The Open Road Travel

A road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston takes you from the capital of the United States to one of its oldest cities.

A 440 mile road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston will take you through the states of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, past some of the most historic, iconic locations in the United States.

Read on to uncover all the highlights that await you on this incredible journey through the northeast United States.

A road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston covers 440 miles (708 kilometres) and takes around 7 hours to complete. It is a relatively straightforward journey that passes through almost all of the most famous cities in the region.

You begin by joining the Capital Beltway at your nearest point and heading north to Exit 27, where you will continue north on the I-95. You’ll stay on this until you cross the George Washington Bridge and pass into New York City.

Once you’ve crossed the Alexander Hamilton Bridge and entered The Bronx, take Exit 1 C-D then Exit C to continue going north, this time on the I-87. At Exit 8, take I-287 east for 7 miles, then use Exit 9N to start heading north again, this time on the Hutchinson River Parkway.

After passing into Connecticut, you will find yourself on Connecticut Route 15. You’ll then remain on this for its 83.5-mile duration, before merging onto the I-84 in East Hartford.

Follow the I-84 to its conclusion in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, where you’ll merge onto the I-90, which takes you the remaining 60 miles, to your destination of Boston.

There are two periods that could be considered the best time for a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston. Which one you choose will depend on the purpose of your journey.

Late-April to the end June is the best choice for the majority of people, as it offers some of the best temperatures either your route or destination will see all year.

It is also when the city of Boston hosts perhaps its most famous event, the Boston Marathon, which is held on the 3rd Monday in April.

The other great option you have for a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston is in the build-up to Halloween, from mid to late October.

This is because our route passes near two of the best places to spend Halloween in the entire United States, Salem, Massachusetts and Sleepy Hollow, New York.

At 7 hours long, a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston could be completed in a single day by many people. However, most will want to break it up, to ensure they have plenty of time to relax and see all of the incredible sights that await them along the way.

While you have a number of fabulous options on this route, the following two choices are what we feel to be the best places to stop on a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston, as they offer the best combination of amenities and attractions, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States, as well as its 6th most populous.

Founded in 1682 by writer William Penn, it is filled with a number of the country’s most important historical attractions, many of which are located in Independence National Historical Park.

Throughout Independence National Historical Park, you will find sites such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the First Bank Of The United States. These sights hold incredible significance, as they were where both the Declaration Of Independence and American Constitution were adopted.

Affectionately nicknamed the “City Of Brotherly Love”, there is plenty besides history to entertain visitors as well.

With an abundance of entertainment, leisure, and sporting attractions, while being a major hub for a range of industries, such as transport, there is plenty for everyone on offer in Philly.

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is a stunning, 4-star hotel, located right on the edge of Independence National Historical Park. A pet friendly hotel, it features the perfect combination of historical style and modern convenience.

All of the rooms boast exquisite décor, luxury furnishings, and stunning views, while amenities like a flat screen TV, well stocked minibar, hairdryer, and bathrobe help to complete the most comfortable experience possible. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the property.

The Red Owl Tavern restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, while brunch is offered on weekends. You also have the Stratus Rooftop Lounge, which serves handcrafted cocktails in an environment that features a cosy fireplace and a stunning view of the city and Liberty Bell.

Other facilities available at the property include business and fitness centres, a 24 hour front desk, an ATM, and complimentary bicycle rentals. Private on-site parking is also available for an extra fee.

New York City is perhaps the most famous city in the world, as well as the most populous in the United States.

The amazing contrast of its iconic skyscrapers and famous locations to more natural beauty spots, such as Central Park and Coney Island, make it a city that has something for everyone.

Obvious attractions like the Empire State Building, Statue Of Liberty, Times Square, and Grand Central Station are must visit sites during your stay in New York. You can even take boat, bus, or helicopter tours to see and learn about them from a different perspective.

You then have some slightly lesser known gems to enjoy as well, ranging from the many museums and galleries dotted about the city, to its collection of legendary bridges and neighbourhoods, which all offer a perfect cultural stop and photo opportunity.

With countless 5-star hotels, designer stores, gourmet restaurants, and legendary sites, New York City is the perfect place to combine style, relaxation, and tourism in a single destination.

The Plaza is a legendary, 5-star hotel, situated on the southern edge of Central Park. The amazing views of the park on offer from both the communal areas, as well as many of the rooms, plus its location at the heart of Manhattan, make it the epitome of both comfort and convenience.

All of the exquisitely designed rooms are spacious and boast a range of amenities like iPads, flat screen TVs, rain showers, 24-karat gold plated fixtures, and Wi-Fi that is available throughout the hotel. This will ensure you remain entertained and connected for the duration of your stay.

