5 Road Trips 3 Hours or Less From Boston

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Boston is a fantastic city with plenty of sporting events and historic sites. After cruising in the Swan Boats and attending a Red Sox game, you might be ready to explore the wider area. With so many great places to visit in New England, it’s time to get out and take a short road trip. With the help of Boston magazine, we’ve picked five destinations only three hours or less from Boston.

Northbridge, Massachusetts

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Northbridge is only a one-hour road trip west of Boston. The Shining Rock Golf Club has a 146-acre course cut into a granite canyon. It offers a challenging design for any golfer and scenic views, Boston magazine reports. The course reopened for the 2021 season in March.

Northbridge is part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, run by the National Park Service. It’s a great area for biking, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. At the end of the day, stay at the Beechwood Hotel.

Newport, Rhode Island

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Drive an hour and a half south of Boston to reach Newport, Rhode Island. This spot offers scenic water views and Gilded Age mansions.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Cliff Walk and hiking trails, providing beautiful vistas and fresh air. The 3.5-mile Cliff Walk is nicest in good weather but less crowded during the winter off-season.

On your road trip, a 10-mile drive passes homes like the Breakers and Rough Point. The Breakers has recently reopened for tours, but most of the houses and grounds remain closed because of the pandemic.

For dinner, try Forty 1° North or Christie’s. Then stay overnight at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina or Castle Hill Inn.

Mashantucket, Connecticut

About two hours southwest of Boston, this quaint Connecticut town is home to one of the world’s largest casinos. Located on the Mashantucket Pequot reservation, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers the Scorpion Bar, Shrine nightclub, G Spa, Alta Strada restaurant, and Grand Theater shows. Visitors too young to gamble can check out the Tree House Arcade.

At the end of the night, the Fox Tower at Foxwoods is a beautiful place to lay your head. This indoor entertainment complex is open year-round. Note that Foxwoods has pandemic safety protocols in place, so call ahead to check for updates.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Meander two hours north of Boston to reach Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. This area offers something for everyone. It’s home to the largest lake in the state, the New Hampshire Lakes Region Tourism Association reports. Enjoy boating and waterskiing in the warmer months and ice sailing and ice fishing in the winter. Venture out from the lake for skiing and snowmobiling in the area.

Also, find historic locations and boat museums in the towns of Laconia, Meredith, and Wolfeboro. Motorcycle enthusiasts arrive for the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week, happening in June. And adventurers can take in the views of the White Mountains and Ossipee Mountains on a Lakes Region Seaplane Services tour.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont, is a three-hour drive northwest of Boston. This mountain resort town offers plenty of outdoor adventures year-round, including hiking, biking, leaf peeping, and skiing.

Bicyclists will enjoy the 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path, Thrillist reports. Or bike on more than 25 miles of paths while staying at the Trapp Family Lodge, founded by the family made famous in The Sound of Music.

Thirsty and/or hungry? Check out Idletyme Brewing Company for lunch or dinner, or try the ciders at Stowe Cider. In nearby Waterbury, Hen of the Woods also serves a great dinner.

With warmer weather arriving in New England, summer and fall are excellent seasons for a road trip to some of these destinations. Great options exist north, south, and west of Boston.

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The Best New Cars and SUVs Under $30,000 According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s no getting around it. Cars these days are expensive. In fact, Kelley Blue Book reports the average new vehicle cost car shoppers approximately $40,857 in January 2021. The good news is that many popular new cars and SUVs won’t have you spending quite that much. As a matter of fact, according to Consumer Reports, these affordable new cars make up the best new cars and SUVs for under $30,000. 

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is the best new compact car under $30,000

2021 Toyota Corolla | Toyota

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For those in the market for an affordable new car, Consumer Reports says that the 2021 Toyota Corolla is the best new compact car under $30,000 that you can buy. Base models will have you spending $20,025, which makes it among the cheapest cars for sale. Meanwhile, a range-topping Corolla will cost you $28,310.

An affordable price tag isn’t the only reason to consider the 2021 Toyota Corolla either. According to Consumer Reports, this year’s Corolla boasts “agile handling without sacrificing ride quality.” It’s also fuel-efficient and available as a hybrid car.

Perhaps what’s most enticing about the Toyota Corolla is its reputation for reliability. Consumer Reports gave this year’s model a five out of five predicted reliability rating. RepairPal gave the Corolla a similarly high-reliability rating, adding that it has excellent ownership costs and major repairs are fairly uncommon.

