Boston is a living American history lesson, boasting Revolutionary War landmarks like the Old North Church and Freedom Trail. With an endless array of incredible seafood restaurants and charming Irish pubs, it’s worth spending time in Boston to enjoy all the city has to offer. At the same time, New England’s biggest city is also a launch pad for a road trip to the numerous small towns dotting the Atlantic coast. Here are the best road trips from Boston.
Fabulous Road Trips from Boston
Note: Drive times are estimates, and can vary greatly due to New England traffic.
Salem
25 miles / 32 mins.
The quick jaunt northeast up I-93 and I-95 to Salem, Massachusetts may not seem like a proper road trip. However, this quaint city known for its witchcraft trials is a must-see attraction that quickly transports visitors to another world. Settled in 1626, the coastal city provides a mix of historical attractions like the Salem Witch Museum and a 171-foot replica of the Friendship merchant ship. Salem’s charming downtown is also home to an eclectic mix of specialty shops and cozy restaurants.
Newport, Rhode Island
84 miles / 1 hr. 30 mins.
Head south from Boston on I-95 to reach Rhode Island, a tiny state packed with sprawling mansions, world-class museums and sandy beaches. The quaint coastal town of Newport is a popular summer haven known for its stately historic homes and breathtaking coastline. Stop by the Vanderbilt family’s summer home (called The Breakers) and drive down Ocean Avenue to enjoy one of the best spots in New England for sunsets.
Portland, Maine
112 miles / 1 hr. 45 mins.
Just a couple hours north up I-95 from Boston lies Portland, Maine, a charming port city known for craft breweries and lighthouses dotting Casco Bay. To catch an incredible sunset, drive about 15 minutes south to the Portland Head Light lighthouse in Fort Williams Park. One of the best things about a road trip to Portland is stopping at great beach towns along the way, including Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach.
Cape Cod
116 miles / 2 hr. 10 mins.
A trip to Cape Cod region from Boston is a must, especially in the summer months. To make the most of this road trip, cruise through the Cape’s historic towns, including Sandwich, Orleans and Wellfleet. The last stop on this route is the iconic Provincetown, known for its inclusive culture and LGBTQ+-friendly nightlife. Try to avoid driving from Boston to Cape Cod on Friday evenings in the summer, as this route becomes logjammed with heavy traffic as people leave the city for the weekend.
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
130 miles / 2 hr. 20 mins.
For an outdoorsy road trip that takes you off the beaten path, set your sights on New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest via I-93. The forest spanning more than 750,000 acres is home to lakes, streams, hiking trails, ski areas and wildlife including moose, foxes and black bears. Accommodations range from campgrounds to luxury resorts with amenities like hot tubs and pools. One of the best scenic drives through the White Mountains is a 34.5-mile part of NH-112 known as the Kancamagus Highway (or “The Kanc”), which people flock to in the fall to watch the leaves change colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can drive a rental car from one country to another in Europe.
If you are planning on driving across Europe, I recommend renting from Hertz. It is much less expensive than hiring a private driver. They provide great coverage.
You also get unlimited mileage. If you need to rent a car for more than one trip, you have the option of renting multiple cars.
Do rental cars in Europe have automatic transmissions?
Yes. Renting vehicles without automatic transmissions is not allowed by rental agencies because they are costly to replace if they are damaged while being driven around. It would cost far too much money to replace all those parts each time you drive off with dents on the bodywork.
Renting a car abroad requires that you have an automatic transmission.
Do you require a car to travel around Europe?
The best solution to your problem depends on where you live, what you do and how you think. One European city may have different priorities than one in rural areas.
You should also consider how long you plan to stay in each country. You may need an economical car if there are frequent trips and you don’t plan on staying in one place for long.
In most cases, buying an used car is cheaper than renting one. A used car is usually cheaper than renting in Europe for many reasons. You can save money on fuel costs, parking fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and so forth.
Another benefit is the fact that you can drive your car without any distractions.
There are some excellent websites out there that give information about car rentals in Europe. You should check out the following recommendations.
Is it possible to rent a car in Germany, and then return it to Switzerland?
Answering this question will depend on many factors including the vehicle type you are renting, how much time you plan to drive, and whether or not you have any special requirements such as child seats.
If you’re driving from Munich to Zurich and don’t want to hire a car, public transportation is an option. A rental car may be an option for those who want to drive between Munich and Barcelona on holiday.
Chase Sapphire provides car rental insurance for Ireland.
Yes, your vehicle can be insured for an additional EUR15 daily. You also have the option to add a variety of optional extras such as breakdown assistance or theft insurance, as well personal accident insurance.
Is it possible to rent a car in Europe and then return it?
Renting cars in multiple locations is one way you can make your travels easier. But, it’s important to return the cars where they were rented.
However, this idea might not be very practical because people don’t want to pay for extra mileage. Rental agencies often charge more to return a car to an area other than the one it was originally rented.
If you don’t plan to travel often, it might be better not to choose one country.
Who is the best American car rental agency?
Hertz customer service is unsurpassed. They are always available to assist you in finding the right vehicle for your occasion. They offer great deals on vehicles and have an extensive fleet of cars available across all major cities. You can rent a vehicle for as little as $10 per hour.
Hertz also offers free airport pickup-and-drop-off services, 24-hour assistance on the road, and even a complete line accessories and equipment to make sure you are safe while driving around town.
If you’re looking for a quality car rental experience, check out the Hertz website today!
Statistics
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
External Links
alamo.com
jdpower.com
sixt.com
enterprise.com
How To
Tips for booking a rental car in Europe
Europe can be divided into cities and countries. The most popular destinations include Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, and Berlin. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is one of many car-hire agencies that offers worldwide services, including Hertz and Avis as well as Europcar. These companies can be found at major airports, railway stations, and cities centers. You will usually find them with drivers and fuel included. You can rent a Volkswagen Polo for as little as EUR 40 per day.
The process for booking will differ depending on your destination country. You may have different payment options in some countries like Spain. Sometimes taxes and fees are included in the rental price. Before making reservations, make sure to check out the website. If you do not know where you want to go or if you simply prefer to drive yourself, check out these companies:Alamo,Avis,Europcar,Budget,National, andThrifty
