The ultimate soccer fan’s New York to Boston road trip

The drive from New York to Boston

It takes around 4 hours and 20 minutes to drive the 216 miles from New York to Boston, taking the direct route via I-95 North and I-90 East:

The scenic route to Boston via I-87 North takes approximately 5 hours, 35 minutes. This route travels 319 miles from NY to the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires before arriving in Boston. Both routes have tolls.

Starting point: New York

New York City is the starting point of our ultimate soccer fan’s road trip. And for good reason. Soccer thrives in every corner of New York City. Notable attractions include: 

Yankee Stadium 

Visit the iconic Yankee Stadium, home to New York City FC. Watching New York City FC play at Yankee Stadium is an experience like no other. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere as the crowds cheer on some of the biggest players in Major League Soccer.

Pelé Soccer - Times Square

Start your road trip from New York to Boston on the right foot with a visit to Pelé Soccer. Manhattan’s ultimate soccer destination for licensed apparel, match balls and much more. Kit yourself out in new attire for your road trip, or gift to your loved ones as a souvenir when you return home. A compact SUV or sedan is perfect for navigating the tight streets in New York City.

Cold Spring, New York

Cold Spring, New York State, is a great place to venture from NYC, with great hiking spots and small-town charm. The drive takes just over an hour via Palisades Interstate Parkway North. Cold Spring is renowned for its narrow roads, so we recommend a compact hatchback or small car rental. 

Cold Spring Antiques Center

Cold Spring Antiques Center is an antique shop located in Cold Spring, New York. The antiques center is located in a 19th-century bank and features 27 dealers selling everything from antiques to vintage jewelry and clothing. 

West Point Foundry Preserve 

Put on your hiking boots and travel back in time at this unique outdoor museum. Made up of 90 acres, this locale tells the history of the site’s manufacturing role in both the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.

New Haven, Connecticut 

New Haven, Connecticut, is home to Yale University, great eateries and a diverse arts scene. A compact SUV rental can help you navigate the tight roads in New Haven with confidence. 

Wooster Street

This is the centre of New Haven’s special ‘apizza’, or thin-crust, coal-fired pie, scene. Tuck into a pie at some iconic restaurants like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana or Sally's Apizza. Delicious!

Reese Stadium

Located on the Yale University Campus and home to Yale Bulldogs soccer, Reese Stadium hosts several international soccer teams. The stadium was also the primary venue for the Special Olympics World Games in 1995. 

Mystic, Connecticut 

Mystic is a charming coastal village in Connecticut. It’s known for its boutique shopping, maritime history and fine dining. A sedan or SUV car rental is ideal for navigating the flat roads in the downtown and riverfront areas. 

Here’s how to make the most of your time in Mystic, CT:

Mystic Seaport Museum

The largest in the United States, this museum contains shipwrecks, active historic shipyards and artefacts from more than 400 years of maritime history. A great spot to visit with the whole family.

Downtown Mystic

Walk the streets of historic downtown and soak up the sights and sounds. Watch the drawbridge lift, grab a tasty bite or browse in the many speciality shops.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is a city located in Rhode Island. Aside from its rich sailing history, classic mansions and breathtaking coastal scenery, there’s plenty for soccer lovers here. Top attractions in Newport include:

Newport Harbor Island Resort 

Located just over an hour from Gillette Stadium, Newport Harbor Island Resort is the perfect base for soccer fans. The resort features elegant rooms and beautiful views designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The resort also hosts a range of viewing parties and themed soccer events in 2026. 

Gilded Age Mansions

Take a tour of where the rich and famous used to live in the summer months. Visit The Breakers, or check out the Marble House, the 1800s estates of the Vanderbilts.

Providence, Rhode Island

Next, it’s time to make your way to Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, which is also known as the ‘Creative Capital’. This city is bursting with lively neighborhoods, colonial history and Italian restaurants. It also happens to be a great spot to celebrate soccer. 

Federal Hill

Providence’s version of ‘Little Italy’ is the place to come to fill your belly. Feast on delicious pasta, pizza and gelato, or pick up some cannolis for the rest of your trip north.

Centerville Bank Stadium

Take a short 10-minute drive in your rental car from Providence to Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket. Home of the Rhode Island FC, the stadium hosts various Rhode Island FC home games.

Finish point: Boston, Massachusetts

Last but not least on our soccer road trip is Boston, Massachusetts. Beantown is a fun place to visit at any time of the year with its unique mixture of museums, historical sites, sporting attractions, beaches and nightspots. Here you’ll also find a range of great venues to watch live soccer and mingle with soccer fans. 

Beacon Hill 

No trip to Boston is complete without a wander through Beacon Hill. Walk along Acorn Street, browse some antique shops, or enjoy a meal in this iconic, affluent neighborhood.

Soccer Fan Zone 

Catch all the action of the 2026 International Football Tournament from a designated fan festival zone in Boston. Organizers are still deciding the location of the fan zone, so keep posted. However, fans can expect music, food, great atmosphere, and big screen coverage.