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2 Best Road Trips In The U.S. Are In New England

Author Lauren Beckham Falcone

Road trips are the best way to see the world from a new perspective.

Think “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “Little Miss Sunshine”.

A road trip can be an epic vacation. (Well, if you’re the grandmother in “Vacation” not so much. But I digress.

AAA recently released a list of the 18 best road trips in the U.S. for 2024. Southern New England and Cape Cod made the cut, offering travelers unique and scenic experiences. Road trips are incredibly popular, with more than 100 million Americans planning to hit the road this summer. Each state offers something special, making it hard to choose the best routes.

Here’s a look at two top road trips, along with some tips from AAA Travel to make planning easier.

Southern New England Road Trip

Starting and ending in Boston, Southern New England is a history buff’s dream. The journey covers 229.4 miles and takes about five hours. Along the way, you’ll explore sites from the American Revolution on Boston’s Freedom Trail. Mystic, Connecticut, offers quaint shops in Colonial-era buildings, while Newport, Rhode Island, boasts lavish Gilded Age mansions.

This trip is perfect for couples, history enthusiasts, and families. If you time it right, you’ll also catch the stunning fall foliage in late October and early November. For an extra adventure, consider exploring nearby Martha’s Vineyard via the Cape Cod road trip.

Cape Cod Road Trip

The Cape Cod run is a 174-mile journey through some of New England’s most beautiful and historic spots. Starting in Boston, it’s is great for fishing fans, beachgoers, and whale watchers. The route takes about six hours, but it’s worth every minute.

Along the way, you can visit a touching monument to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. If you’re traveling between mid-April and October, you might even spot humpback whales during the whale-watching season.

Road trips offer unparalleled freedom and adventure. They allow you to explore at your own pace, stopping whenever something catches your eye. They’re perfect for bonding with family and friends, creating shared experiences that turn into cherished memories.

Hitting the highway can be an ultimate way to explore the U.S. From the historical charm of Southern New England to the scenic beauty of Cape Cod, there’s a perfect trip for everyone. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and hit the road for an adventure you’ll never forget.

Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.

The Top 5 Things We Love About Road trips

Everyone loves road trips, especially in the summer. After another long winter of staying in and not wanting to go anywhere, unless it’s a warm place, most of us are more than ready to hit the road. When we think of vacations, most of us prefer to get away. Staycations are okay and can be a lot more economical, but let’s face it, you don’t really do as much as you think you will. That is of course unless you’re a good planner.  To be honest, with most staycations we end up just hanging around the house and streaming a bunch of shows.

So, how about an ideal getaway? What would that look like. You might be surprised to learn that for more than half of us that doesn’t mean getting on a plane and flying off to an exotic destination for sun, food and fun. Nope, it means packing up our family rides and hitting the road to the all of the adventures that await us.

Forget the expensive costs of flying and the overly expensive resort destinations and throw the suitcases in the back and let’s take a road trip!

Most of us love Road Trips the best

Would your ideal vacation include a short flight, or a somewhat long drive? A poll found 73% of Americans prefer to road-trip it when possible.

The average person has been on 16 road trips in their life. Here are the five best parts of one, according to the poll . . .

 

It also looked at the most annoying things that can happen on the road. The top three are no cell service . . . constantly having to stop so someone can use the bathroom . . . and your kids asking, “Are we there yet?”

37% of people have also experienced a “road trip NIGHTMARE.”

Some common ones people mentioned were flat tires, breakdowns, bad weather, and realizing you hate the person sitting next to you.

(SWNS)

  • 5. A tie between "trying local food along the way" and "getting to your destination." No matter how good the trip is, getting there is always fun.

    Hungry woman eating croissant from fridge, view from inside, nighttime cravings

    If you do try a road trip it is always best to map out where you want to eat. A favorite thing to do is find great spots that have been featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Lord knows that show has been all over the country and back, so it would be easy to find a few to hit up.

  • 4. You just really like driving. 25% agreed with that.

    Couple is sitting in car. Guy is driving and eating candy bar. Girl is looking straight and biting a piece of bar as well. They are safety locked with seatbelt. (Snack Attack: Top 7 Road Trip Munchies)
    There’s something about the sheer freedom of driving when you are not on a schedule. You can stop and linger at destinations or just cruise along taking in all the sites without having to be anywhere for a change.

  • 3. Getting a break from your routine.

    Sunset view of the beach at Cape Cod, Massachusetts (2 Massachusetts Spots Named America's Favorite Resorts)

    Getty Images / Lucky Photographer

    It’s always great to get out of your day to day routine. Let’s face it, everyday life can be a grind, always having to be certain places at certain times. On a road trip, you’re on you’re own time for a change. That can be very intoxicating.

  • 2. Listening to music on the RADIO.

    The Drive In Cinema - Press Launch

    . (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

    We love this one, and frankly feel it should be number one on the list. After all what is a road trip without the jams? Your favorite songs always sound better with the windows rolled down and the radio cranked! Turn it to 11!

  • 1. Seeing new landscapes and scenery.

    Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. It's one of the best budget vacations.

    Getty Images / skiserge1

    Our country has so much beauty to see that you have to get on the road to appreciate it all. Flying over it, does no justice. You have to see the rolling hills, mountains, oceans, lakes and rivers from the care to really appreciate the beautiful country we live in. Just turn up the radio and take it all in!

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Author Lauren Beckham Falcone
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