Example Itinerary: 18 day roundtrip New England

New England is the birthplace of modern-day America. This is where pilgrims once landed in Plymouth to settle. Why they found this worth staying is a great quest to explore by RV. Feel the freedom to go wherever you want, be at one with nature, visit quaint American towns and enjoy local hospitality.

For this unforgettable RV trip, fly to Boston in the state of Massachusetts. This can also be done directly with JetBlue from 2023, but the option with a stopover in Iceland with Icelandair is also a good affordable option. This sample itinerary covers 18 days, but you can make the trip as long or short as you like. The route is 1800 kilometres, so it also depends on how long you want to drive per day.

Day 1 and 2: Boston

Flying to Boston means taking the shortest transatlantic flight from Europe to the US. This itinerary only takes two days in Boston, but the city is fun enough to add some more days here. You can get to the city very easily from the airport. You can recover first and then pick up your RV after a visit to the city. What can you do in Boston? There is a lot to do in terms of music and culture. For example, attend a concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Or pay a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. One of the largest art museums in the world, with, for example, the largest Monet collection outside Paris.

Prefer doing outdoor activities or something active? Go on a whale-watching excursion. Off the coast lies the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. This natural embankment on the seabed makes it a sort of buffet for whales, dolphins and seabirds.

On land, there is also plenty to do, for example the Freedom Trail, which also runs along the harbour. But also shopping, a visit to Cambridge University or a fun ride with Duck Tours (vehicle that can go by land and by water).

Day 3 and 4: Boston – Cape Cod | 115 km | approx. 1,5 hours

This day you will collect your RV from Cruise America. After a clear instruction and explanation, you are ready to hit the road. After the hustle and bustle of the city, you will now experience a unique piece of nature. Cape Cod is also called the Florida of the North. A lovely place to spend the summer, without the hassle of the South. Provincetown is a must-visit; if you didn't succeed in Boston, you can also join various whale-watching day trips from here. Hyannis is home to the JFK museum, and from Falmouth you can visit one of the islands. The paradisiacal Martha's Vineyard is a good addition to the trip. Did you know that the film Jaws was shot in drop Edgartown? Dinner tip for Cape Cod: West Yarmouth, Aiden (is in the best western hotel) - for delicious Indian food.

Day 5 and 6: Cape Cod – Newport Rhode Island | 123 km | approx. 1,5 hours

We continue towards Rhode Island - the smallest US state, where we spend the night in Newport - glitz & glamour. This city is best known for its many Gilded Age mansions. Formerly serving as holiday homes, most have been converted into museums, where you step back in time. Rhode Island has more than 400 miles of coastline and a beautiful Ocean front Cliff Walk. If you want to enjoy fresh seafood anywhere, it's here! You can spend a day up and down to Providence, where there is an abundance of art, think murals, sculptures and architcture from the Victorian era. Did you know that sailing is also a big part of the cultural heritage here. Moreover, there is a very fun and interactive sailing museum in Newport - great for families.

Day 7: Newport – New Haven | 163 km | approx. 2 hours

From Newport, we drive south-west to the next state on this road trip Connecticut, which borders New York, with the first stop being the small port town of Mystic. Like almost every village in New England, Mystic has a nice downtown area with shopping and eateries, the most popular attraction: Mystic Seaport Museum & Aquarium.

From Mystic, it takes an hour to drive to New Haven. Here you will find Yale University. Walk around the campus and feel yourself getting smarter. This city is also known for its pizza. A local classic, bar restaurant: mashed potato pizza. Sally's Apizza is also a good choice. Pizzas have become a staple in New Haven. The stretch of water between Connecticut and Long Island, NY is called Long Island Sound where you can find beautiful beaches and do various water activities.

Day 8: New Haven – Springfield | 103 km | approx. 1 hour

Before we drive back into Massachusetts, another great stop in Connecticut is Litchfield, a hidden gem. You have an abundance of outdoor opportunities here in the Litchfield Hills region. As we drive back into Massachusetts, you can choose to stay in the big city of Springfield or spend the night in the middle of the Berkshires in charming Stockbridge, Lenox or Pittsfield.

