In early September my husband and I will drive from DC to Boston as part of our vacation - we've not explored this area before but will have spent the previous week in NYC. Can you advise me how long we should allow and where we should stop on the way?

Heavy traffic all the way from DC to Boston. Give it about 8 hours, or basically all day. Much much faster if you do it in the middle of the night.

Your question is unclear. Are you looking for sightseeing stops along the way or are you just looking for a suggestion for an overnight stop?

BTW, if your trip is basically to see the three cities, NYC, DC and Boston, then don't get a car. Take the train or fly.

You itinerary is puzzling, as NYC is in between DC and Boston but you're doing it first. I suppose this is because of your flight?

As others have said, it's not clear whether you're planning to drive straight through (i.e., the 8-hour version) or whether you're asking about points of interest to stop at during a longer trip. If it's the latter, please give us a few hints about your budget, intersts, and time frame.

You can save at least a half hour by using an EZPass to speed you through toll booths

anonymous, you and others are confused between the title and the body of the post. If you reread the OP, she's driving from DC to Boston (stopping in NYC for a week) and is asking for
place(s) to stop on the NY to Boston part. What we still don't know is whether sightseeing and taking time on this leg is the object, or how to get there asap with maybe one stop.

I do agree with rkkwan though. If you're just looking to see these 3 great cities, avoid renting a car. You won't really save money unless there are a lot of you (and even then, between the cost of gas and parking fees in NYC), it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Yes, I'm confused -- but it still seems to me that the "previous week" in the OP is the week before the DC-Boston jaunt, and that she mentioned it so we wouldn't recommend NYC as a stopping point. Hope she comes back to clarify.

I've reread the what ausgirl asked and don't agree with mclaurie. It seems to me that she says clearly that she will be driving DC to Boston the week following the week she spends in NYC.
I think it's a valid question to raise if this driving trip is necessary, as I agree that a car is not desirable in any of thew three cities and, as a DC area resident, I'm aware that very low air fares are currently available from here to both Boston and NYC. I flew to Boston for $78 round trip myself. But I think we also have to grant the probability that ausgirl has a reason for doing it this way, and also the probability that she is just looking for the best spot to break a fastest-possible trip.

I'm not the one to answer those questions--I flew!

If you pick days and times of driving well - this is an 8 hour drive - plus meal, etc. stops. For me, that is one day - no sightseeing along the way. Agree with others - we need more info - do you want to stop overnight or make it one-day trip.

Get a map - once you are in northern part of NJ, I recommend you make rest of trip on inland route - Tappan Zee Bridge, Rte 87, Rte 687, Rte 84 (through CT) to Mass Turnpike - could give more detailed directions if you want. I would avoid I95 through CT unless you have some interest in New Haven, Bridgeport or Providence.

Independence Air is advertising new service from Washington (Dulles) at incredibly cheap fares - another option to consider unless the car is yours and not a rental (I don't think they let you take your car on the plane)