles, which is manageable for a road trip.
On a good day, you can expect to reach Stowe in about 3.5 to 4 hours.
And let me tell you, the drive is as scenic as they come, especially during the fall. Those New England autumn hues are truly something to behold!
How to Get From Boston to Stowe VT
Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of city life as you take the most scenic drive from Boston to Stowe, VT. Leave the city’s traffic behind and drive towards the rolling hills and cute little towns of Vermont.
The road trip to Vermont is effortless in the fall. While we took this route and thoroughly enjoyed it, I highly recommend checking and planning your own specific route before you hit the road.
Consider my trip planner as inspiration, not exact directions, as I don’t want any adventurers getting lost! I’ve included approximate travel times, but exact driving times may vary.
Stop 1: Concord, New Hampshire – A Gateway to the White Mountains
About an hour and 15 minutes north of Boston sits Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. It’s a perfect spot to stretch your legs before you continue deeper into the mountains.
Downtown Concord has a classic Main Street feel, with boutique shops and cafés. Grab a coffee at Revelstoke Coffee, or a sit-down breakfast at The Works Café, a local favorite with bagels and fresh pastries.
If you have time, the New Hampshire State House is worth a quick walk. From here, you’ll continue north on I-89, heading straight into some of New England’s best foliage drives.
Drive time: Boston to Concord, NH – 1 hour 15 minutes, ~68 miles
Trip Tip: You want GPS and a Google printed map, paper directions, or a Google map that is available offline. Having your directions printed out will help in places without the internet.
Stop 2: Quechee Gorge – Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon
Continue on I-89N for another 90 minutes to Quechee Gorge in Vermont. The view from the bridge is stunning, especially in the fall when the Ottauquechee River is framed by fiery foliage. Walk the short trail down to the base of the gorge if you want to stretch your legs.
Quechee Gorge Village nearby has antiques and gift shops, plus the Quechee General Store, where you can sample Vermont cheddar.
Drive time: Concord, NH to Quechee Gorge – 1.5 hours, ~ 85 miles
Stop 3: Woodstock, VT – A Classic Vermont Village
Proceed west on US-4 to reach Woodstock, VT, a quintessential New England town perfect for a fall visit.
Woodstock was the highlight of our trip. With its village green, boutique shops, and picture-perfect homes, it feels like walking through a postcard.
We only stopped for a few hours, but if I made this trip again, I’d spend the night at the beautifully restored Woodstock Inn.
There are many Instagram-worthy spots in Woodstock.
Don’t miss the Middle Covered Bridge, right in town. For lunch, head to Mon Vert Café for sandwiches and coffee, or the Prince & the Pauper for a cozy dinner if you stay overnight.
Before leaving, stop at the Woodstock Farmer’s Market to see all the flowers, pumpkins, and apples on full display.
Stock up on baked goods in the bakery and grab a snack for the remaining part of your road trip from Boston to Stowe, VT, including their turkey, apple, and cheese sandwich.
Have you ever heard of such a thing? It is such an unusual but delicious combination.
Drive time: Quechee Gorge to Woodstock – 15 minutes, ~ 14 miles
Stop 4: Taftsville Covered Bridge
Just outside Woodstock is Taftsville Covered Bridge, a two-span bridge built in 1836, one of Vermont’s oldest and prettiest.
Painted a deep red, it stretches over the Ottauquechee River and looks especially magical with fall leaves in the background. You only need 10 minutes here, but it’s worth pulling over.
The covered bridges along your route from Boston to Stowe make great spots for photos and taking in the autumn ambiance.
The route to picturesque Sleepy Hollow runs right through the Taftsville Bridge, one of Vermont’s oldest covered bridges, and one of many covered bridges in Vermont.
There isn’t much to do at the covered bridges other than hop out of the car and take a pic, but they are still beautiful.
Drive time: Woodstock to Taftsville Bridge – 5 minutes
Stop 5: Sleepy Hollow Farm – The Most Photographed Spot in Vermont
From Woodstock, head north on VT-12 to Pomfret to see Sleepy Hollow Farm. This is the quintessential Vermont scene with rolling hills, a winding driveway, and a red barn framed by trees ablaze in color.
If you are an Instagram fan or follow any New England boards on Pinterest, you have likely seen this highly photographed farm.
It’s private property, previously owned by Aerosmith’s guitarist Joe Perry and his wife, but visitors are welcome to admire it from the road. Go early in the day if you want fewer crowds.
Drive time: Woodstock to Sleepy Hollow Farm – 15 minutes
Stop 6: Sugarbush Farm – Maple Syrup and Cheese
Continue up VT-12 a few miles to Sugarbush Farm, where you can taste pure Vermont maple syrup and cheeses made on-site.
There is a charming gift shop that sells Vermont state ornaments and our most unique buy of the trip, CBD oil from Kingdom Acres. My sister, Jenny, still swears this works better than anything else she has tried for her chronic heel pain.
The drive up the dirt road is steep, but the reward is worth it. Take time to walk the maple trail that explains how syrup is made.
Drive time: Sleepy Hollow Farm to Sugarbush Farm – 20 minutes, ~ 6 miles
Trip Tip: Plan to stay overnight at the Woodstock Inn. The town is charming and deserves more time.
Stop 7: Ben & Jerry’s Factory – Sweet Treat Before Stowe
After leaving Sugarbush Farm, head north on I-89.
On your way to Stowe, stop at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury.
The tours are short and fun, but even if you skip that, don’t miss the scoop shop. Flavors taste better here, maybe because you’ve earned it.
Drive time: Sugarbush Farm to Ben & Jerry’s – 1 hour, ~57 miles
Final Stop: Stowe, VT
After the Ben & Jerry’s factory, your Boston to Vermont road trip is close to an end. Stowe is a short drive away!
Once you reach Stowe, enjoy its cozy mountain town atmosphere, breathtaking foliage, scenic drives like Smugglers Notch State Park, and many outdoor activities.
You’ll most likely be exhausted from your road trip as you settle in, but Stowe makes a perfect fall getaway. You will love spending time making memories here.
For dinner, head to Harrison’s, a local favorite with hearty Vermont comfort food. Or grab a craft beer and wood-fired pizza at The Bench.
Drive time: Ben & Jerry’s to Stowe – 15 minutes, ~ 11 miles
When to Take This Boston to Stowe, VT Road Trip
Fall in New England doesn’t last long, and timing is everything.
Northern Vermont (including Stowe) usually peaks in late September to early October. Southern Vermont peaks a little later, mid-October.
If you want the brightest colors along the whole drive, the first two weeks of October are your best bet.
Weekdays are calmer than weekends, when popular stops like Sleepy Hollow Farm and Woodstock get crowded. Go early in the morning for fewer cars and better light for photos.
Scenic Drive Options
The quickest drive from Boston to Stowe is via I-89, but the most scenic options are:
- Route 2 through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Slower but lined with dramatic views.
- Route 100 in Vermont. Known as the “skiers’ highway,” it’s one of the prettiest foliage drives in the state.
Plan Your Boston to Stowe Drive Today
This drive is more than just a way to get from point A to B. It’s the kind of road trip where the stops become the story.
Taking this trip with my sisters made it even better. We laughed through wrong turns, argued over which covered bridge was the prettiest, and agreed that Vermont maple syrup tastes better than anything else on earth.
A Boston to Stowe, VT road trip is the perfect way to soak up fall in New England. Take it slow, stop often, and let the road surprise you.
