Everyone loves road trips, especially ones in the warm American summer. The joy of soaking in the sights, bringing your own fluffy pillow and sleeping in the car when you’re not driving, and exploring a destination you’ve never been to are some things that make road trips delightful. The US has countless options to choose from to go on a fun adventure, with the world’s most extensive highway system. For Boston, there are five primary and eight auxiliary interstate highways inside the city that allow quick connections to other nearby, beautiful American cities.
While there is never a shortage of mouthwatering food options, thrilling sporting experiences, and historical places to appreciate in this gem of a city, there are so many cities with such wholesome experiences just waiting to be discovered by your eager heart. Check out our list of the many exciting destinations you can visit on road trips from Boston.
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Starting off, we have a fun trip that balances between distance and places, from Boston to Philadelphia. Along the way, you will be passing through the coastal, eastern side of the states New York, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all within a 400-mile (643-km) trip. This means you get to stop by so many cities of your liking, ranging from the huge, cosmopolitan cities with hypnotizing skylines of New York City, Brooklyn and finally Pennsylvania, to the less crowded and calmer areas, also with so much history, literature and educational prestige such as Newark, Hartford and Princeton. Honestly, it would take months to explore all of them thoroughly. In Philadelphia, you can visit the Independence National Historical Park, home to the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art, or the Eastern State Penitentiary.
2. Baltimore, Maryland
This trip continues the above route from Philadelphia to Baltimore, taking about an additional 50 miles (80 km). Looking at Baltimore alone, there are still so many places to visit, from the National Aquarium to Fort McHenry National Monument, arguably the most profound symbol of American freedom. When a garrison flag was flown over Fort McHenry after victory over the British in a fierce navy battle known as the Battle of Baltimore, this inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem, ‘Defence of Fort M'Henry’, which later became the lyrics to the national anthem of the United States of America, 'The Star-Spangled Banner’. Truly fascinating.
3. Washington D.C.
If you were to travel just a little further down, continuing from the same route you took to Baltimore, you’ll arrive at the capital, Washington D.C., which to no surprise is named after the country’s first president. From the legendary Capitol Building with its epic dome, where the 535 members of Congress (100 from the Senate, 435 from the House of Representatives) form the legislative branch of the United States government, to viewing the residence of the President, namely the White House, to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian Institution Offices, all of which are true gems of American patriotism.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Richmond, Virginia
Traveling even further down from the capital, you will reach the fine city of Richmond, yet another city that exudes American history, with sites such as the Library of Virginia that contains excerpts of petitions of free blacks and slaves, and Hollywood Cemetery, where former presidents James Monroe, John Tyler, Virginian notables and Confederate soldiers are buried. The cemetery overlooks James River, where you can swim in. A recommended place to eat would be Kuba Kuba, a restaurant that serves generous spreads of Cuban cuisines, especially their paella, a rice dish usually cooked with saffron.
Boston Tour Guide
Naim Benmayor
As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this unique perspective has taught me what appeals to people when visiting a new part of the country or a new part of the world. My fluency in English and Turkish, and my advanced skills in Spanish and intermediate skills in French, also help me to service a wider range of tourists and business people.I moved to Boston, Massachusetts several years ago, and I now reside in Brookline. I have three children, so I develop my tours to accommodate families with kids, couples, and individuals who want to visit and learn about the rich history and culture of Boston. As a parent, I know that Boston is a great place for higher education, and I have knowledge of the colleges and universities in the area.I customize tours to suit the needs and preferences of my customers. Whether you want a walking tour, a riding tour, or a little of both, I can create an itinerary that showcases the best of what Boston has to offer.My one day tours are educational and entertaining, and include the history, culture, personalities, architecture and, even the shopping areas of this renowned city. At the end of the tour you will be happy and satisfied when you realize you've seen so much in just a short time.I am here to share my knowledge of Boston, Cambridge and all of New England with you, and help you to enjoy your visit so you can explore the must-see parts of this great city. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you around the city, so please send me a message if you have any questions.Thank you for reading.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
We’ve traveled a long way on this route, but if you want to continue even further, we will arrive at Charlotte in North Carolina. Charlotte is known as the home of NASCAR teams, since a majority of this auto racing sport’s teams are based here or nearby. The NASCAR hall of fame is also situated here, a cool, high-tech museum which honors the sport’s all-time best drivers, crews, owners commentators and contributors.
6. Pittsburgh
Now, we’ll explore other trips along different routes. This one from Boston to Pittsburgh is more scenic, and it passes through less densely populated areas. Your journey offers serene views of greenery in many towns such as Newburgh, which is right next to the famous Hudson Bay, and other towns with beautiful views: Southbridge, Waterbury, Danbury and Mountain Top. When you do get to Pittsburgh, which is about 600 miles (965 km) of a drive inland, you can visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the zoo which has nearly 500 animal species, Andy Warhol Museum, and Point State Park. Pittsburgh is known for its delicious, hearty sandwiches, so you can grab one from contemporary restaurants like Primanti Bros or Burgatory.
7. Columbus, Ohio
Continuing further, we arrive at Columbus, where you can take a walk in the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Easton Town Center or take great pictures at Scioto Mile Promenade. You can stuff yourself with great eats at the North Market Farmer’s Market or appreciate some art at the Columbus Museum of Art. Stand in awe viewing vintage automobiles at the Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum if you’re a petrolhead like me, and my personal favorite, the Center of Science and Industry, which has been providing award-winning and engaging hands-on science experiences for 55 years and counting.
8. Portland, Maine
Wrapping up this list is a short, hundred-mile trip to Portland, Maine. The US has potable tap water, but Maine is known for having the most crystal clear of them all. Portland is like a mini peninsula with the land stretching out a bit. Old Port, which is located near the river, has a bustling gourmet restaurant scene with a mixture of New American and traditional seafood restaurants. It also has a charismatic and chill nightlife, a great place to have a drink at one of the pubs. It wouldn’t be called Portland without ferries that you can take to travel to the nearby islands such as Little Diamond Island Landing and Peaks Island, more places for great pictures near the Casco Bay.
Go on an authentic American adventure
The East Coast is jam-packed with countless unforgettable experiences that cater to anyone’s interests. If you want to embark on this thrilling adventure from Boston, and the time is right, it’s time to buckle up and set sail. Happy traveling!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to