Visit all of Washington DC's famous landmarks
Drive along Cape Cod's beautiful coastline
Take 2 days to explore the Big Apple
Try a traditional Philly cheesesteak
Explore the quiet and peaceful beaches of Cape Cod
Explore Boston's atmospheric Acorn Street
Spot whales off the beaches of Cape Cod
Spend an evening exploring Philadelphia
This 2-week self-drive holiday takes you on a tour of east coast USA’s ‘Big 4’; Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Hear the nation’s political heartbeat in the capital, Washington, before heading to Philly. Next, spend 2 days in New York, the city that never sleeps before heading to the quiet and scenic Cape Cod before finishing your east coast road trip in historic Boston.
After 3 nights in Washington, you’ll pick up your hire car and begin your drive to Philadelphia. Sometimes overlooked, Philadelphia is a fascinating city full of history and architecture - not to mention the renowned Philly Steak Sandwich and the iconic steps of the Museum of Art, made famous by Sylvester Stallone and the film “Rocky”.
A two-hour drive will bring you to New York, where you’ll stay for 3 nights with time to explore Central Park, Greenwich Village and the bright lights of Times Square. An east coast road trip wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Cape Cod, your next stop, popular for its quaint villages, stunning beaches and relaxed and friendly vibe.
Your final stop is historic Boston, one of the oldest cities in the US. Here you can follow the Freedom Trail through the city and learn about its history and visit to the Boston Tea Party ships.
This city and coast combination is a tried and tested favourite, but if you’d like to tweak or extend the holiday to suit your requirements, please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream American road trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Washington, DC, where you will check in for 3 nights.
You have 2 full days in the USA’s capital city and political centre – plenty of time to see the sights and visit the many recognisable monuments and buildings including the Lincoln Memorial.
Pick up your car as today’s drive will take you north east of Washington, past Baltimore and finishing in Philadelphia. Once you arrive, you can check into your hotel for your 2 night stay.
Today is a free day in Philadelphia – a city full of history and great food. Visit the Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal Farmers Market, and make sure you indulge in the local snack - a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich!
Today you depart Philly and head for the ‘Big Apple’, New York City. It’s a short 2 hour drive and today you’ll check in for your 3 night stay.
The toughest part of the trip will be working out how to squeeze in everything you could do in New York!
We can arrange a 48 hour hop on-hop off bus pass for you which allows you to see as much or as little as you would like, without being tied down to a tour group. If that isn’t up your street, hail yellow cabs and take the subway to fully experience New York at its best.
For panoramic views, head up the Empire State Building or the ‘Top of the Rock’ experience; for skyline vistas, take a Circle Line cruise and for shows – head to Broadway. See our blog post Stopping over in New York for more ideas!
Driving north east along the coast from New York you will reach Cape Cod, your next destination. You will be staying here for 2 nights.
Today is the perfect day to relax and unwind away from the buzz of city life. Cape Cod is a quiet and peaceful place, perfect for exploring the small fishing villages and long sandy beaches.
Your drive to Boston today only take an hour or two, so after a leisurely breakfast wind your way up the coast to your final destination. Once you arrive, you will check in for your 2 night stay.
A full day in Boston can be spent meandering through the city while following the Freedom Trail, which passes by significant locations including Boston Common and Old State House or you could take to the seas and head out for some whale watching.
Head to the airport to drop off your hire car, and board your flight home.
Summer on the east coast of the USA runs from around May to September and is the best time to visit to ensure lovely weather, this is peak time however meaning prices will be at a premium and availability limited. Spring and Autumn can be a good option due to milder weather and fewer crowds but avoid winter months if you dont like the cold, it isn't unusual for temperatures to drop below -10c in Boston at this time!
This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
12 nights in 3.5 and 4* hotels. Hotels in this category include:
