One-tank road trips: Save gas on getaways off Long Island
Northampton. Mass., has a walkable downtown, with independent bookstores, record shops, cafes and live music venues. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/DenisTangneyJr
With gas prices top of mind and travel demand building ahead of summer, shorter road trips are becoming more strategic. (Gas is hovering around $4.50 a gallon).
A good rule of thumb is 300 to 450 miles round trip on a single tank, depending on your vehicle.
These three destinations offer strong food scenes, plenty to do and just enough distance to feel like a getaway without stretching your gas budget.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
175 miles round trip
New Hope, set along the Delaware River, combines small-town walkability with a strong arts and nightlife scene. It also connects easily to Lambertville, New Jersey, just across the bridge, effectively giving visitors two towns in one trip.
New Hope is a walkable small town with a strong arts scene. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
The main appeal is density. In a few walkable blocks you can find galleries, antique stores, independent boutiques, live music and a steady restaurant scene that stays active well into the evening. The Bucks County Playhouse (70 S. Main St., bcptheater.org, 215-862-2121) anchors the performing arts calendar with theater productions throughout the year. Shows to catch this summer include "South Pacific" (June 18-July 26) and "Rent" (Aug. 13-Sept. 13).
History is close by and becoming more relevant heading into the semiquincentennial. Washington Crossing Historic Park (1112 River Rd, washingtoncrossingpark.org, 215-493-4076) sits about 10 minutes away and marks the site of George Washington’s 1776 Delaware River crossing.
Washington Crossing Historic Park marks the site of George Washington's 1776 crossing of the Delaware River. Credit: Newsday/Jessica Asbury
Beyond history, the Delaware Canal towpath offers biking and walking routes along the river, while kayak rentals in warmer months add another way to experience the landscape.
- Eat: Karla's Restaurant & Bar (5 W. Mechanic St., karlasnewhope.com, 215-862-2612); Stella of New Hope (50 S. Main St., stellanewhope.com, 267-740-2691); The Salt House (7 E. Ferry St., thesalthouse.com, 267-740-7908)
- Stay: Logan Inn (10 W. Ferry St., loganinn.com, 215-862-2300), rates start at $250 per night; Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn (11 Bridge St., lambertvillestation.com, 609-397-4400), rates start at $400 per night.
- Know before you go: Parking in town fills quickly on weekends. Many visitors park in Lambertville and walk across the bridge.
Hudson, New York
250 miles round trip
Hudson has become one of the Hudson Valley’s most reliable small-city escapes, with a strong mix of design, dining and access to nature and historic sites.
Warren Street is the center of gravity. It runs for several blocks and is lined with antique stores, art galleries, bookstores and restaurants, making it easy to spend an entire day on foot without needing a car once you arrive.
What sets Hudson apart is what surrounds it. Olana State Historic Site (5720 NY-9G, olana.org, 518-751-0344), the former home of painter Frederic Church, sits just outside town and offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. The property blends landscape, architecture and art history in a way that's becoming increasingly relevant as regional heritage tourism grows.
Olana State Historic Site, the former home of painter Frederic Church, sits just outside town and offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. Credit: AP/Mike Groll
Nearby, visitors can explore farm stands, wineries and hiking trails throughout Columbia County. The Hudson River waterfront also offers parks and seasonal events that bring the riverfront back into focus.
- Eat: Bubba's Biscuit Bar (749 Columbia St., bubbasbiscuitbar.com, 518-828-0015); Via Cassia (214 Warren St., viacassiahudson.com, 838-667-4338); Feast & Floret (13 S. Third St., feastandfloret.com, 518-822-1500)
- Stay: Nautical Nest Hudson (12 City Hall Pl., nauticalnesthudson.com, 518-302-9400), rates start at $149 per night; Hudson Whaler (542 Warren St., hudsonwhaler.com, 518-217-4334), rates start at $199 per night.
- Know before you go: Dinner reservations are strongly recommended on weekends, and parking on Warren Street can take time during peak hours.
Northampton, Massachusetts
320 miles round trip
A progressive college town in the Pioneer Valley, Northampton has a steady cultural pull that makes it feel larger than its size. Anchored by Smith College, the downtown is compact and walkable, with independent bookstores, record shops, cafes and live music venues all within a few blocks.
The draw is how easily the day fills up. Mornings can start at Smith College Botanic Garden (16 College Lane, garden.smith.edu, 413-585-2742) or the Smith College Museum of Art (20 Elm St., scma.smith.edu, 413-585-2760), both free and open to the public. From there, downtown browsing takes over, with strong used bookstores, vintage shops and rotating pop-ups inside Thornes Marketplace (150 Main St., thornesmarketplace.com, 413-650-5928). At night, venues like Iron Horse Music Hall (18 Center St., ironhorse.org, 413-200-0425) keep a steady calendar of touring acts and local performers.
Visitors take in the permanent collection at Smith College Museum of Art. Credit: Derek Fowles Photography
It also works as a base for the wider Pioneer Valley. Within a short drive are hiking trails in the Holyoke Range, farm stands and small wineries that lean into the region’s agricultural identity.
- Eat: Jake's (17 King St., jakesnorthampton.com, 413-584-9613); Homestead (7 Strong Ave., eathomestead.com, 413-586-0502); Paul and Elizabeth's (150 Main St., paulandelizabeths.com, 413-584-4832)
- Stay: Hotel Northampton (36 King St., hotelnorthampton.com, 413-584-3100), rates start at $235 per night.
- Know before you go: Summer weekends often bring festivals and events, which can tighten hotel availability quickly.
