Maine to Virginia

Though I have not taken the RV that far I have driven up to New England a lot. I took I81 to I88 to US4 to I91 to US2 and shot across NH, VT to ME. Except for I81 and around Albany it's a very scenic drive.

We just returned a week ago, and from Canada came down that route - Bangor to New Hampshire and Vermont via highway 2. We drive a small class C and were not towing but saw plenty who were. It's not a bad road, just a little slow due to passing through small towns.

Didn't have a lot of time, but just hit a few highlights. There's obviously a summer's worth of things to do in that area. There are hiking trails, rivers and lakes virtually everywhere.

We stayed in Tarry-ho RV park by a river in Twin Mountain, NH three nights. Nice friendly folks, great internet, no laundry facilities though. Ideal location to take the cogwheel railway up Mount Washington, which we enjoyed a lot. Saw plenty of hikers, either round trip or riding one-way and hiking the other. Bring warm clothes if you go up there.

Had lunch at the beautiful, historic Mt. Washington hotel near there in Bretton Woods. The next day we drove the Kanc highway to Franconia, but it was too foggy to see much. The state park and national forest have plenty of hiking trails. Enjoyed lunch at the funky Cabin Fever restaurant in the town of Bartlett.

Then headed to Vermont on 2, stopped at the Cabot Cheese Factory (interesting tour, cheese tasting) and Ben & Jerry's (packed, but kind of fun.) Down to the Woodstock Quechee area.

We stayed there at the Quechee KOA two nights and would highly recommend it. (I'm no KOA cheerleader but this was probably the best I've been to - great location, property, and customer service.)

While there, we drove on highway 4 through Woodstock to Plymouth to visit the Calvin Coolidge historical site, went up a gravel road to Sugarbush Farms to taste and buy maple syrup (lovely family farm, very simple, welcoming, and not highly commercialized.) Walked above the Quechee Gorge, took photos of the covered bridge, and stopped into the Simon Pierce glass and pottery shop/restaurant in the old mill.

From there we headed home. Would like to go back to Vermont and spend more time.

I posted reviews of the campgrounds on RV Park Reviews.com.

Thanks NCwriter for those tips. I was a little worried about route 2 looking at the map. Glad to hear it is OK as it is the most direct route from Bangor to that area of NH. Will check out those 2 campgrounds-thanks for the tip. Can't wait to get some real maple syrup! I used to go to Newfound lake as a child every summer. Great memories and love NH. We have never spent much time in Vermont so are looking forward to doing that. I use RV park reviews as well and have found them to be very helpful.

We spend the Summers in the Adirondacks and did a loop through New England a couple of years ago. This is the route we traveled and campgrounds we visited. Route 4 was an easy run and very scenic. So much to see and do - it's a long list - but we definitely would suggest visiting the Vermont Country Store and Ben and Jerry's home plant in Vermont and Lake George in NY State. It's all fun, Jack & Niki (http://www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/orangedot.htm)

There lots and lots of opportunities for hiking in the areas you're talking about. (Quite a few for paddling, as well, of course.)

If you have some time, making a trip along the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains of New Hampshire is good for a day or possibly two. There are a number of pull-offs with hikes varying from a brief walk to several miles. (Sabbaday Falls is a very nice and very short one). Most of the pull-offs are suitable for an RV, but a handful (all clearly signed) are not. The road itself is fine for any RV.

There are several Vermont state parks grouped around the Groton State Forest, which are interconnected by a nice network of hiking trails, generally not overly strenuous. Further west, Mt Mansfield and Camel's Hump, among other mountains, have a number of trails up and down and fabulous views from the top if the weather is cooperative. If tackling Mt Mansfield, do not attempt to take your RV through Smuggler's Notch. It's a really neat road, but very tight and twisty between rocks at the top and most years a few semi trucks (which are banned with good reason) or RVs (which are not technically banned, but still must obey the laws physics) get physically stuck there.

If you have time, spending a day or week or two in the Adirondacks would be very appealing. There are some very pretty roads and hikes and lakes there.