Boston to Burlington VT. Chase peak autumn colors from historic Boston through Vermont's covered bridges, mountain villages, and lakeside towns. 520 km of the most spectacular fall scenery in North America.
New England in October is not just a road trip. It is a pilgrimage. Every year, millions of leaf-peepers descend on Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to witness one of nature's most dramatic seasonal transformations. And this route from Boston to Burlington puts you on the front row.
In 520 kilometers, you travel from the colonial history of Boston and Salem, through the literary landscapes of Concord, past dozens of covered bridges that look like they belong in a painting, through mountain passes ablaze with color, and finally to the shores of Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks as your backdrop.
What makes this route exceptional is the density of classic New England experiences per mile. White church steeples against crimson maples. Wooden covered bridges over rocky streams. Farm stands selling fresh cider and warm donuts. Mountain gondola rides above a canopy of gold, orange, and red. You cannot replicate this anywhere else on Earth.
7 days, 4 legs, and enough covered bridges and mountain views to fill a lifetime of memories.
Explore the witch trial history at the Salem Witch Museum and Peabody Essex Museum. The waterfront is remarkable in October with peak colors reflecting off the harbor.
Walk the shores of Walden Pond where Thoreau lived. Visit Minuteman National Historical Park for Revolutionary War history wrapped in golden foliage. The Old North Bridge is memorable in fall.
Take Route 2 west through the Mohawk Trail for one of the oldest scenic drives in America. The winding road through the Berkshires into Vermont is a highlight on its own.
Brattleboro has a surprisingly vibrant farm-to-table scene. Try local Vermont cheddar and craft cider at one of the downtown gastropubs.
Gallery Walk features dozens of studios and shops. The town has a creative, bohemian energy with excellent bookstores and cafes. Saturday morning farmers market is a must.
This region has dozens of covered bridges, many dating to the 1800s. The Creamery Bridge and West Dummerston Bridge are two of the most photographed. Each one frames the fall colors perfectly.
Visit Billings Farm for a working dairy farm experience. The covered bridge right in the center of town is iconic. Walk the village green lined with sugar maples at peak color.
Called Vermont's Little Grand Canyon. The 165-foot deep gorge is surrounded by blazing maples in October. Walk down the trail to the base for the best views and photos.
Woodstock has upscale New England dining. The Woodstock Inn serves locally sourced meals. Prince and the Pauper is a local favorite for fine dining.
Take the Killington Gondola for panoramic views of six states at peak foliage. The K-1 Express Gondola runs special fall foliage rides. Worth every penny for the view.
Drive Route 100 through the heart of the forest. This stretch is consistently ranked among the top 10 fall drives in America. Stop at roadside pullouts for photos of the mountains in full color.
The white church steeple against blazing red and orange mountains is the classic Vermont image. Visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge (yes, The Sound of Music family). Excellent craft breweries including The Alchemist.
Stowe Mountain Resort runs gondola rides through peak foliage season. The 360-degree views from the summit of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, are absolutely worth the trip.
Stowe is a foodie destination. Craft breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and the best maple creemees (soft serve) in Vermont. Try Hen of the Wood for a special dinner.
A narrow, winding road through a dramatic mountain pass with massive boulders and cliff walls. The road was used by smugglers in the 1800s. Drive slowly and stop at the summit. Not for RVs or large vehicles.
Walk the Burlington Greenway along Lake Champlain. The Adirondack Mountains across the lake create a remarkable backdrop of layered fall colors. Catch sunset from the waterfront park.
A vibrant pedestrian mall with local shops, restaurants, and street performers. Great for picking up Vermont artisan goods and maple syrup to bring home. Ben and Jerry's first scoop shop was near here.
Burlington has the best restaurant scene in Vermont. Church Street has everything from farm-to-table to international cuisine. Try Hen of the Wood (the original location) or American Flatbread.
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Things the guidebooks skip. From someone who has actually driven this route.
Book accommodations months in advance for October. Peak foliage weekends sell out across Vermont by July or August.
Leaf-peeper traffic can double or triple normal drive times on weekends, especially on Route 100 and near Stowe. Travel midweek if possible.
Mountain roads can be slippery with wet fallen leaves, especially after rain. Reduce speed on curves and shaded sections.
Some of the most scenic back roads are dirt or gravel. Check conditions before venturing off main routes, especially after rain.
Smugglers Notch (Route 108) is not suitable for RVs, trailers, or large vehicles. The road is narrow with tight switchbacks and overhanging rocks.
Cell service is unreliable in rural Vermont valleys and mountain passes. Download offline maps before leaving Burlington or any major town.
Route 100 runs the spine of the Green Mountains
Smugglers Notch (Rte 108) is a narrow, dramatic mountain pass
Highlights: Covered bridges, farm stands, mountain vistas
Best photography window: October 8-15
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