The 2021 Toyota Camry is the best new midsize car on a budget

2021 Toyota Camry parked
2021 Toyota Camry | Toyota

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Say the 2021 Toyota Corolla just doesn’t offer enough space. If that’s the case, consider upgrading to the 2021 Toyota Camry. According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Toyota Camry is among the best new cars under $30,000. Though, that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. 

This year’s Camry boasts a starting price of $25,045. Consider a range-topping model instead, and the Toyota Camry’s price bumps up to approximately $35,620. The good news is that for those shopping for a new car under $30,000, the Camry offers several cheaper trim levels to choose from.

Much like the Corolla, Consumer Reports gave the Toyota Camry some pretty high marks. It not only earned an 86 in road tests but, the organization also gave it a five out of five predicted reliability rating and a four out of five predicted owner satisfaction rating. Consumer Reports predicts that owners of this affordable new car will be happiest with its driving experience, styling, and comfort.

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a sporty new car under $30,000

A 2021 Mazda Miata parked at sunset, the Miata is an affordable new car
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

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Consumer Reports also included the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata among its best new cars under $30,000. This affordable convertible starts at $26,830. The Miata is also available in two additional trim levels, the Miata Club, which starts at $30,290, and the Miata Grand Touring, which starts at $31,770.

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata has more going for it than its affordable price, however. According to Consumer Reports, the Miata’s six-speed manual transmission makes this year’s model a joy to drive. Its impressive fuel economy ratings certainly helped too.

And when it comes to reliability? Consumer Reports gave this affordable new car a perfect five out of five. Meanwhile, RepairPal gave the Miata an Above Average reliability rating, adding that it has excellent ownership costs and is one of the most reliable new cars on the road.

The 2021 Subaru Forester is a wallet-friendly compact SUV 

A green 2021 Subaru Forester with a kayak on top of it, the Subaru Forester is among the best new cars under $30,000
2021 Subaru Forester | Zhe Ji/Getty Images

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For an affordable new SUV with all-wheel drive, Consumer Reports recommends the 2021 Subaru Forester. This year’s model is among the most affordable new SUVs and boasts a base price of $24,795. Treat yourself to a range-topping model, and this year’s Forester costs roughly $34,895.

But what is it that makes the 2021 Subaru Forester one of the best new SUVs under $30,000? Aside from its affordable price, Consumer Reports explains that the Forester delivers a “combination of a roomy interior, excellent visibility, commendable fuel economy, simple controls, a comfortable ride, and responsive handling.”

This affordable new car is reliable too. While Consumer Reports gave it a four out of five predicted reliability rating, RepairPal gave it an Above Average reliability rating. According to RepairPal, the Forester has average ownership costs too. 

Buying a new car or SUV doesn’t have to break the bank

While the average new car might cost roughly $40,857, that doesn’t mean you need to spend that much when shopping for your next vehicle. Instead, begin by considering Consumer Reports’ picks for the best new cars and SUVs under $30,000.

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The Worst U.S. City to Drive in Isn’t in the Contiguous United States

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For those who venture onto U.S. roadways for work or leisure, driving conditions can be frustrating. But some American cities have reputations for being the worst places to drive. In fact, the worst city of all can be downright maddening. And surprisingly, it isn’t a big metropolitan area. Avoid this traffic and car safety nightmare when traveling. And for residents, it’s definitely one of the worst places to drive.

The worst city to drive in 

USA Today shared results from the Waze app’s 2018 Driver Satisfaction Index, ranking some of the best and worst places to drive. The survey considers all aspects of driving, including safety, traffic, road quality, and driver services across 217 metro areas worldwide.

And when it comes to the worst U.S. cities to drive in, Honolulu, Hawaii, ranks as the absolute pits. So, what does this island paradise do so wrong that makes it more dreadful than bustling U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles?

Why this vacation hotspot is a drag

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Honolulu Civil Beat shed some light on the city’s bad rap for the worst traffic. Over the years, there have been worst-city-driving lists like these, including those from INRIX, a Washington-based traffic research firm. In previous years, Honolulu drivers lost more than 50 hours annually by sitting in traffic gridlock. 

Part of the congestion is due to the smaller number of public roadways leading to various parts of the city. On an island, there’s not enough room to fit more roads. Add to the limited number of routes, the morning and afternoon commute cluster, and this city offers its motorists a drag of a drive every day.

