The route runs Woodstock to Conway: north through Vermont to Waterbury and Stowe, east into New Hampshire toward Franconia, south through the Notch to Lincoln, then the Kancamagus Highway to Conway. About 201 miles, roughly five hours of model-estimated driving before stops and delays.
Allow time beyond the driving estimates for meals, walks and viewpoints. The route starts in Woodstock and ends in Conway; it does not include travel from home or an airport.
The drive, leg by leg
| Leg | Distance | Non-stop driving time | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock → Waterbury | 64 miles | 1h30 | VT 12, VT 107, I-89 |
| Waterbury → Stowe village | 10 miles | 20 min | VT 100 |
| Stowe → Franconia | 74 miles | 1h40 | VT 100/15/15A, US 2, I-91, I-93 |
| Franconia → Lincoln | 18 miles | 25 min | I-93 through the Notch |
| Lincoln → Conway village | 36 miles | 1h05 | NH 112 |
These are rounded estimates from OSRM's routing engine, and they are pure moving time. They exclude stops, traffic, construction, weather, road closures and time spent circling for parking. Getting yourself to Woodstock and getting home from Conway are separate legs on top of the 201 miles. Treat the numbers as a planning floor, not an arrival time.
Overnight areas that sit naturally on the line: Woodstock/Quechee at the start, Waterbury/Stowe in the middle, Lincoln/Franconia once you're in New Hampshire, and Conway at the end. That's route position only — we haven't checked rooms, rates or availability in any of them.
4 stops along the route
In Stowe village, Vermont's tourism office describes a walkable downtown and a five-mile paved recreation path, though not every segment or parking area is guaranteed open on the day you show up.
On the Waterbury–Stowe leg, Cold Hollow Cider Mill sits at 3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road in Waterbury Center and lists daily hours of 8am to 6pm, closed on named major holidays. Check café hours separately; the published store hours do not guarantee a cider-pressing demonstration at your arrival time.
Franconia Notch State Park is an eight-mile corridor that I-93 runs straight through, so the road itself forms part of the scenic drive. Use designated parking if you stop. Off-season services and gates vary, and the Cannon tram has been closed for replacement since May 2026. A hike or paid attraction is optional; check the specific site's access and fees before adding one.
The Kancamagus is the last leg and the one to prep for. The town of Lincoln puts the scenic section at 34.5 miles with viewpoints and Rocky Gorge along it, and is blunt that there is no gas and no services anywhere on the route. Fill up and grab food in Lincoln before you start. Pick whichever designated stops are open and follow posted conditions and fees when you get there.
The Lake Willoughby question
Lake Willoughby changes the transfer between Stowe and Franconia. Swapping the direct Stowe–Franconia run for a Stowe–Westmore–Franconia routing turns 74 miles into 108: roughly 34 extra miles and about an hour of additional driving before you've spent a single minute at the lake.
If that's worth it to you, Willoughby State Forest is the page to check for current access; the mapped approach uses Route 5A. Westmore is just the reference point at the north end, not a promise of a parking spot at any particular beach. Think of it as a different way to get to New Hampshire, not a side trip you tack on and then backtrack from.
Where the color actually is
As of September 21, the newest Vermont foliage report on display is still the one dated September 16, 2026: the Northeast Kingdom has the most color, with the Upper Green Mountains and Capital region just starting. New Hampshire's foliage page carries no date on its report; read on September 21, it listed the White Mountains at 10% and the Great North Woods at 10–15%, mostly green. Vermont publishes weekly reports; New Hampshire advertises Tuesday and Friday updates. Check both again before you commit.
Creators and sources
The route leads came from three Instagram creators — we haven't driven these roads ourselves. @laxtoluxury for the Woodstock–Stowe–Kancamagus spine, @followmeawaytravel for Cold Hollow, Lake Willoughby and the notches, and @nationalparksguide for the wider New England fall-drive geography. Driving estimates come from the routing engine; visitor information and foliage reports come from the linked operators and public agencies.
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