The Plaza also features a collection of its own shops, restaurants, and bars, ensuring you never need for anything during your visit. There is even a gym, spa, and salon, so you have options whether you want to work out or be relaxed and pampered.

Film buffs will even enjoy the fact that The Plaza has been used as a shooting location in some major Hollywood films, such as the iconic Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.

With at least 7 hours driving on a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston, it is important to make plenty of stops along the way, to break up the driving and truly make the most of this beautiful, historic part of the country.

While the full range of attractions on offer is far too great to count, we will now take a look at what we feel are the top attractions on a road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston, to help you plan your perfect travel itinerary and truly get the most out of your trip.

Baltimore is the most populous city in Maryland, as well as the largest independent city in the entire United States. One of the nation’s most historically important transport hubs, The Port Of Baltimore is perhaps the first stop those interested in the city’s history should make.

Founded in 1706, it was essential for importing goods from Europe to the Americas in the early years of the U.S. and is still the country’s largest port specialising in passenger and cargo facilities. If that isn’t enough, you also have a number of other historic locations to explore.

There is the eastern terminus of the Baltimore And Ohio Railroad, the oldest in the country, having opened in 1830.

Then there is the location where “The Star-Spangled Banner” was written and a number of locations where important events during the Civil and Revolutionary wars took place.

Susquehanna State Park is set on the west bank of the longest river in the eastern United States, the Susquehanna River, which flows for 444 miles (715 kilometres), from Cooperstown, New York, to Havre De Grace, Maryland.

Throughout the park are trails, which provide breathtaking views of the river and the valleys that surround it. It is an incredibly popular destination for a host of activities, including biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, anSusd horse riding.

Susquehanna State Park even boasts a collection of historic sites as well.

The Rock Run Grist Mill and Carter-Archer Mansion are among the most historically important sites in the region for milling. Then there is the Steppingstone Museum, which features an incredible range of historic arts and crafts from the area.

Delaware’s largest, most populous city, Wilmington was settled in 1638 on the site of the former Fort Christina, the oldest Swedish settlement in the U.S. Attractions like the Old Swedes Church offer an insight into this period unlike anything else you will find in America.

Wilmington is also a city synonymous with one of America’s richest families, the Du Pont Family.

Having risen to prominence in the 1700s, sites like the DuPont Building, DuPont Gunpowder Works, DuPont Family home, and Hagley Museum contain a range of artefacts, exhibits, and sites which demonstrate the family’s importance and evolution through the ages.

New Jersey’s most populous city, Newark is a part of the New York Metropolitan Area and a major transport hub, boasting air, rail, and sea terminals. It is most commonly visited by those coming to New York City, as there are often much better deals on transport to be had here.

However, while often overlooked, Newark has plenty of historic sites in its own right, as it is one of the oldest cities in the country, having been settled in 1666.

With options like the Cathedral Basilica Of The Sacred Heart, Mount Olive AME Church, Newark Museum Of Art, Jewish Museum Of New Jersey, Justice Sculpture, Branch Brook Park, and Dock Bridge, there are plenty of reasons to stop in Newark for people of all tastes and interests.

Sleepy Hollow is a small town in the Hudson Valley that gained infamy as the main location in the Washington Irving horror novel “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow”. Since then, it has developed a reputation as a popular destination for fans of horror and the supernatural.

Listed among America’s most haunted towns, Sleepy Hollow boasts a collection of creepy attractions dedicated to all things spooky and supernatural.

A great opportunity for fright fans, particularly near Halloween, Washington Irving is even buried here, making it a pilgrimage of sorts for his fans.

Connecticut’s capital city and one of the oldest in the U.S., having been founded in 1635, Hartford is a city centred around history.

Locations like the United States’ oldest public park, public art museum, and continuously published newspaper are ideal for those interested in the growth of the nation. Other popular attractions in Hartford include the Connecticut State Capitol building.

Designed in a combination of Eastlake Movement, Renaissance Revival, and Victorian Gothic styles, and boasting a gold domed spire, it was built in the 1870s and is among of the most iconic capitols in the U.S.

You even have the Mark Twain House; a museum dedicated to the legendary writer’s life and works. Set in the house where he wrote many of his famous pieces, it is any literary fan’s dream destination.

A road trip from Washington D.C. to Boston is a fabulous journey across the north-eastern corner of the United States. With its historic towns and stunning landscapes, it is a dream trip for anyone interested in American history or nature.

You should now have a good idea of everything you will see along the way, from amazing attractions to places to make a longer stop. This should allow you to plan the perfect travel itinerary to ensure your own trip truly is the journey of your dreams.

All you have left is to plan when to take your trip and how long you are going to spend making it. That way, you can start getting everything booked and begin looking forward to experiencing everything you have read about for yourself, as soon as possible.