Fall is the perfect time to take a road trip to New England. Even travelers on a budget can make use of some money-saving tips and itineraries in each state to make the most of a cheap road trip. From scenic drives in coastal towns - during low season - to finding free attractions along the route, there are lots of pocket-friendly ways for frugal wanderers to road trip New England. Check out these ten cheap road trips in New England that won’t bust your budget.
10 Old King’s Highway And Cape Cod In Massachusetts
The Bay State has no shortage of beautiful coastal towns that experience a low season in the autumn. This means that accommodation prices will be lower when the fall foliage is peaking. Although known for its summer glory, Cape Cod is a beautiful destination year-round. Route 6A, also known as Old King’s Highway, runs east to west across the peninsula and offers all the charm of coastal Massachusetts at a bargain price. Local eateries offer affordable options for a belly-filling pit stop.
9 Animal Spotting On Route 1 In Maine
Route 1 runs along coastal Maine and the US-Canadian. This scenic route is a great option for a cheap road trip because of the many free activities and charming towns along its length. Tucked along the far west extension of this route, abutting British Colombia, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,600-acre nature preserve that’s free to the public and offers hours of wildlife spotting, nature photography, and hiking. It’s the perfect destination for outdoorsy road trippers interested in preserving nature…and their bank balance.
8 Literary Road Trip In New Hampshire
Although the smallest state in the US by land area, New Hampshire is packed with things to do year-round. In the autumn, leaf-peeping is one of the best cheap or free ways to enjoy a road trip. Travelers with a taste for literature will relish the Robert Frost-Old Stage Coach Scenic Byway. This route passes through several New Hampshire counties and encompasses much of the region where American poet Robert Frost lived and wrote his famous works. There are miles of scenic road to enjoy along this route and quite a few worthwhile stops, including the Green Tunnel stretch of Route 121, historic churches, and landmarks, many of which are free to enjoy. Taking the road less traveled has never been so rewarding - and cost-effective.
7 Route 44 Across Rhode Island
The perfect road trip in Rhode Island can begin or end at the charming White Mill Park in the northwest corner of the state. Visitors should grab a camera to make the most of the scenic spots in the park. The other end of the route should include Providence and follow Route 44, which crosses the state diagonally from the southeast, a few miles from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, which is free to enter on Sundays between 10 am - 5 pm and on Friday evenings from 5-7. These two attractions make the perfect termini for a cost-conscious cross-state road trip.
6 Finger Lakes National Forest in Vermont
Finger Lakes National Forest is a must-do on a road trip through Vermont. While there are camping fees, this area does not charge any day-use fees for recreation during daylight hours. Visitors can enjoy hiking in daylight hours to their hearts' content. The rest of the drive can include a slow roll-down scenic Route 7 to enjoy the glorious fall colors. What’s best about this road trip itinerary is that visitors can enjoy the stunning scenery from afar and up close, exploring the Vermont wild at their own pace.
5 Route 5 Across Connecticut
Route 5 runs through Connecticut's two major cities, Hartford and New Haven. In each city, travelers can find a wealth of free things to see and do year-round. This road trip is an architecture lover's heaven. New Haven offers the beautiful campus of Yale University, which is free to explore and soak in the youthful energy of campus life. The state capital in Hartford and the Trinity College campus are must-visits for those interested in the state’s design history. To get into the outdoors, visitors can enjoy an after-lunch ramble around idyllic Bushnell Park or a sunset stroll in Mortensen Riverfront Plaza.
4 Route 90 Across Massachusetts
Route 90 cuts east to west across Massachusetts and intersects Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, the state capital. These urban areas offer lots of free things to do, while the rolling forest lands between them feature the best of the state’s fall foliage views. North Riverfront Park and Van Horn Park are free and fun outdoor attractions in Springfield, well worth a stop on this exciting road trip. Boston museums are an excellent reason to visit the city. The innovative Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) offers free admission on Thursday nights from 5 pm - 9 pm. Free admission is available on the first Thursday of every month at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and for everyone named Isabella every day that the museum is open. These creative discount schemes make gallery hopping fun and accessible part of a Route 90 road trip.
3 Northern Maine
The northern half of Maine offers some incredibly scenic views and outdoor activities. The Bigelow Mountain Reserve deserves to be included as a major beginning or end point for any road trip in the north of the state. Camping and hiking are completely free in this range, and trails include varying difficulty. Bigelow Mountain Reserve can be easily combined with a stop in The Forks, just a few miles to the east. The Forks can be explored with a scenic drive on Route 201.
2 Highway 15 In New Hampshire
The Three Rivers Scenic Drive winds its way through White Mountain National Park, unfurling sweeping views of mountains, waterfalls, and acres of the bright autumnal forest. To save money, travelers can enjoy the stunning backdrop for photos and even picnic lunches. The trip can be expanded to link to other scenic drives in the area, like the Mount Washington Auto Road. The strength of this road trip is its flexibility and zero cost (well, except for the cost of fuel).
1 Vermont Interstate 89
This route begins or ends in Burlington, Vermont, offering an urban experience for travelers looking for variety in their road trip experience. The journey continues through three scenic areas, Camel’s Hump State Park and Mount Mansfield State Park, and the tail end of CC Putnam State Forest. Moreover, the route continues into neighboring New Hampshire for road trippers who want to expand the adventure. This route is perfect for a mix of leaf peeing and urban exploration. Burlington offers a variety of free attractions, including a free tour of the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. What could be sweeter?