Oct 2 Foliage tour of NEK

[tropicalstorm]

Hi everyone!

I came across this forum a few weeks ago while planning our Vermont trip and I've been amazed at the warmth and knowledge of people here. My wife and I will be driving from Boston to Stowe (accommodation at Stowehof Inn) on Oct 1 and returning on Oct 3. We plan to visit Waterbury, Montpelier and Burlington on Oct 1 and on Oct 3 before we leave, so the only time left for our foliage tour is on Oct 2.

We have a rough idea of where we intend to drive on Oct 2 and would really appreciate any suggestions or comments that people here might have (about foliage, feasibility, etc).

Stowe to Jeffersonville: Rt 108
Jeffersonville to Montgomery Center: Rt 109 and 118
Montgomery Center to Irasburg through Lowell: Rt 58 (Hazen's Notch)
Irasburg to Newport: Rt 14 / Rt 5
Newport to Lyndonville through Westmore: Rt 105 / Rt 5A
Lyndonville to St Johnsbury: Rt 5
St Johnsbury to Morrisville through Hardwick: Rt 2 / Rt 15
Morrisville to Stowe: Rt 100

I've plotted the route out on Google Maps and it's a 165 mile route which is supposed to take slightly more than 4 hours. We're planning for this to take the whole day as we'll be stopping along the way for breaks, food and photo-taking.

Thanks very much in advance! We're really looking forward to the foliage.

[pwt54]

It's a good drive. I'm not that fond of the Irasburg to Newport section. It does have color, but it's scattered. I prefer to drive route 58 all the way to route 5A in Westmore.
Eating places will be scarce, but when you reach route 100 in Lowell and it's near lunchtime. turn left and drive route 100 north a coupl of miles and you will see "Cajun's" on the left. Locals love the place.

[tropicalstorm]

Thanks!

How difficult/dangerous is it to drive through Smuggler's Notch? I'm a bit concerned as we have very little driving experience on small country roads, and we're planning to drive that road in the morning

[tropicalstorm]

Thanks Phil and Carol! It's our first fall in New England so we're really looking forward to the foliage!