Okay, folks! It’s time to grab your friends, get some snacks, and hop in the car. Forget whatever it is you think you need to do and, instead, enjoy the best weekend road trips in New Hampshire you can possibly take. Right now, we’re giving you a list of some of our favorites, which means you can choose the one that works best for you. Whether you love the state’s coast, delicious treats, or even castles, there’s something for you to explore by car here in the Granite State, so let’s hit the road!

1. The Delicious, Delectable Donut Road Trip
Bill M/TripAdvisor
There's no bigger purpose to this trip than donuts. And what other purpose do you need? Check out some of the best spots in the state to satisfy that donut sweet tooth on this fun trip. It takes about 5 hours, which will let you stop, snack and digest along the way. Find out more here.
2. New Hampshire 153
Doug Kerr/Flickr
This this quintessential New England road trip is one of the best for doing in a day - it's just 36 miles. But, don't worry! This is 36 miles of some of the best scenery in the state. You'll be in the car for about an hour as you head from Sanbornville to Conway. Factor in stops at The New Hampshire Farm Museum and two wildlife Sanctuaries along the way. If you want more beauty continue on the road west to join the Kancamagus Highway. Find out more here
3. The Small Towns Road Trip
Eric Fredericks/Flickr
This one feels so very New Hampshire! Visit some of the towns you might miss or drive right by with this trip that takes you right through the center of town. Enjoy local food and attractions without having to plan everything yourself. This will definitely take you an entire day - the driving time along is about 6 hours - but it's worth it. In fact, you might want to make a weekend of it and consider staying overnight. Learn more about it here.
4. Three Rivers Scenic Drive
Doug Kerr/Flickr
This is another of the road trips that exists simply for the sake of the journy. the 70-mile trip on Three Rivers Scenic Drive, or New Hampshire Highway 16, heads through the White Mountains and will take you about an hour and a half from start to finish. You'll start in Glen and head towards Wentworth Location, but it's great going in either direction. This trip also brings you to the Mount Washington Auto Road if you choose. Find out more here
5. The Ultimate New Hampshire Waterfall Road Trip
Royston Kane/Flickr
You know how much we love a good waterfall around here, so we couldn't resist sending you on one of our favorite road trips of all time! We like to think we invented this route that will take you to spots including Arathusa Falls, Diana's Baths and Glen Ellis Falls. For the full route with directions, click here.

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6. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway
Christopher Chan/Flickr
To account for the fact that we're pretty sure you're going to want to enjoy the Kanc, here's what you need to know. This road is the highest in the northeast which means the views are second-to-none. You'll be in the car for about 35 miles along New Hampshire Highway 112, enjoying the windiest roads in the area! It should take about an hour, but add in some time if you want to hike through parts of the White Mountain National Forest. Read more about this intriguing scenic drive here.
7. The Vintage Store Road Trip
Potato Barn Antiques/Facebook
Relive the good ol' days by taking this trip to 8 of the best vintage and antique shops in the state. Find out what you can get and where to go by checking out the article here.
8. The Spooky Places of New Hampshire Road Trip
Derek D/Flickr
It might not be Halloween, but if you love a little bit of spine tingling spooky stuff you'll want to take this trip. It will take about 4 hours, which means you'll still have plenty of time to go home and watch cartoons to undo some of the scare you'll get while on the road. Find out more about where you'll go by clicking here.
9. The New Hampshire Beaches Road Trip
Lauren L/TripAdvisor
This one is definitely best in the warmer months, but there's no reason you can't do it now and explore a part of the state that you might just have all to yourself. Because the coast is teensy, this trip is only about 40 minutes, but if you stop along the way for photos and food it might just take you all day! For the full route with directions click here.
10. The Amazing Taco Trail
hollybelle210/TripAdvisor
Is there any better way to spend a day than by checking out some of the best taco spots in any state? Is there any better state for it than New Hampshire? Okay, maybe don't answer that. But, we DO have some gems and this trip will take you straight to 7 of them! For the full route with directions click here.

Another fun weekend activity is a trip to this treetop walk in Bretton Woods. Have you done it? Let us know about your experience! We love to hear from you. Let us know what your ideas are for your next New Hampshire road trip!

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More to Explore

Weekend Road Trips in New Hampshire

Tori Jane | September 13, 2021

What can I do for quick road trips in New Hampshire? 

New Hampshire is a scenic state with plenty to see and what better way to do so than by taking a nice, quick road trip to see some sights? Some of our favorite fast-n-easy road trips in New Hampshire include taking a drive along the beautiful Connecticut River Scenic Byway, which stretches 133 miles and features incredible river views and some interesting state historic sites. Another quick road trip we love is a trip along the Three Rivers Scenic Drive, which treats you to impeccable views of – you guessed it – three rivers: the Peabody, the Ellis, and the Androscoggin. You could also make a road trip out of exploring some of New Hampshire’s most breathtaking beaches. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination on this one!  

What are some of the best things to do in New Hampshire? 

People may not think “New Hampshire” right away if they’re asked about wonderful destinations in the United States, but we think they ought to. Some of the best, top-rated attractions in the state include beautiful Mount Washington, which features one of the most incredible waterfalls in the entire region, and the White Mountain National Forest is another amazing, must-do thing in this state. Other amazing, must-do types of things in New Hampshire are any of the incredible scenic byways weaving throughout the state, like The Seacoast Byway or The Northern Wilds. For more of our favorite scenic New Hampshire drives, check this article out! You’ll want to hop in the car and go straight away.  

What are the must-visit attractions in New Hampshire? 

Like anywhere else, there are certain attractions in New Hampshire that are part of the must-do, add-to-the-bucket list category. There are an incredible 93 state parks scattered all over, each of which comes with its own list of reasons to check it out. There is, however, just one national park site in the state, and we definitely recommend a visit to that one, too – once you’re done with all those state parks, anyway! You’ll want to hike the mountains up here, like Mount Monadnock, which is the second-most hiked mountain in the world. You’ll also want to see scenery along the Mount Washington Auto Road, which is likely to take your breath away. Go on and get outside – you're going to love this beautiful state!  

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