Best Fall Road Trips in the USA: 15 Scenic Drives for an Epic Autumn Getaway
There’s just something about a fall road trip that hits differently.
The air gets cooler, the crowds start thinning out, roadside stands suddenly have apple cider everything, and ordinary highways turn into tunnels of red, orange, yellow and gold.
And if you’re anything like me, a road trip isn’t about racing from Point A to Point B. Half the fun is pulling over at scenic overlooks, finding waterfalls, wandering through little towns, grabbing something good to eat and discovering places you never planned on stopping.
If you’re looking for the best fall road trips in the USA, these 15 scenic drives deserve a spot on your autumn bucket list.
When Is the Best Time for a Fall Road Trip?
Peak fall color varies dramatically depending on where you’re traveling.
Generally, northern destinations begin changing first in late September and early October, while southern destinations can remain colorful well into late October and November.
Elevation matters too. For example, along the nearly 470-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, leaves typically begin changing at higher elevations before the color works its way downhill. The National Park Service notes that exact peak dates are impossible to predict because temperatures, rainfall, elevation and other environmental factors all play a role. National Park Service
So don’t get too obsessed with hitting the exact “peak” weekend.
A fall road trip a little before or after peak foliage can still be absolutely gorgeous—and often a whole lot less crowded.
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1. Blue Ridge Parkway — Virginia & North Carolina
Distance: About 469 miles
Best fall timing: October into early November
Best for: Mountains, overlooks, hiking and long road trips
If you’re putting together a fall road trip bucket list, the Blue Ridge Parkway absolutely belongs on it.
Running between Virginia and North Carolina, the parkway connects the Shenandoah area with the Great Smoky Mountains and gives you mile after mile of mountain ridges, overlooks, forests and small-town detours.
Fall color generally begins at the higher elevations before moving lower throughout October. National Park Service
This isn’t a road I’d recommend rushing through. Take a few days and stop often.
Don’t Miss
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Boone
- Grandfather Mountain
- Looking Glass Falls
- Mount Mitchell
- Scenic overlooks along the parkway
- Nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This drive is also already featured in my guide to the 10 Best Scenic Drives in the US.
2. Kancamagus Highway — New Hampshire
Distance: About 34 miles
Best fall timing: Late September through early October
Best for: Classic New England foliage
If you’re chasing those ridiculously beautiful New England fall colors you see all over Instagram and Pinterest, head for the Kancamagus Highway.
Often simply called “The Kanc,” this scenic highway winds through New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
There are no big commercial strips breaking up the scenery. Instead, you’ll find forests, mountain views, rivers, waterfalls and overlooks.
Don’t Miss
- Albany Covered Bridge
- Sabbaday Falls
- Rocky Gorge
- Lower Falls
- Hancock Overlook
And remember to fill up the gas tank before you start exploring. This is one road where the scenery takes center stage.
3. Vermont Route 100 — Vermont
Distance: More than 200 miles if you drive a large portion of the route
Best fall timing: Late September through mid-October
Best for: Small towns, covered bridges and quintessential New England
Few places scream fall road trip quite like Vermont.
Route 100 runs through the Green Mountains past villages, farms, rivers, covered bridges and some seriously beautiful foliage.
One particularly scenic section runs through central Vermont near Stowe and the Mad River Valley, where mountain scenery mixes with farm country and charming little communities.
Don’t Miss
- Stowe
- Waterbury
- Waitsfield
- Warren
- Covered bridges
- Local cider mills
- Roadside farm stands
Leave plenty of extra time because I can pretty much guarantee you’ll want to pull over constantly.
4. Skyline Drive — Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Distance: About 105 miles
Best fall timing: October
Best for: Wildlife, overlooks and easy mountain scenery
Skyline Drive runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Shenandoah National Park.
It’s one of those drives where you can get incredible fall views without having to hike ten miles to find them.
There are dozens of overlooks along the route, so pack snacks, fill your travel mug and make a day of it.
Watch For
- Deer
- Wild turkeys
- Black bears
- Sweeping Shenandoah Valley views
You can also connect Skyline Drive with the Blue Ridge Parkway for one seriously epic fall road trip.
5. North Shore Scenic Drive — Minnesota
Distance: Roughly 150 miles from Duluth toward Grand Portage
Best fall timing: Late September through early October
Best for: Waterfalls, Lake Superior and Midwest road trips
Okay, Minnesota gets some bragging rights here.
Highway 61 along Lake Superior’s North Shore is stunning any time of year, but fall takes it to another level.
You’ve got Lake Superior on one side, colorful forests on the other and waterfall after waterfall along the way.
For me, this isn’t just another pretty highway. It’s one of those drives that reminds you how gorgeous Minnesota really is.
I’ve spent plenty of time traveling Highway 61, including around Silver Creek Cliff and its incredible Lake Superior views.
Don’t Miss
- Duluth
- Two Harbors
- Gooseberry Falls
- Split Rock Lighthouse
- Silver Bay
- Tettegouche State Park
- Temperance River
- Lutsen
- Grand Marais
And because food is absolutely part of a road trip in my book, leave room for North Shore restaurants, bakeries and local smoked fish.