Day 9 and 10: Springfield – Montpellier | 279 km | approx. 3 hours

Today we drive a somewhat longer distance, through beautiful countryside. Our destination is Montpellier, the USA's smallest capital with a population of 8000. Montpelier has a charming and historic center. Visit the Vermont State House, one of the oldest State Capitols in the USA, and explore the boutiques, cafes and restaurants in the area. Vermont's largest city, Burlington is about a 40-minute drive from Montpelier, against the New York State border and on the shores of Lake Champlain, one of North America's largest freshwater lakes. Hotel Vermont is run by a Dutch owner and of course has a bike rental. This would also be a good stop in this itinerary. It has a lively atmosphere with nice shops, restaurants and art galleries. Visit Church Street Marketplace, a car-free street full of boutiques and eateries. The ECHO Leahy Centre for Lake Champlain is also a popular attraction, with educational exhibits on the local ecosystem. And the Ben & Jerrys ice cream factory is a 15-minute drive from Montpelier in Waterbury. You can take a guided tour where you can see the production process and, of course, taste ice cream.

Another fun stop is Stowe: Stowe is a well-known ski resort and a charming mountain town. In the winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort. In the summer, there are numerous hiking trails to explore the beautiful surroundings, such as the popular hike to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest mountain. Also located here is Trapp Family Lodge, yes from the real von Trapp family of the Sound of Music. One of the family members still runs this lodge. Or if the kids are looking for entertainment, visit Pumphouse Waterpark, an Indoor Waterpark at the Jay Peak Resort. With slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a climbing wall, this water park offers fun for the whole family, regardless of the season.

Day 11 and 12: Montpellier – White Mountains | 131 km | approx. 2 hours

From Vermont, we drive east to White Mountains in New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest has the highest peaks in the Northeast and wildlife abounds here. You might spot a moose, for instance! You can choose to stay in the nature reserve or in one of the nearby towns, a good suggestion in the city of Lincoln.

From Lincoln runs one of the most scenic routes in the US, the Kancamagus Highway. Moreover, this route takes you along 'the fume', a natural gorge with wooden walkways and waterfalls. The route runs as far as Conway, which is convenient because you have a premium outlet mall here, and shopping in New Hampshire is tax-free.

Day 13 and 14: White Mountains | 375 kilometer | approx. 4,5 hours

The route itself is already so beautiful that you hardly notice you are covering a considerable distance today. We head towards Bar Harbor. A quaint coastal town that is the gateway to Acadia National Park. Maine is the largest state in the New England region and larger than all the other five states combined. The state is over twice the size of the Netherlands, with only 1.4 million inhabitants. From Bar Harbor, you can easily visit Acadia National Park. You'll find almost everything here: fjords, mountains, lakes forests, flowers. You can do some great hiking and picnics. The Beehive Hike is simply beautiful.

Day 15: Bar Harbor - Portland/Maine | 282 km | approx. 3,5 hours

After visiting Acadia NP, we drive along Highway 1, towards the town of Portland. This route runs along the Maine coast (the entire coast is a whopping 3500 miles) and passes atmospheric villages. For a game of "camper bingo" look for lighthouses. There are no fewer than 65 of them, in all colours and sizes. In Portland, you can enjoy the world-famous Maine Lobster. Further explore the vibrant city of Portland, with its historic Old Port district, picturesque harbour, and delicious seafood. Visit the Portland Head Light, an iconic lighthouse, explore the art galleries, enjoy delicious food in the restaurants and take a stroll along the Waterfront Promenade.

Day 16: Portland – Boston | 172 km | approx. 2 hours

Before heading back to Boston, you will drive through northern Massachusetts.  It is worth stopping in Kennebunkport - a shipbuilding and trading town along the coast - and Salem - also called the pirate town and where you can visit the witch museum.

Day 17: Boston – Amsterdam (arrival on day 18)

After returning the RV, it's time to head back to the airport to look back at this wonderful trip through no fewer than six states, the New England region.