Rhode Island Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country at 45 by 37 miles, but that doesn't mean it's not a good place for a road trip. In fact, it's a great state for a road trip. If you're looking for some of the best road trips in Rhode Island, we're here to help. Here is an extensive list that includes our best road trips in Rhode Island. So gas up the car or charge your EV and let's hit the road.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out Only In Your State's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a weeklong road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

1-Day Road Trip in Rhode Island

• Route: Newport's Cliff Walk > Coast Guard House Restaurant in Narragansett > Block Island's Mohegan Bluffs
• Distance: 38.5 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour 59 minutes

It's rather easy to take a one-day road trip within Rhode Island as it is such a small state, so we put together an epic one-day road trip that starts in Newport at the Cliff Walk at sunrise. You'll then head on down to Narragansett for a delicious meal at The Coast Guard House Restaurant before hopping on a ferry to Block Island where you can take in a beautiful sunset from atop a cliff. This Rhode Island road trip itinerary is simple yet gives you a great variety of locations that exemplify the best of the state. If you're looking for quick road trips in Rhode Island, this one is your best bet.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip in Rhode Island

• Route: Colt State Park > Burlingame State Park > Lincoln Woods State Park
• Distance: 99.1 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 14 minutes

One of my favorite ways to explore the natural beauty of Rhode Island is by visiting its state parks, which happen to make the perfect road trip itinerary. If you're looking for a road trip through Rhode Island over a long weekend, consider taking this three days at three state parks road trip. While it includes a great variety of parks throughout the state, this is an opportunity to spend time exploring each one. Begin at Colt State Park in Bristol where you can hike, bike, or picnic along the water. On the second day, you can head to Charlestown's Burlingame State Park which has a beach and a campground. This trip ends at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln on the third day. Here, you can get in plenty of hiking or take a dip in the pond. This could be one of the best weekend road trips in Rhode Island, especially if you love the outdoors.

Rhode Island Lighthouses Road Trip

• Route: Point Judith Lighthouse > Beavertail Lighthouse > Lime Rock Lighthouse > Newport Harbor Light > Castle Hill Lighthouse
• Distance: 147 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 58 minutes

One of the most charming things about the Ocean State, and New England, in general, is seeing a lighthouse. So, if you enjoy seeing these gorgeous historic beacons along the coast, take a Rhode Island lighthouse road trip. One of the most scenic trips in Rhode Island, it will take you to such iconic lighthouses as Point Judith Lighthouse, Beavertail Lighthouse, and Castle Hill Lighthouse.

Rhode Island Hidden Gems Road Trip

• Route: Bristol > Neutaconkanut Hill Park > Warwick City Park > Goddard Memorial State Park Beach > Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge > Colt State Park
• Distance: 85.4 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 36 minutes

Have you thought you've seen all there is to see in the Ocean State? Well, think again! There are quite a few places tucked away that maybe you haven't discovered yet. That's why you should take a Rhode Island hidden gems road trip. You'll start in the highly overlooked town of Bristol before driving to Neutaconkanut Hill Park to take in views of Providence.

Once you've had your fill of Providence and have taken enough pictures, the next stop is Warwick City Park which sits along the water (maybe grab some clam cakes and chowder from Iggy's and have a picnic here). Then you can check out nearby Goddard Memorial State Park Beach where you can take a walk along the lovely sandy beach. Next, this road trip leads to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown for some hiking and birding. And the sixth and final stop is none other than Colt State Park in Bristol, the end to a perfect day.

Best Rhode Island Road Trip For Spring

• Route: Ponaganset Falls > Harrisville Falls > Round Top Fishing Area > Albion Falls > Robin Hollow Pond Falls > Slater Mill > Pawtuxet Village Falls > Kenyon Mill Falls > Shannock Horseshoe Falls > Stepstone Falls
• Distance: 110 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 54 minutes

While the Ocean State isn't generally known for its waterfalls, there are quite a few to be found around the state, especially in the springtime once the snow and ice melt. Now, some of these waterfalls are manmade, but that doesn't make them any less beautiful. Here is the itinerary for the ultimate Rhode Island waterfalls road trip. Starting at Ponagansett Falls in Scituate, you'll then make your way through the towns of Burrillville, Lincoln, Cumberland, Pawtucket, Warwick, South Kingstown, Richmond, and West Greenwich to discover falls along the way. One of the best road trips through Rhode Island culminates at Stepstone Falls, found along the Ben Utter Trail and perhaps the most well-known cascade in the state.

