Probably somewhere around Chelmsford, MA. It's just over halfway, and you won't have problem with traffic heading north from there on I-295/95 next morning. There are quite a few hotels there.

There is so much more to do on a campus visit than just taking the tour. Especially at a very selective school, get to know hte Admissions Office as well as you can -- do an on-campus interview if possible. And your time would be well-spent in hanging around meetig actual students and seeing the campus informally. Talk to as many people as possible. As rkkwan noted, there are plenty of places to stay along the highway about halfway there. Every hotel chain in the universe has a place along Route 95 (known to the locals as Route 128).

New England is very busy in August, I'd book ahead if you're fussy.

Providence, RI might be a good place to stop. It's a lovely place to visit in August...especially if you happen to be there during Waterfire.

And I know you didn't ask for any recommendations for New Haven, but if you have time before the tour, you might consider stopping at Roomba or Pad Thai (both on Chapel Street) for lunch.

The shortest and fastest route is I-91/84/90/495/95. You will not go through Providence, and you will not have to drive Rte 128 (the portion of I-95 around Boston) that's notorious for traffic.

Going that way (91/15/84/90/95) can I just find a clean motel when we get tired rather than making a reservation (late August)? Thanks

Follow rkkwan's directions. You definitely want to avoid 95 until much farther north.

css - There are motels along the way, but they are not as many as in some other areas. I mean, you will not find a motel at every exit. And last minute rate can be high in New England in the summer. I'd book something in advance.

there is a stretch of that drive (91/84/90/495/95) that has nothing along it. i think it is 90/495. it is difficult to find a convenient place to pull over and get something to eat. i'd try to push it and stop up on 95 in new hampshire if you can--i think that is about a 3 hour trip.

The area I first mentioned - Chelmsford, MA - is on I-495 and there are quite a few hotels there. It's also just after half-way. Not too much driving either way. That's why I recommend it. And since it's far away enough from Boston, and not on the main I-95/128 route, they are probably slightly cheaper too.

If you want to stop earlier, then Worcester, MA has some hotels; or even earlier, in Sturbridge, MA right after you get into MA.

And like lolfn says, into NH if you want to drive more the first day. But then you'll almost be in Freeport, ME already.

Just a thought, but many schools here in New England start back at the end of August. I'm not sure what you mean by "late August," but you might hit it right. Rt. 90, by the way, is the Mass Pike, and there are hotels/motels (all chains) as you get closer to Boston. Depending on what day of the week you are driving, I'd head for Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

rkkwan is correct about both the route and the area to stop. There are hotels at exits in Westford, Chelmsford, Lowell, and Tewksbury. They are all different chains. I don't think you will have any problem finding a room. Plenty of local restaurants if you are just looking for a bite to eat. If you would like something a cut above, there are many things available but you would have to venture out a little. If you bother to go to Portsmouth, NH, you might as well just keep going to Freeport.

You are all the best!! Thanks