Getting here
A car is the practical way to reach Grafton and explore beyond Main Street. I-91, Bellows Falls, Chester, and the regional airports offer different approaches to the final two-lane roads.
Road, rail, and airport approaches
Compare Bellows Falls rail and interstate access, the Chester approach, and Bradley International Airport before choosing the final two-lane route. A car is needed beyond the village center.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, coolers, emergency kits, chargers, packing pieces, and glovebox backup for scenic drives and weekend routes.
Car Phone Mounts
$25.58
Road Trip Coolers
$275.00
Car Emergency Kits
$49.99
Bellows Falls is the nearest interstate and rail gateway. Route 121 follows the Williams River through Saxtons River toward Grafton. Amtrak can reach Bellows Falls, but onward transportation is limited; arrange a rental car or pickup before booking the train.
Bradley International near Hartford is the most direct major-airport approach from the south. Manchester-Boston, Boston Logan, and Albany can make sense within a larger New England route; none eliminates the need for a car in Grafton.
Route 35 connects Chester with Grafton. Travelers staying or dining in Chester still face rural final miles that are dark after sunset.
Check New England 511 before snow, flooding, or major storms. Spring mud season can soften dirt roads, and a navigation app's shortest route is not always the best route for a low-clearance car.