Best Summer Road Trip in Rhode Island

• Route: East Beach > Narragansett Town Beach > Cascade Brook Falls > Waterfall Café > Stepstone Falls > Watch Hill Beach
• Distance: 138 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 32 minutes

There's no way you can spend time in Rhode Island in the summer and not hit the beach. Discover some of the best beaches, along with a few waterfalls, on this road trip to some of the most impressive Rhode Island beaches and waterfalls. You'll start at East Beach in Charlestown then check out Narragansett Town Beach before stopping to see the lovely Cascade Brook Falls in Greenville and the falls at Waterfall Café in Harrisville. After, you'll head south to West Greenwich to see Stepstone Falls before ending the trip at Watch Hill Beach in Westerly. This is the perfect road trip through Rhode Island to take during the summer.

Best Rhode Island Road Trip For Fall

• Route: Lincoln Woods State Park > Sprague Farm > George B. Parker Woodland > Big River Management Area > Arcadia State Park > Burlingame State Park
• Distance: 123 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 37 minutes

Most of us can agree that living in New England during autumn is one of the most spectacular experiences. From apple picking to corn mazes and pumpkin patches, there are just so many fantastic things to do and see. Few fall activities compare to taking a walk through the vibrantly changing leaves and the smallest state offers some pretty breathtaking places for leaf peeping. This Rhode Island fall foliage road trip is a perfect afternoon filled with the glory of the changing leaves.

Best Winter Road Trip in Rhode Island

• Route: Providence > Bristol > Newport > Wickford Village > Westerly
• Distance: 118 miles
• Trip Time: 2 hours 58 minutes

When winter rolls around, 'tis the season for a Rhode Island Christmas towns road trip! Begin in Providence before venturing off to Bristol and then Newport where you can see the mansions decked out for the holidays. Next is Wickford where you can do a bit of shopping, and then head towards Connecticut and stop in the charming town of Westerly. This road trip would put any Grinch in the holiday spirit.

Family-Friendly Rhode Island Road Trip

• Route: Adventureland Family Fun Park > Biomes Marine Biology Center > Camp Nowhere > Roger Williams Park Zoo
• Distance: 43.2 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour 18 minutes

Need an adventure the whole family will enjoy? Take this family-friendly road trip through Rhode Island during summer break and create memories that will last a lifetime. This trip covers a wide variety of attractions to keep things interesting and your family entertained. And while you can rush and make this a day trip, it's probably best to do this trip for two or three days, especially with children in tow. Carve out plenty of time, in particular, to visit my favorite stop, Roger Williams Park Zoo, where you can book a wild encounter with such friendly animals as George the porcupine, a sloth, or Josephine the armadillo.

Road Trip to Rhode Island Landmarks and Natural Wonders

• Route: King Benson Preserve > Ocean Drive > Ninigret Park > Wilcox Park > Stepstone Falls > Jerimoth Hill > Pawtucket Falls > Providence River Walk > Colt State Park > Mohegan Bluffs
• Distance: 209 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours 13 minutes

There's no arguing that Rhode Island is a beautiful state full of gorgeous beaches, cliffs, woodlands, and more. If you want to discover some of the gorgeous landmarks and gems of the state, consider taking this hidden wonders of Rhode Island road trip. Over a few days, you will take one of the best drives in Rhode Island, discover the highest point in the state, go for a hike through the woods, hop aboard a ferry to Block Island, and more.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Rhode Island

• Route: Westerly > Wickford Village > Jamestown > Bristol > Tiverton
• Distance: 67.6 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour 49 minutes

In many ways, the state of Rhode Island feels like one big small town in and of itself. We, locals, are used to running into familiar faces at just about every corner and taking in the same sights each day. That said, there are still many wonderful small towns found across the state that each offer something unique and worth scouting out. This road trip will take you through some of the most charming places the state has to offer. Visit historic fishing villages, lovely beaches, and beautiful state parks on this picturesque small-town road trip. It may just be one of the best road trips in Rhode Island.

Are you ready for your next Ocean State adventure? What are your favorite destinations for a road trip in Rhode Island? Let us know by filling out a nomination form.

If you don't have time for a road trip, set aside a day for one of the best day trips in Rhode Island. And, if you don't have an entire day, lace up your hiking boots for a trek along one of the best trails in Rhode Island.