I am agree with Ackislander. Last October we spent 10 days in Northern Vermont. We stayed in Smugglers Notch. I would recommend the resort but I believe that they only rent by the week. Of all the driving we did I do not remember even going through Woodstock. Lots to see and do in the Middlebury/Stowe area. Do not miss a drive up Smugglers Notch Road (VT 108) between Stowe and Smugglers Notch. The most beautiful road although a bit scary at times as it is very narrow. Lake Champlain is beautiful. Burlington is very active and could also be a great homebase.

The drive to Montreal from Smugglers Notch was very easy and beautiful.

If you put your destinations into google maps, you will see that you have two choices.

The better route is US 2, better because it goes through charming Bethel, along the Presidential Range of the White Mountains (snow-capped if you are lucky) and across VT on VT 15, which is pretty scenic.

Both routes take between 6 and 7 hours, so it is a long, full day of driving.

janie makes a good point about staying in a small town. If you want to dine late or enjoy a late coffee/drinks, you might not find anything open in small towns. I agree that Woodstock is "too perfect". It really depends on what you want to see. Woodstock is so popular with tourists, I think that's all there is in town. I'm pretty sure we were the only ones driving an old pickup truck. I like the areas where instead of out-of-staters, you might see a 4-H kid leading a pair of oxen down the road although I have to admit that after visiting a perennial nursery somewhere in the area and then taking another back road to Woodstock for lunch, we passed a lovely farm where horses were being trained for dressage events. I hope in all the driving, you encounter some of the New England scenes that make your trip worthwhile!

Bookmarking

Thank you all for the great info! We finally leave on Friday and after a few days in Maine, we'll be heading into Vermont before going to Montreal. I very much appreciate the route info and I'm getting my maps all planned and printed out today! Again, thanks so much for all the great advice! Can't wait to escape this southern California heat!

Don't forget to report back ASAP ... Planning my trip for next year as I type. Have a good time and safe driving.

Schnauzer, we ended up staying in Stowe. I don't know why I fret over these little details, it seems ANY of the towns would have been perfect, lol. Vermont was beautiful! The whole trip was lovely! We really enjoyed the winding road up through Smugglers Notch Road (VT 108). GREAT advice Ackislander!

Montreal was fun, rode the bixi bikes all over. But I really, really enjoyed Bar Harbor, Maine. We rented an old house with all its funky charm right on the water. There were 8 of us, and when we bought our lobsters, everyone got the normal one pounders, but not me...I got the monster 5 pounder and I ate it all!!! When in Maine....;)