Tips for visitors to avoid driving in this city

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Though locals can’t do much to improve their driving situations, visitors can. Avoid driving in traffic by taking a rideshare or public transportation. Let a resident expert navigate the hectic roadways with experience so that you don’t have to try to figure out your way.

Also, depending upon where you’re going, you could walk or rent a bike to visit area attractions. If you plan to drive, give yourself enough time to get where you’re headed. 

Other U.S. cities with terrible traffic

Although more recent lists indicate Honolulu is no longer one of the worst places to drive, they’re not painting the entire picture. Traffic on the island really hasn’t improved. Only now, the metrics are calculating additional roadways beyond the major arteries previously measured. And with pandemic conditions, some Honolulu sources say traffic in the city is as awful as ever.

According to Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report 2019, Boston is the worst. In that city, drivers make it only 3.7 years between accidents. And Boston motorists are 167 percent likelier to have a car accident than the national average. Other metrics point to Jacksonville, Florida; San Diego, California; and Portland, Oregon as some of the nation’s worst places to drive today.

No matter where you drive, always remember to wear your seatbelt and avoid using your mobile device behind the wheel. But if you have to drive in any of these notoriously traffic-ridden cities, know you’re taking a few more risks than usual. From road conditions and gridlock to accident numbers, these are the nation’s worst places to drive.

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2021 Rivian R1T Vs 2021 Ford F-150: Who’s Got the Biggest Truck?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Rivian has been almost like a sort of urban legend or something until now. Starting next month, Rivian is set to start making its first deliveries. Rivian has released plenty of details, and we mostly know what to expect, except it hasn’t been super clear on size. Will the 2021 Rivian R1T be bigger or smaller than the world’s favorite truck, the Ford F-150. 

Rivian R1T | Rivian

How will the 2021 Rivian R1T compare to the 2021 Ford F-150? 

With barely a month left before we can expect to start Rivians quietly zooming around in the real world, the electric truck startup has finally released the EVs’ specific dimensions. According to Ford Authority, these dimensions compare pretty closely to the Ford F-150. 

Ford f-150 2021
The 2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch | Nic Antaya/Getty Images

For context, the Ford Ranger dimensions are as follows; 210.8-inches long, 85.5-inches wide, and 71.5-inches tall. On the bigger side of the Ford spectrum, the F-150 measures 231.7-inches long, 95.7-inches wide, and 77.2-inches tall. So, where does the Rivian fall? 

The 2021 Rivian R1T (the pickup truck configuration) is dead in the middle of the two Fords at 217.1-inches long, 87.1-inches wide, and 73.1-inches tall. Although the temptation would be to make the bigger truck, Rivian has again been very clever to fill the gaps in the truck market. 

Rivian is coming for your pickup truck loyalty

Rivian R1T electric pickup truck parked in the woods with a bike on the back
Rivian R1T | Rivian

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Rivian has clearly been gunning for any gap it could see in the truck/SUV market. Rivian is not only going for the big gap of electric pickup trucks, but it’s taking more subtle and clever shots at the truck market. 

According to Ford Authority, Rivian calls this size the “sweet spot” for truck customers. These dimensions represent a specific effort to make a truck large enough to haul serious loads yet still be friendly to drive and easy to park. 

Although Rivian still hasn’t given any interior dimensions, we have seen loads of photos of the interior layout. These photos suggest that there should not only be plenty of room but a near overabundance of storage space if there is such a thing. The interior has cubbies, gear storage areas, a frunk, and a highly configurable bed for specific use. 

The Rivan R1T Vs. the Ford F-150

Rivian R1T cresting a ridge at sunup
Rivian R1T | Rivian

It’s probably not fair to compare these two pickups as they are very different in almost every way. However, the day will come when the Rivian R1T will certainly be pitted against the reigning champ of the truck world. 

Ford just announced the rebirth of the Ford F-150 Lightning as an electric pickup for 2023. The F-150 is the heavy-weight champion of the world. It is what it is. The Rivian R1T is positioned to be one of the coolest trucks ever made. Every aspect of the design seems to have been made to be as useful to owners as possible. 

There are only really two problems for Rivian in their quest for pickup truck dominance. The first thing is that Rivian is a startup, and it is going up against the father of the automotive industry. The second is that the Rivian R1T is a good bit more expensive than the F-150 with a launch price of $75,000 and a base price of $67,500. 

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