Looking for the perfect fall foliage road trip? Hop on one of these scenic US routes that wind through brilliant colors and exciting festivities.

BY: NICOLE HANSEN  COURTESY: THETRAVEL.COM

SUMMARY

•  Fall road trips in the US offer stunning views of colorful foliage and are perfect for adventure and nature enthusiasts.
•  The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia is a must-visit for its breathtaking fall colors and attractions like Asheville and Linville Gorge.
•  The Pacific Coast Highway in California, as well as road trips in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Louisiana, Vermont, Arkansas and Missouri, Oregon, Colorado, and the Adirondack Mountains in New York, all offer gorgeous fall scenery and memorable experiences.

At nearly 2.5 billion acres, the vast size of the US can make it hard to enjoy all the views this country has to offer. Road trips are one of the most popular ways to enjoy the natural scenery of the US, and they are particularly perfect for those looking to enjoy some fall foliage.

One of the best things about a fall road trip is that every mile of the journey is part of the adventure, with the colors of the trees turning even the most mundane stretches into a piece of art. From epic coast-to-coast road trips along I-80 to more laid-back road trips that explore the scenery of a single state, there is no corner of the US that can’t be part of the perfect adventure.

For travelers seeking America's best sights in the autumn, these are some of the most beautiful US road trips in the fall that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the States in this vibrant season.

10 Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina And Virginia

Graveyard Fields from the Blue Ridge Parkway

As a scenic byway, the Blue Ridge Parkway is managed by the National Park Service and was the most visited national park in 2022, and for good reason. There is hardly a bad time to cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, but Fall may just be the best time to take this scenic road trip thanks to the variety of colors and fall festivities along the way.

The East Coast is generally an amazing place to enjoy the fall colors, but a Fall road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway takes visitors along some of the most spectacular views. Highlights of this East Coast road trip include the city of Asheville, North Carolina, which offers a wide variety of things to do, and scenic areas like Linville Gorge and Pisgah National Forest. Those who time this trip right can also catch the Annual Craft Fair at the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Folk Art Center, which runs from October 19-22.

About The Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Asheville, North Carolina → Linville Falls Visitor Center, North Carolina → Blowing Rock, North Carolina →Waynesboro, Virginia → Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Recommended Time: 5–7 days
• States Visited: North Carolina, Virginia

While neither the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia nor the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee are technically along the Blue Ridge Parkway, both are popular inclusions for those with the time to spend at least a day exploring these exceptional Fall destinations.

 

9 Kancamagus Highway Road Trip, New Hampshire

Aerial shot of Kancamagus Highway, Conway, United States

There is no denying that when it comes to the most beautiful fall foliage in the US, the mountains of the East Coast are second to none. The Kancamagus Highway, better known as “The Kanc,” follows New Hampshire Route 112 through the stunning White Mountains.

A National Scenic Byway, this 34.5-mile route may not seem like enough road to fill out a road trip, but Fall enthusiasts will find plenty of outdoor areas to pad out a multi-day excursion. Running from Lincoln, New Hampshire, to Conway, New Hampshire, this scenic route explores popular scenic Fall areas like the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Hancock Overlook, Russell-Colbath House, and Sabbaday Falls Observation Site. Each of these stops is ideal for all ability levels, as the beautiful colors can be enjoyed right from the road or along hikes of varying difficulties.

About The Kancamagus Highway Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Lincoln → Sabbaday Falls → Russell-Colbath House → Rocky Gorge Scenic Area → Lower Falls → White Mountain National Forest → North Conway → Echo Lake State Park
• Recommended Time: 3–4 days (depending on hikes selected)
• States Visited: New Hampshire

 

8 Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip, California

Bixby Creek Bridge on Highway #1

The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, is one of the most popular road trip routes in the US in the fall (and throughout other seasons, too). The Pacific Coast Highway road trip winds through unforgettable stops along the coast from SoCal to NorCal, where travelers can enjoy the ocean waves at Big Sur or window-shop in downtown San Francisco.

The Pacific Coast Highway is also one of the best fall road trips in California. While the world-famous sequoias may not be changing color, plenty of other foliage along the road, including maples, oaks, cottonwoods, and more, are bursting with color.

Another advantage of taking this California coast road trip in the fall is the dwindling of crowds. While hotspots like San Diego and San Francisco are never exactly quiet, there is a noticeable drop in travelers during the autumn, making it ideal for those who want a little more alone time exploring the best towns to visit in California in the fall.

About The Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: San Diego → Los Angeles → Santa Barbara → San Luis Obispo → Big Sur → Carmel-by-the-Sea → San Francisco → Apple Hill, Placerville (optional inland detour)
• Recommended Time: 6–7 days
• States Visited: California

 

7 Great River Road - Mississippi River Road Trip, Minnesota To Louisiana

Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route

 

For those hoping for a little more epic fall road trip through the US, the more than 2,000-mile Great River Road along the Mississippi is just the thing. Running from Minnesota down to Louisiana, road trip travelers can enjoy the beauty of fall in some of the coziest towns in the Midwest and South.

Unlike many of the scenic Fall road trips in the US, the Great River Road is actually a series of state and local roads, many marked with less-than-obvious signage. Despite its understated nature, this route is one of the longest and oldest national scenic byways in the US and runs through some of the most picturesque parts of these less-visited states.

About The Great River Road - Mississippi River Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Minneapolis, Minnesota → La Crosse, Wisconsin → Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin → Dubuque, Iowa → Hannibal, Missouri → St. Louis, Missouri → Memphis, Tennessee → Natchez, Mississippi → Baton Rouge, Louisiana → New Orleans, Louisiana
• Recommended Time: 10–12 days
• States Visited: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana

 

6 Vermont Route 100, Massachusetts To Vermont

 

There are a number of ways to enjoy a New England road trip in the fall, but for those hoping to see some of the best autumn foliage in the region, Vermont Route 100 is unbeatable. Winding through the countryside of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, a Boston to Vermont Fall road trip along Vermont Route 100 is full of autumn colors and seasonal festivities.

