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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!