We are just now starting to plan a trip to Newport, RI and will be going there the first or second week in October. I would love to also travel into Vermont to see the fall colors. We could drive to Vermont on a Saturday afternoon and then start our way through on Sunday. We would have to return to Newport on Monday. Could we make it all the way through Vermont in one day with the traffic at that time of year? Should we even try to make our way to Northern Vermont, or would it be better to not go so far north and have more time for a stop...say at Hildene in Manchester, or the Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. I know this is an involved question but I would appreciate the input of a seasoned Vermont traveler, or resident.

Sue it is too long drive. But the area where you are going to be has also spectacular colors. I personally would drive north to New Hampshire. It is so gorgeous. It is the best time and and wherever you go get on some back roads and appreciate what is around you without driving all the way to Vermont. There is no more traffic then other time of the year. Vermont is great so is MA, CT, NH, northern part of NY as well. Have a colorful blast

It is too long a drive for a day trip, and finding a room for an overnight would be difficult that time of year - an impossible on a Saturday night. You will see lovely color through-out Mass and NH, which have a more direct route via Rt. 495 to Rt 2 (Mass) or Rt. 93 (NH).
If you decide to attempt an overnight mid-week, I'd suggest following: Rt. 495 to Rt. 2 west to Rt. 91 with a stop at Deerfield. Then follow Rt. 91 North to the Queechee/Woodstock area for an overnight. You must have a reservation. Follow Rt. 89 East through New Hamspshire with a stop in either New London or Warner, then South on 93, and back to RI on Rt. 495.
You will see lovely foliage from the highway and from your stops in towns, but the most fun is when you can meander the back roads and not be in a rush. Consider a trip back next year! There is so much to enjoy in Newport - you may not want to leave.

Sue, I agree with the above posts - there is no reason to drive all the way up into northern Vermont - the colors would probably be past their peak by mid October way up there anyway. You will see spectacular colors anywhere in New Hampshire (outside the Manchester/Nashua sprawl), or Vermont. I would suggest driving up I-89 from Concord NH, into the Hanover/Lebanon area. Here you could spend an afternoon driving to Cornish NH, stop at St. Gaudens historical site (beautiful), drive thru the Cornish NH/Windsor VT covered bridge (great photo op)then up the Mt. Ascutney auto road to the summit for a spectacular view of both states. Next day, you could head up to Woodstock VT, and Billings farm which is a wonderful place. Even though this is a rural area of New England, it gets quite busy this time of year, and you should reserve a motel, b&b, etc asap. There are lots of great restaurants in Hanover NH and it is a good place for lunch or dinner. The Dartmouth campus is a large part of Hanover, and it's quite scenic (I live near by!)

I want to thank you all so much for taking the time to give such detailed and helpful responses. Thanks to your help we have a much better idea of what it's going to be like up there and that Vermont is not the "be all, end all" for fall colors. We're going to do the drive into New Hampshire and then over to Woodstock, Vt. We'll have time for drives down back roads (MN)and some of the stops you mentioned (Beth & Dougd). You all are great! We're excited. Thanks again.