Depending on when travelers make the trip, the road trip along Vermont Route 100 may include everything from apple picking in Concord, Massachusetts, to ice cream sampling at the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, Vermont. Other scenic areas like Walden Pond, also in Concord, are at their most beautiful in the fall when the bright colors of the trees reflect off the inspiring water of the pond.

About The Vermont Route 100 Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Boston, Massachusetts → Concord, Massachusetts → Lowell, Massachusetts → Manchester, New Hampshire → Ludlow, Vermont → Killington, Vermont → Waitsfield, Vermont → Waterbury, Vermont → Montepelier, Vermont → Stowe, Vermont
• Recommended Time: 5–7 days
• States Visited: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

 

5 The Ozarks Scenic Road Trip, Arkansas And Missouri

There are a number of scenic drives that show off the fall foliage in the South, but those looking to put all these afternoon outings into one grand Southern Fall road trip can wander their way through the Ozarks in Arkansas and Missouri.

The Ozark National Forest that frames the route is full of color-changing conifers, as well as Arkansas’ hidden wine country, which is in peak harvest during the Fall. Road trippers can also enjoy unique Ozark towns along the way, including Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and Branson, Missouri.

About The Ozarks Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Little Rock, Arkansas → Hot Springs, Arkansas → Mount Ida, Arkansas → Eureka Springs, Arkansas → Branson, Missouri → Springfield, Missouri → Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri → Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri → Little Rock, Arkansas
• Recommended Time: 8–10 days
• States Visited: Arkansas, Missouri (can also detour into Kansas and Tennessee)

 

4 Columbia River Highway Road Trip, Oregon

Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area in Oregon at Sunset during the Fall

Oregon is a unique blend of landscapes, with the eastern part of the state covered in desert (and one of the deepest canyons in the US besides the Grand Canyon) and the western half of the state dominated by evergreens and mountains. Neither of these regions may seem like the best place to find Fall foliage, but a unique little road trip from the Oregon Coast proves that color can be found anywhere.

The relatively short Columbia River Gorge was one of the first nationally recognized scenic byways, and the views are unparalleled all year long. Starting in Astoria, one of the best cross-country road trip stops in the US, the Columbia River Gorge, weaves along the Columbia River, which is framed by some of the most colorful foliage in the state.

Along the way, numerous waterfalls beg travelers to stop for a short hike, while educational stops like the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum keep this road trip as entertaining as it is scenic.

About The Columbia River Highway Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Astoria → Waterfall Stretch (Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls) → Hood River → The Dalles → Pendleton
• Recommended Time: 3–4 days
• States Visited: Oregon

 

 

3 Colorado Road Trip Loop, Colorado

Denver skyline on a fall morning

Colorado’s fall season peaks in September and early October, during which time the aspens, maples, and other coniferous trees that line the roads are at their best, making it the perfect time to enjoy a Colorado road trip.

Starting and ending in Denver, the Colorado Loop road trip includes some of the most scenic Fall destinations in the state, including Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Vail. Aspen groves are particularly abundant in the state, with even downtown Denver getting its share of the fall views. With such vibrant colors and festivities around every turn, the only challenge of the Colorado Route road trip is leaving one scenic stop to move on to the next.

About The Colorado Road Trip Loop

• Road Trip Outline: Denver → Vail → Glenwood Springs → Crested Butte → Telluride → Pagosa Springs → Aspen → Denver
• Recommended Time: 5–7 days
• States Visited: Colorado

 

2 Adirondack Mountains Road Trip, New York

The Adirondack Mountains in New York in the fall, showcasing beautiful fall foliage colors

New York is one of the best states for those hoping to watch the colors of fall come to life. One of the best places in New York to enjoy fall foliage is the Adirondack Mountains, which also happen to be perfect for a scenic New York road trip. With over six million acres to explore in Adirondack Park, there are nearly endless road trip routes to choose from.

Regardless of how road trippers wind their way through the mountains, certain stops are always a must. Saratoga Springs, Keene Valley, and Mount Marcy are all particularly scenic during a fall road trip through the New York Adirondacks.

About The Adirondack Mountains Road Trip

• Road Trip Outline: Albany → Lake George → Adirondack History Museum → Lake Placid → Keene Valley → Tupper Lake → Old Forge → Albany
• Recommended Time: 7–8 days
• States Visited: New York

 

1 Midwest Road Trip Loop, Indiana, Kentucky, And Tennessee

Cataract Covered Bridge in Indiana surrounded by fall foliage in the autumn, USA

The Midwest is full of underrated destinations that are perfect for a fall road trip. The Midwest Road Trip Loop highlights unique destinations like Parke County in Indiana, which has plenty of things to do in the Fall, as well as the scenic wooded areas of Kentucky and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee.

Those hoping for a Fall Midwest road trip that includes the region’s fall festivals can time their visit with the Parke County, Indiana Covered Bridge Festival, which runs from October 13-22, or Gatlinburg, Tennessee Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, which hosts events throughout September and October. With beautiful fall foliage and unique festivities around every corner, there is no doubt that the Midwest Road Trip Loop is one of the best fall road trips in the US.

About The Midwest Road Trip Loop

• Road Trip Outline: Chicago, Illinois → Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, Indiana → Parke County, Indiana → Indianapolis, Indiana → Louisville, Kentucky → Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky → Nashville, Tennessee → Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee → Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Recommended Time: 8–10 days
• States Visited: Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

 

BY: NICOLE HANSEN  COURTESY: THETRAVEL.COM