eigasuki

Thanks to all those who have helped so much in the planning of my forthcoming trip to the US in September-October. I'm watching the Aussie dollar plummet with some dismay but optimistically hoping for a turn around in the next few weeks. So I'm now having to watch the budget even more closely.

I'm now arranging a car rental for six days out of Boston. I arrive in Boston on the weekend and on recommendations from this board, am staying at the Morrison House B&B in Somerville. I plan to pick up a car on Monday 8th October and head off for Woodstock VT and Jackson NH, returning to Boston on Saturday 13th.

I'm wondering which would be the logical place to pick up and return the rental car. Judging from what I've read, I don't want to be driving in Boston itself so I'm wondering where would be the most sensible places to pick up and return the car. Some of the places I've researched seem to close at 12 or 1p.m. on the Saturday which would somewhat restrict me. I'm looking for locations which would make for an easy route out of town and would be easy to get to and easy to get from to my hotel on the return (in COmmonwealth Ave). How would renting out of the airport work, even though I'm not flying in that day?

I'm also finding that the insurance, loss waiver charges are more than the rental costs themselves. Any way to minimise those? My credit card doesn't cover it though my travel insurance (with Covermore) does cover the "excess". I plan to check with them what that actually means.

The information on this board is just so helpful, it's like a little secret society. When i discuss my plans, friends exclaim "How do you know about that" . Can't wait to actually do it.

joesorce

Best bet is usually to find an agency in your country that deals with all-inclusive car rentals in the USA (insurances etc included).

I'm not sure about the parking situation near your B&B, but 7 day cars are usually the same price as 5 day, so you should just get the car at the airport when you arrive.

Ackislander

You will probably get a cheaper rate booking with an agency in Australia.

Ask them to check the rates for picking up and returning at the airport vs picking up and returning in Cambridge, which is a separate city. Boston rentals, both airport and in-town, add substantial taxes that you do not have to pay if you rent in another town.

The difference may be minimal if your agency has a good arrangement, but they may be substantial if you are booking directly.

eigasuki

Good idea, I'll try that.

There's free parking at the B&B but every extra day adds to the insurance bill. The rate for five/ six days is much the same as for a week. In fact some of the places just quote a weekly rate. I'm catching Amtrack to NY after Boston so returning to the airport would only make sense if it made it easier trafficwise (or was hugely cheaper)

eigasuki

It definitely seems cheaper to rent from Somerville or Cambridge. Would I be corest in assuming it would be more straightforward to get out of town from there too?

And any great places to check out on the way to Woodstock?

eigasuki

I meant = "correct in assuming". Sorry.

ggreen

Yes definitely, heading out to VT and NH will be easier from Cambridge/Somerville than from downtown Boston.

For example, you can take Mass Ave straight out and connect to Route 2, which takes you past historic Lexington and Concord and into apple country as you head west. You also can get on I-93 North, especially from Somerville, if that's your preferred route northwards. (I-93 to I-89 is the most direct route to Woodstock, VT.)

eigasuki

Thanks for the help. I've booked out of Cambridge, mainly because they close later on the Saturday afternoon. I got a good rate, insurance included, with Hertz o hopefully things will work out. I checked directions on Google maps and Mapquest and they gave quite different directions. Yours sounds even more straightforward.

So Lexington and Concord are worth a stop?

gail

If you take Mass Ave to route 2, it is a long ride on Mass Ave (Massachusetts Avenue - but no one calls it that). You go thru Arlington and Lexington. Only place you will get lost is in Lexington, where at a small rotary (traffic circle) you must turn left onto Pleasant Street to get to Route 2. Only real landmark is a large private school to right and church in front of you. After you turn left you will pass Wilson Farms - the best farmstand/produce in Massachusetts, in my opinion.

Stop there, even if just to buy a few apples and other snacks for your trip.

Shortly after Wilson Farms you can pick up Route 2. You want Route 2 West - it is a left fork in the road and the sign is usually hidden by trees.

eigasuki

Excellent, I'll keep a look out for that!

gail

Sorry - it is a right fork - I was thinking from other direction. Now I have really gotten you lost, because if you take left fork you end up back in Cambridge!

ggreen

Well... FWIW, Lexington and Concord are very significant towns in the history of the United States. They are also cute towns in-and-of themselves (IMO Lexington more for its restaurants, Concord for boutique stores and a more quaint feel to the center of town).

If you're interested in colonial US history, you can go to the green in Lexington where the first shots in the War of Independence occurred. In Concord, people like to see the Old North Bridge, where an important early battle was fought. There are other buildings related to that time period, too. Rather than go back out to Route 2 to get between the two towns, take Route 2A which links the two towns via Minuteman National Historical Park.

Oh also in Concord there is a good historical society that maintains the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott and more.

It looks like Wikipedia has some decent info on these towns, with links to points of interest, official websites, and more. (en.wikipedia.org; search for "Lexington Massachusetts" or "Concord Massachusetts")

As for getting to VT, personally I prefer the more scenic Route 2 to I-91 option, which also has the benefit of going through Brattleboro, VT, one of my favorite towns and a good place to stop for a bite to eat. However, depending on what your priorities are, the faster route is to take the interstate the whole way, which would be I-93 to I-89.

Oh, and Wilson Farms is great. There will also be more farm stands along Route 2 as you cross the state. And Route 2 West is the right fork, not the left.