Fall Road Trips in Rhode Island
Routes
14
Avg Distance
56 mi
Avg Drive
1h 26m
Destinations
12
Rhode Island in the fall offers a compact yet varied driving experience, perfect for a weekend escape. With 14 routes averaging 54.7 miles and 83 minutes, you can explore diverse landscapes. The drives here feature gently rolling and flat terrain, with maximum elevations reaching up to 1508 feet, providing opportunities for scenic overlooks. While EV charger counts aren't specified, the accessibility of these routes makes them ideal for leaf-peeping.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.23/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$6–$23
One-way, ~56 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~20 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Rhode Island
Rhode Island peaks at around 84°F in Jul and cools to 38°F / 22°F in Jan. Wettest month is Mar at ~4.9 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38 | 22 | 4 | 10.3 |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 3.4 | 10.5 |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 4.9 | 6.4 |
| Apr | 59 | 40 | 4.3 | 0.6 |
| May | 69 | 49 | 3.4 | — |
| Jun | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | — |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 2.9 | — |
| Aug | 82 | 64 | 3.6 | — |
| Sep peak | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | — |
| Oct peak | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | 0.2 |
| Nov peak | 53 | 36 | 4.3 | 1 |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 4.7 | 7.6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for RI — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
- Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
- Rhode Island routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall Routes
Editor's pick
Woonsocket, RI → Williamstown, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
This longer route boasts a high drive score of 9 and climbs to 1508 feet, offering expansive views as it enters Massachusetts. Its profile is mostly highway, making for efficient travel through the fall colors.
Editor's pick
Woonsocket, RI → New Shoreham, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts → Narragansett
With a drive score of 9, this trip is notable for its significant elevation change to 294 feet and the inclusion of parks. It offers a mix of highway and surface roads for a varied experience within the state.
Editor's pick
Westerly, RI → Woonsocket, RI
This route scores an 8 and covers mostly flat terrain up to 471 feet. It’s a predominantly highway drive, efficiently connecting two points in Rhode Island for a straightforward fall foliage tour.
Woonsocket, RI → Bradford, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts
New Shoreham, RI → Pawtucket, RI
Through: Massachusetts
Pawtucket, RI → New Shoreham, RI
Through: Narragansett
Westerly, RI → Smithfield, RI
Woonsocket, RI → Narragansett Pier, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts
Cumberland, RI → Narragansett Pier, RI
Through: Warwick
Newport, RI → Chepachet, RI
Through: Smithfield
Smithfield, RI → Middletown, RI
Through: Newport
Little Compton, RI → West Warwick, RI
Through: Providence
Tiverton, RI → Coventry, RI
Through: Providence
New Shoreham, RI → Kenyon, RI