Heading Up to New Hampshire in About a Week

[AngliaGT]

I'll be by myself,driving the "M" car.Planning on staying in the Brattleboro,Vermont,
& Bennington,VT areas.Any advice on affordable hotels in these areas?I'll also need ideas on
places to stay on the way up/back,as this will be at least a two day drive in each direction,so
maybe the Allentown area?
We stayed at a Super 8 in Brattleboro & really liked it,but I see that it's now non-chain
hotel,& has a 2 star rating.I think it's called the Carriage House Inn now.
And what about ethanol-free gas.Can I buy it at the pump for on the road use?

Last time,we took I 95 up to Rhode Island,& after NYC it was stop & go for a long time.
Is there an alternative route that goes North?
Thanks for any constructive help.

 

[Popeye]

Living in greater Boston, I suggest driving small roads West of I-95. Go via Albany, or even points West. I-95 is not much more than a parking lot for folks who live in X and commute to Y...

Once you get north of NYC, western MA has some great roads (Route 2, for example), and then more isolated the further north you go.

No ideas on hotels. The off-brands seem hit-or-miss relative to the quality of the towels and company they attract. Holiday Inn / Hampton Inn, etc. are consistent - but the prices unfortunately as well.

Not too far from Brattleboro is Keene NH, where I can recommend Guerrilla Grill for lunch/dinner. While driving to northern Vermont a year ago, I got a sandwich to go and continued north until I found a nice spot by the side of the road to picnic. Yum!

 

[BobHaskell]

I prefer state route 15 through Connecticut, rather than I-95.

 

[AngliaGT]

Thanks For the replies.