Scenic Drives in Rhode Island
Routes
19
Avg Distance
48 mi
Avg Drive
1h 9m
Destinations
16
Rhode Island's scenic drives offer a compact exploration of varied landscapes, with 26 routes averaging 43.9 miles and about an hour of driving. You'll find routes with drive scores as high as 9, navigating gently rolling terrain and reaching elevations up to 1508 ft. The state boasts excellent EV coverage on many routes, with up to 13 DC fast chargers available. These drives are perfect for experiencing the state's natural beauty without extensive time commitments.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.43/gal
Diesel: $6.18/gal
Typical trip cost
$2–$23
One-way, ~48 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~17 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-12
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.
| 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 | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | — |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | 0.2 |
| Nov | 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
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Woonsocket, RI → Williamstown, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
This longer route stands out with a high drive score of 9 and access to parks. Its gently rolling terrain reaches 1508 ft, offering an elevated perspective across the state and into Massachusetts, supported by excellent EV charging infrastructure with 10 DC fast chargers.
Editor's pick
Woonsocket, RI → New Shoreham, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts → Narragansett
Achieving a drive score of 9, this trip connects Woonsocket to the island of New Shoreham. With mostly flat terrain and a modest elevation of 294 ft, it features excellent EV coverage and the highest count of DC fast chargers at 13, making it a convenient coastal exploration.
Editor's pick
Westerly, RI → Woonsocket, RI
This option provides a solid drive score of 8, covering mostly flat terrain across Rhode Island. While EV charger data isn't specified for this route, it's a straightforward connection with park access, ideal for a shorter, efficient drive.
Woonsocket, RI → Bradford, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts
New Shoreham, RI → Pawtucket, RI
Through: Massachusetts
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
Woonsocket, RI → Narragansett, RI
Through: Boston Massachusetts
Cumberland, RI → Narragansett, RI
Through: Warwick
Smithfield, RI → Middletown, RI
Through: Newport
Westerly, RI → East Providence, RI
Through: Cape Cod
Foster, RI → Kingston, RI
Smithfield, RI → Narragansett Pier, RI
North Kingstown, RI → Cumberland Hill, RI
Through: Cumberland
Bristol, RI → Exeter, RI
Through: Wickford
Warwick, RI → Pascoag, RI
Through: Smithfield
West Warwick, RI → Nooseneck, RI
Through: New York → Greenwich