Finalized itinerary

Question

Hello!

I am looking for some guidance to nail down our itinerary, there is a lot of info out there my head is spinning. I will be landing in Boston early in the morning next week, I have a day and a half before we will need to be in Portsmouth. My question is where should I go? We are looking for a route or towns to see some peak foliage that makes sense from Boston to that area. I keep seeing recommendations of White Mountains or Kancamagus. Would this make sense? I guess I am asking for the best loop we can do.

Thank you so much for help!

Answer

Short answer: Yes — the White Mountains / Kancamagus area is one of the best choices if your primary goal is peak foliage and scenic driving, and you *can* make it work in a day-and-a-half from Boston en route to Portsmouth. The Kancamagus is a 35-mile national scenic byway through the White Mountains and is consistently recommended as one of New England’s top leaf-peeping drives.

Below I give two practical route options (one focused on the White Mountains / Kancamagus; one a shorter coastal + hill loop if you prefer less driving). Each option includes realistic driving times, suggested stops, and a simple schedule you can do in the time you described (arriving Boston early morning, having ~1½ days before you must be in Portsmouth).

Important timing note: Boston → Portsmouth is a short drive (~1–1.5 hours), so you’ll easily end your loop in Portsmouth the evening before your commitment. Plan your outbound leg so you’re not racing back through rush hour.

Option A — Classic White Mountains + Kancamagus loop (best foliage payoff)

Why: maximum foliage, iconic overlooks, short hikes and waterfalls, great photo stops. This is the “go big” option if you want classic White Mountains views.
- Day 1 (leave Boston early, ~7:00–8:00am): Drive I-93 N to Lincoln / Franconia Notch area (driving time ~2–2.5 hours to Lincoln). Quick stops: Franconia Notch viewpoints (Flume Gorge / Lafayette views) if you want a short walk. Continue to Lincoln for lunch.
- Afternoon: Take the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) eastbound — allow 2–3 hours with stops. Top pull-offs: Lower Falls / Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge, Albany Covered Bridge, Pemigewasset Overlook. Leave time to wander short trails and take photos. The full 35-mile Kancamagus is best enjoyed slowly.
- Evening (overnight): Stay in Conway or North Conway (good dinner options and inns).
- Day 2 (half day): If you have the morning, explore North Conway, take a short scenic railroad ride or a quick tram/gondola (Cranmore / Loon / Mount Washington area options), then drive south to Portsmouth. The drive from Conway/Lincoln area down to Portsmouth takes roughly 2–2.5 hours depending on route and traffic — you’ll have plenty of time to get into Portsmouth by late afternoon/evening.
What you’ll see: sweeping mountain vistas, classic covered bridges, waterfall stops and vibrant mixed-hardwood forests. This option is the most “New England” foliage experience.
Option B — Coastal + inland hill loop (shorter driving, easy pace)

Why: less time on the highway, charming coastal towns, and still good color if you prefer a more relaxed route and want to spend time near the sea on Day 1.
- Day 1 (leave Boston early): Head north along the coast — Salem / Rockport for a morning stroll (harbor, galleries, seafood lunch). Then head inland via scenic Route 1A/1 up toward Ipswich and the Crane Estate if you like marsh/coastal views.
- Afternoon: Continue north into southern New Hampshire hills (e.g., Exeter/Stratham area) or head slightly west toward the Merrimack River valley (small hills with good colors). This is not the White Mountains, so the foliage will be different (coastal marsh, salt-meadow color + smaller hills). End Day 1 in Portsmouth (easy) or stay in a nearby B&B so you’re already where you need to be.
- Day 2 (half day): Explore Portsmouth in the morning (Strawbery Banke, waterfront, brunch), then continue your trip wherever you need to be next.
What you’ll see: classic New England coastal towns, harbor views, saltmarsh color and smaller inland hills — less dramatic than Kancamagus but a very pleasant, low-stress choice.

Quick pros/cons summary

Kancamagus / White Mountains (Option A): Pros — spectacular mountain vistas and classic fall color; lots of pull-offs and short hikes. Cons — more driving (2–3 hours north from Boston), can be busy at peak weekends, requires an overnight near Conway/Lincoln.
Coastal + inland (Option B): Pros — less driving, easy to be in Portsmouth quickly, charming towns and seafood. Cons — foliage less dramatic than White Mountains; air temperature/conditions can be different.

Timing & logistics tips

Leave Boston early (6:30–8:00am) to maximize midday light on the Kancamagus and to avoid I-93 mid-morning traffic.
Allow half a day for the Kancamagus (2–4 hours driving with stops); don’t try to blast through it — the views are in the pull-offs.
Book lodging in Conway/North Conway or Lincoln for Option A — spaces fill quickly during peak foliage. For Option B you can easily stay in Portsmouth or nearby.
Check local traffic/road conditions and sunrise/sunset times. If you’re traveling at true foliage peak, parking at popular stops can be slow — plan an extra 30–60 minutes at the busiest viewpoints.

Suggested overnight itinerary (concise)

Day 0 (arrive Boston early morning) → Drive to Lincoln/Franconia Notch → Lunch in Lincoln → Kancamagus scenic drive → Overnight in North Conway / Conway.
Day 1 (half day) → Morning in North Conway (short hike or scenic railroad) → Drive to Portsmouth (arrive afternoon/evening) → Done.