Bristol RI to Block Island RI: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

Your drive from Bristol, RI to Block Island, RI covers only about 12 miles of road but ends with a 12-mile ferry crossing. The route begins at the intersection of Hope Street and Thames Street, where the 1680s colonial grid meets the Narragansett Bay. Unlike most coastal drives, this trip swaps highway miles for sea legs.

The key fact: Block Island was never connected by bridge because the channel depth exceeds 60 feet, making a fixed link prohibitively expensive. This quirk means your car will spend more time on a ferry (about 55 minutes) than on pavement.

To make the most of the journey, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The mainland route is entirely on two-lane roads with speed limits of 25-45 mph. The main hazard is the dense summer traffic, especially around the ferry terminal. Parking at Point Judith is a bottleneck – the terminal lot holds 1,200 cars but fills by 9 AM.

On Block Island, narrow roads and moped traffic require caution. Speed limits rarely exceed 25 mph. Headlights are recommended even during the day due to fog.

• Road quality: Good, but rural edges can have potholes
• Moped rental: ~$60/day, requires a license
• Bike rental: ~$35/day, best for exploring

For families: the car ride is short. The ferry has a sundeck and indoor seats, but no playground. The Block Island Children's Museum (open weekends) has interactive exhibits. The best family beach is Mansion Beach, with gentle waves and a snack bar.

• Baby-changing stations: At the ferry terminal, limited on island
• Stroller-friendly: Boardwalk at Crescent Beach
• Kid-friendly restaurants: The Nordic (pizza), Ernie's (burgers)

Pet-friendly framework: Most ferries allow dogs on deck for a small fee. On the island, dogs must be leashed. The Mohegan Bluffs stairs are too steep for dogs. The Clay Head Trail allows dogs on leash, and there is a dog beach on the north end.

• Pet fee on ferry: $15 per dog round trip
• Dog-friendly eateries: The Oar (outdoor seating)
• Veterinarian: Block Island Animal Clinic, open Wed & Sat

Fatigue management: The drive is short, but the ferry wait can be long. The best rest stop is the Galilee Town Beach park, a block from the terminal, with benches and shade. On the island, benches dot the Greenway trails. The Spring House Hotel's porch offers rocking chairs.

• Rest benches: Old Harbor waterfront, near the ferry dock
• Quiet zones: Northeast coast (Settler's Rock)
• Public restrooms: At ferry terminal, Ballard's, and town beach

Block Island's 17 miles of beaches are dominated by dramatic clay bluffs at Mohegan Bluffs, rising 200 feet above the Atlantic. The Mohegan Bluffs are accessible via a long staircase from the beach. The island's interior is cut by 30 miles of stone walls, marking 19th-century farm boundaries.

The Rodman's Hollow conservation area offers a wild, glacially-carved ravine with hiking trails. Near the North Light, the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge shelters migratory birds including the Piping Plover.

• Beaches: Crescent Beach, Ballard's Beach, Mansion Beach
• Hiking: Greenway trails (25 miles), Rodman's Hollow loop
• Historic lighthouses: North Light (1829), Southeast Light (1875)

Local commerce clusters in Old Harbor, where 26 restaurants and 10 ice cream shops line Water Street. The seasonal five-and-dime, Sundog, sells local artisan goods. The Block Island Historical Society Museum (open July-August) sits in a Captain's house.

• Must-try food: Block Island swordfish, clam chowder at the Oar
• Art galleries: Island Gallery, Spring Street Gallery
• Farm stands: Many on Corn Neck Road for fresh produce

You depart Bristol via RI-114 south, which becomes Main Road in Portsmouth. Continue straight through the roundabout at the intersection of RI-138 and RI-138A. After 8.5 miles, you'll reach the Port of Galilee in Narragansett, the main ferry terminal for Block Island.

The drive itself is only 12 miles, but timing matters. The first ferry departs at 8:00 AM, and the last return at 5:30 PM (seasonal). Reservations are required for vehicles; walk-ons can buy tickets dockside.

• Route: RI-114 S → RI-138 S → Galilee Road
• Driving time: 20-30 minutes
• Ferry crossing: 55 minutes (Pt. Judith to Old Harbor)

Car reservations often sell out weeks ahead, especially from June to August. The ferry holds about 60 cars per crossing. Walk-on passengers have no capacity limit.

• Vehicle fare (round trip): $85–$110
• Passenger fare (round trip): $25

Block Island has only 30 miles of paved roads, mostly single-lane. Gas stations are scarce: the only station is on Ocean Avenue near Old Harbor, open 7 AM–7 PM. Plan your fuel stops on the mainland.

• Gas stations before ferry: Gulf (Narragansett), Shell (Wakefield)
• On the island: Block Island Fuel (open seasonally)