6. Columbia River Gorge — Oregon
Distance: Around 70 miles for a classic scenic route
Best fall timing: Mid-to-late October
Best for: Waterfalls
Waterfall lovers, this one’s for you.
The Historic Columbia River Highway winds through Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and combines fall foliage with cliffs, overlooks and some of the Pacific Northwest’s most famous waterfalls.
One of the biggest attractions is Multnomah Falls, which drops roughly 620 feet.
Don’t Miss
- Multnomah Falls
- Crown Point
- Vista House
- Latourell Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Hood River
If your perfect road trip involves chasing waterfalls, put this one near the top of the list.
7. Door County Coastal Byway — Wisconsin
Best fall timing: Late September through mid-October
Best for: Small towns, shoreline and Midwest weekend trips
Wisconsin’s Door County is perfect when you want a fall getaway without committing to some monster cross-country road trip.
You’ll get colorful forests, Lake Michigan shoreline, little towns, lighthouses, orchards and plenty of places to eat.
Stop In
- Sturgeon Bay
- Egg Harbor
- Fish Creek
- Ephraim
- Sister Bay
- Peninsula State Park
I also have an entire Door County Road Trip guide on That Traveling Chick that makes a great companion when you’re planning this trip.
8. Great Smoky Mountains Scenic Drives — Tennessee & North Carolina
Best fall timing: Mid-October through early November
Best for: Mountain scenery, wildlife and waterfalls
The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the country’s most popular places to experience fall, and there’s a reason.
Because elevations vary so much throughout the park, the fall color season can stretch over several weeks.
Instead of choosing just one road, you can make an entire fall getaway out of several.
Scenic Drives to Try
Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile one-way loop surrounded by mountains, historic buildings and wildlife habitat. The National Park Service recommends allowing roughly two to four hours because traffic—especially during fall—can move slowly.
Also consider:
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Foothills Parkway
- Newfound Gap Road
- Lakeview Drive
The National Park Service warns that popular areas such as Cades Cove and Roaring Fork can become especially congested during autumn, so earlier or later in the day can be a better choice.
If you’re staying nearby, check out my guide to the 25 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg and my 25 Amazing Things to Do in Pigeon Forge.
9. Upper Peninsula Scenic Drives — Michigan
Best fall timing: Late September through early October
Best for: Waterfalls, forests and uncrowded outdoor adventures
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula feels like it was made for fall.
Massive forests turn orange, yellow and red while waterfalls tumble through rocky gorges and Lake Superior stretches out beyond the trees.
Consider building a road trip around:
- Marquette
- Munising
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Tahquamenon Falls
- Porcupine Mountains
- Keweenaw Peninsula
Give yourself several days here.
The U.P. looks deceptively small on a map. It isn’t.
10. Going-to-the-Sun Road — Glacier National Park, Montana
Distance: About 50 miles
Best fall timing: September, weather permitting
Best for: Huge mountain scenery
Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of those drives that makes you repeatedly say, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Mountains tower above you while the road twists through Glacier National Park past valleys, waterfalls and alpine scenery.
But fall comes with one major catch.
Weather can shut portions of the road down, so always check current conditions before making this the centerpiece of your trip.
If conditions cooperate, early fall can be spectacular—and noticeably quieter than peak summer.
11. Trail Ridge Road — Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Distance: About 48 miles
Best fall timing: September into early October, depending on weather
Best for: Aspens, elk and mountain scenery
Colorado doesn’t need maples to put on a fall show.
Its aspens turn brilliant shades of yellow and gold, especially against dark evergreen forests and rugged mountains.
Trail Ridge Road cuts through Rocky Mountain National Park and climbs to elevations above 12,000 feet.
Fall Bonus
September also coincides with elk rutting season, so you may hear bull elk bugling through the valleys.
Just remember: high elevation means winter weather can arrive very early.
12. San Juan Skyway — Colorado
Distance: Roughly 230 miles
Best fall timing: Late September through early October
Best for: Mountain towns and dramatic scenery
If the Trail Ridge Road sounds good but you want a longer adventure, check out southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Skyway.
This loop connects some fantastic mountain towns while winding past towering peaks and golden aspens.
Stop In
- Durango
- Silverton
- Ouray
- Telluride
The section known as the Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray is especially famous.
It’s gorgeous.
It’s also not the place to be sightseeing while you’re behind the wheel.
Let your passenger handle the gawking.
13. Cascade Loop — Washington
Distance: Roughly 400 miles
Best fall timing: Late September through October
Best for: A multi-day Pacific Northwest adventure
Washington’s Cascade Loop is less of a quick scenic drive and more of a full road-trip vacation.
The route takes you through mountains, forests, valleys, rivers, little towns and changing landscapes.
It’s also included in my 10 Best Scenic Drives in the US.
Consider Stops Around
- Leavenworth
- Wenatchee
- North Cascades
- Winthrop
- Whidbey Island
Leavenworth is especially fun in fall when the Bavarian-style town feels like it belongs in the mountains of Europe.
14. Grand Loop Road — Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Distance: Roughly 140 miles
Best fall timing: September into early October
Best for: Wildlife and national park lovers
Most people think of Yellowstone as a summer destination.
