Driving Holiday on the east coast - Is May too early ?
 

We are planning a driving holiday starting at Washington DC , and roughly taking in bits of Virginia, New England, Vermont and into Canada. We have 3-4 weeks and don't want to go in peak season. Is it too early, are the roads good and is the weather likely to be fine , is everything open ? Any suggestions of must see places appreciated too.

Should be beautiful on all fronts.

Agreed. Apple orchards are in blossom approx May 15 in central NH area. Other spring flowering trees, etc make it a pretty season. Roads are fine. Five Islands lobster opens May 8 - check hours at Maine lobster shacks. Might be weekends only. Canterbury Shaker Village NH opens in early May but other historic villages are open year round. Blue Ridge Pkwy in VA should be lovely. Been years since we drove there in late April. Boston highlight: Culinary Tour of Boston's North End or Chinatown. We've done both and both are great.

May in New England can have any kind of weather, from snow to blazing hot and if you are there for 3 or 4 weeks you will probably get some of everything. Cape Cod will be just waking up for the year, but there will be plenty open, good time for whale watches from Provincetown. Cape Ann will also be nice to visit at that time of year. Newport, RI and the Mystic, CT area will also be fun to visit then. Also, the Watch Hill Hotel may be open, it is a reproduction of the grand old hotel overlooking the ocean that was torn down and looks like the reproduction has kept the look of the old place. I'm not sure it will be ready, but if it is it would be fun to try it.

Things should be getting pretty leafy green by mid to end of May throughout the area, so come and enjoy the trip.

Plan to start in the south and work your way north. Virginia will be absolutely glorious, everything in bloom all at once, but take allergy medicine if you have problems with flower or tree pollen. It is also afantastic time to visit Washington DC if you have not been. The summer heat has not arrived, and the number of other tourists will be smaller. After Washington, you can go to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a lovely area with lots of interesting side roads.

The western part of New Jersey, up to and near the Delaware Water Gap, is beautiful and a huge surprise if all you have ever seen is the New Jersey Turnpike through Elizabeth.

In New England, it is significantly warmer inland in May than at the coast, owing to the water temperatures being still very cold. When warm air comes up from the south and hits cold ocean waters, the result is fog. This is beautiful, but you will be disappointed if you expected sunny, warm beach weather. Plan on antiquing and museums in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Cape Cod and Cape Ann rather than lots of water activities. If you get a warm, sunny day, don't hesitate!

Boston will be difficult because the many, many universities schedule graduations during May, and the influx of families make hotel accommodations difficult or expensive, sometimes both. Not impossible, but difficult, especially on weekends.

The Maine coast is very picturesque at this time of year and not at all busy. School does not end in most of New England until the end of June, so most family travel within the region is after that.
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The further north yuo go the later things open. By the time you get up to Maine many places are not open - or open only weekends - until Memorial Day.

Depending on where you go along the Maine coast, some seasonal places may not be open yet, but you'll find quite a few that are open, with everything open after Memorial Day.

The weather is totally unpredictable, but since your visit covers 3-4 weeks, you'll likely have periods of very nice weather. There is always the chance that "spring" and warmer temps, leaves on the trees, will come very late (end of May), but trees and flowers will be in bloom most everywhere.

If you have the choice, I'd recommend starting later in May and traveling into June.

I think you'll be fine. Snow is seriously doubtful in May. While it may not be beach weather, you're likely to have nice days in the 60s and 70s. There may be some things on the Cape and in Maine that don't open until Memorial Day, but many, many seasonal shops in restaurants open in early May.

Thanks to all - it sounds encouraging. We're from Australia and we like it hot before we get in the water so going not having beach weather isn't an issue for us. By the way, when is Memorial Day ?

Memorial Day 2010 is May 31.

Great time of year to do such a trip. Little kids are still in school in this part of US until early-mid June, so places are less crowded and more tranquil. Weather will range from likely warm and beautiful in the southern portion (Washington) to more variable the more north you go - and sometimes can be a bit windy or rainy, but nothing to ruin the trip.

In most areas insects will not be annoying, althoughs ome areas get little black bugs (May flies) - again, not enough to ruin trip.

With that amount of time I would break trip into roughly thirds, starting south as mentioned above. 1/3 in Washington/Virginia area, 1/3 in southern New England (Connecticut, Boston, etc) and 1/3 in more northern New England (NH, Vermont).

You did not mention wanting to include New York in the mix - not sure if it is included or not, but you still would have time to fit that into the mix.

I might consider flying into Washington, DC area and renting a car and then turning it in. Take train or fly to NY/CT area and rent a car (but not for any time actually in New York City). Depending on itinerary, take train to Boston and pick up car there or keep car and drive the rest of the trip.

One-way car rental will add to cost - so you may have to plan a circular route to avoid those costs.