I actually think fall deserves a whole lot more attention.
Cooler temperatures, changing vegetation and fewer peak-summer visitors can make September a fantastic time to explore.
The Grand Loop Road connects many of Yellowstone’s best-known attractions and is one of the easiest ways to experience a huge portion of the park. My Yellowstone guide notes that driving the entire loop can easily take several hours once stops are included. Check out my web story about Yellowstone.
Don’t Miss
- Old Faithful
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Yellowstone Lake
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Lamar Valley
And wildlife?
That’s one of my favorite parts of Yellowstone.
Give bison plenty of room. They own the road. You don’t.
15. Lake Tahoe to Yosemite — California
Best fall timing: September through October
Best for: Mountains, lakes and national parks
If you want something different from the traditional red-and-orange New England foliage trip, combine Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.
Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer summer crowds and beautiful mountain scenery.
You can turn this into a multi-day California road trip with time around Tahoe before continuing toward Yosemite.
I’ve already put together a complete Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary if you’re considering this route.
Just remember that high-elevation roads around Yosemite can close when snow arrives, so always check current road conditions before leaving.
Quick Look: Best Fall Road Trips in the USA
| Scenic Drive | State(s) | Typical Fall Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Parkway | VA/NC | October–early November | Mountain foliage |
| Kancamagus Highway | NH | Late Sept.–early Oct. | New England color |
| Vermont Route 100 | VT | Late Sept.–mid-Oct. | Covered bridges |
| Skyline Drive | VA | October | Overlooks & wildlife |
| North Shore Highway 61 | MN | Late Sept.–early Oct. | Lake Superior & waterfalls |
| Columbia River Gorge | OR | Mid–late October | Waterfalls |
| Door County | WI | Late Sept.–mid-Oct. | Small towns |
| Great Smoky Mountains | TN/NC | Mid-Oct.–early Nov. | Mountains & wildlife |
| Michigan Upper Peninsula | MI | Late Sept.–early Oct. | Forests & waterfalls |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road | MT | September | Alpine scenery |
| Trail Ridge Road | CO | September | Aspens & elk |
| San Juan Skyway | CO | Late Sept.–early Oct. | Mountain towns |
| Cascade Loop | WA | Sept.–Oct. | Multi-day adventure |
| Yellowstone Grand Loop | WY | Sept.–early Oct. | Wildlife |
| Tahoe to Yosemite | CA | Sept.–Oct. | National parks |
Important: These are general seasonal windows, not guaranteed peak-color dates. Fall color changes each year depending on weather, elevation and location.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Fall Road Trip
Don’t Plan Around One Exact Peak Date
Fall colors aren’t an appointment.
Give yourself a window rather than expecting every tree to magically peak on one Saturday afternoon.
Book Popular Areas Early
Stowe, Gatlinburg, Asheville, Door County and other leaf-peeping destinations can fill up fast during fall weekends.
Travel During the Week
If your schedule allows it, a Tuesday through Thursday road trip can mean fewer cars, easier restaurant stops and less fighting for parking.
Pack Layers
Fall road trips can mean 70 degrees in the afternoon and 35 degrees the next morning.
Been there.
Bring the sweatshirt.
Download Maps Ahead of Time
Some of the prettiest roads in America also have some of the crappiest cell service in America.
Funny how that works.
Download offline maps before leaving.
Bring Food and Water
Not every scenic road has gas stations, restaurants or convenience stores every ten miles.
The Kancamagus Highway is a perfect example.
Check Road Conditions
This is especially important in:
- Glacier National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Colorado’s high country
- Washington’s mountain passes
Fall can turn into winter surprisingly fast.
What Should You Pack for a Fall Road Trip?
A few things I always think are worth having:
- Refillable water bottle
- Travel coffee mug
- Cooler
- Snacks
- Portable phone charger
- Car charger
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight jacket
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable shoes
- Blanket
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Small first-aid kit
- Emergency roadside kit
And yes, snacks get their own line.
Road trips without snacks are just long drives. You can find many of these on my Amazon store.
Turn Your Fall Drive Into a Real Getaway
One of the biggest mistakes people make with scenic drives is trying to cram everything into one day.
Slow down.
Stay overnight in the small town.
Eat at the local restaurant.
Stop at the waterfall.
Walk through the little downtown.
Buy the apple cider doughnut.
Take the ridiculous number of pictures.
The whole point of a fall road trip is enjoying what’s between the destinations.
Which Fall Road Trip Would You Choose?
From Vermont’s covered bridges and Minnesota’s Lake Superior shoreline to Colorado’s golden aspens and Oregon’s waterfalls, you could spend years chasing autumn across the country.
And I’m completely okay with that idea.
I’ve done plenty of road trips around the United States, and they continually remind me that you don’t always have to fly somewhere exotic to have an amazing adventure.
Sometimes all you need is a full tank of gas, a good playlist and somewhere beautiful to point the vehicle.
So now I want to know:
If you could take ONE of these fall road trips tomorrow, which one are you choosing?
Want more?
Check out the Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall and get out and see those beautiful colors.
