Crisp air, colorful leaves, and winding roads make autumn the perfect season for a scenic road trip. Whether you’re cruising along coastal highways or winding through mountains, these picturesque routes showcase nature’s stunning fall palette. From golden forests to breathtaking vistas, each destination promises a memorable journey filled with vibrant landscapes and cozy stops along the way. Grab your camera, pack some snacks, and get ready to explore the beauty of autumn through these unforgettable routes.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina to Virginia
The Blue Ridge Parkway is often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” and for good reason. Spanning 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, this route offers stunning panoramic views of rolling mountains covered in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows during fall. The road itself has gentle curves, perfect for relaxed drives. You’ll find plenty of scenic overlooks to pause and soak in the autumnal beauty, as well as hiking trails leading to waterfalls and serene forests.
Vermont’s Route 100
Route 100, running through the heart of Vermont, is a quintessential New England autumn road trip. Known for its charming small towns, farm stands, and covered bridges, this route showcases the state’s famous sugar maples in their peak autumn hues. As you travel, you’ll see beautiful stretches of woodland, rolling hills, and valleys bursting with vibrant foliage, making it an ideal trip for photographers and nature lovers alike.
The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Stretching 34 miles through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Kancamagus Highway is a beloved autumn destination. The route winds through dense forests and mountainous terrain, with countless spots for leaf-peeping and roadside picnics. Popular stops include the Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, and Sabbaday Falls, each surrounded by brilliant fall colors that make this short but breathtaking drive unforgettable.
Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana
Following the Mississippi River, the Great River Road offers over 3,000 miles of scenic views, with some of the best autumn scenery in the Midwest. The route takes travelers through forests, bluffs, and riverside towns, with golden and crimson trees lining the water’s edge. Starting in Minnesota, you can travel as far south as Louisiana, experiencing a variety of landscapes, historical sites, and local festivals celebrating the season.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi to Tennessee
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive with historical significance and natural beauty, especially during autumn. This route follows a path used by Native Americans and early explorers, with forests, meadows, and rivers showing off a spectacular palette of fall colors. The Parkway is free of commercial traffic, making it a peaceful, uninterrupted journey through some of the South’s most beautiful scenery.
Skyline Drive, Virginia
Running 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive is a must-see for autumn road trippers. The route is famous for its mountain views and vibrant foliage, with over 70 scenic overlooks along the way. You’ll encounter stunning colors, from golden yellows to deep burgundies, as you wind through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park’s numerous hiking trails also allow for closer exploration of the vibrant fall landscapes.
Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin
This 66-mile loop through Door County, Wisconsin, offers incredible lake views, charming towns, and forests that come alive with color in the fall. Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Door County boasts apple orchards, lighthouses, and scenic bays, with plenty of stops for tasting local wines, ciders, and seasonal treats. The drive also offers access to several state parks for those looking to immerse themselves further in nature.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula in Michigan is a hidden gem for fall foliage enthusiasts. Take the M-22 route along Lake Michigan for a stunning combination of water views and autumn colors, or head to the Porcupine Mountains for hiking and panoramic views. With its abundant waterfalls, remote wilderness, and crisp lakeside air, the Upper Peninsula offers a quiet, scenic escape from crowded fall destinations.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Stretching along the Oregon-Washington border, the Columbia River Gorge is a fall spectacle with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and foliage. The Historic Columbia River Highway offers breathtaking viewpoints, including the Vista House and Multnomah Falls, framed by fiery maples and golden aspens. As you drive, the contrasts between the gorge’s lush greenery and autumnal colors create stunning scenes worth stopping for.
Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas
This 35-mile route through the Ozark National Forest offers a peaceful drive with beautiful fall colors in every direction. Known for its rugged landscape, the Ozarks feature rocky bluffs, thick forests, and streams surrounded by brilliant reds and oranges in autumn. The area is ideal for hiking and camping, providing a more immersive experience of Arkansas’s natural beauty during peak fall season.
Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee to North Carolina
The Smoky Mountains National Park is a renowned fall destination with a variety of scenic drives, including the Newfound Gap Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Each route winds through forests rich in sugar maples, hickories, and oaks, creating a tapestry of colors from late September to early November. The park’s high elevations offer stunning overlooks and opportunities to see the famous “smoky” mist that gives the mountains their name.
Adirondack Park, New York
Spanning over six million acres, Adirondack Park in upstate New York is a haven for autumn foliage. Routes like the Olympic Byway and Lake Placid Loop offer breathtaking views of lakes, mountains, and colorful forests. Charming towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake provide ideal spots to rest and explore, while local trails and lakes offer further opportunities to immerse in the fall scenery.
Black River Scenic Byway, Michigan
Located in the Ottawa National Forest, this 11-mile drive along the Black River in Michigan is short but filled with beauty. The route winds through dense forests to reach several scenic waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls and Gorge Falls, framed by vibrant fall leaves. The byway also provides access to Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline, offering striking contrasts between blue water and colorful autumn trees.
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 83-mile loop through northern New Mexico that surprises with its vivid fall foliage. Starting in Taos, the route circles Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest mountain, passing through aspen groves that turn golden in autumn. The high desert landscape and mountain vistas create a unique and breathtaking fall experience unlike typical forested drives.
Utah’s Alpine Loop
The Alpine Loop in Utah stretches for 20 miles through the Wasatch Mountains, winding past spectacular views of Mount Timpanogos. The narrow, winding road is lined with aspens that glow in shades of yellow and orange during fall, making for an unforgettable drive. The route also passes through Provo Canyon, offering views of Bridal Veil Falls and several hiking trails for those who want to explore more.
Lake Superior Circle Tour, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario
The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a 1,300-mile journey around the largest of the Great Lakes, offering a vast array of autumn landscapes. The route passes through dense forests, rocky coastlines, and charming lakeside towns, each featuring unique fall colors. From the Porcupine Mountains to Minnesota’s North Shore, this tour is ideal for those seeking a longer, scenic adventure through the best of autumn.
Pennsylvania’s Route 6
Route 6 in Pennsylvania is a historic road that takes travelers through quaint towns, rolling hills, and forests bursting with color in the fall. The route spans 400 miles across the northern part of the state, passing scenic areas like the Pocono Mountains and the Endless Mountains. Small towns along the way offer cozy inns and antique shops, making it a charming and leisurely fall road trip.
Cascade Loop, Washington
The Cascade Loop is a 440-mile journey through Washington’s mountains, valleys, and farmlands, offering diverse fall scenery. Starting in Seattle, the route takes you through the Cascade Mountains, where golden and red foliage contrasts against snowy peaks. Popular stops include the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth and Lake Chelan, where vineyards and orchards add to the autumn charm.
Texas Hill Country, Texas
The Texas Hill Country offers a unique fall foliage experience, with scenic drives through rolling hills, rivers, and wildflower-filled meadows. The route takes you through charming towns like Fredericksburg, where you can explore wineries and sample local cuisine. Vibrant colors from maple, cypress, and oak trees create a beautiful contrast against the rugged Texas landscape, offering a warm-weather autumn getaway.
Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee to North Carolina
The Cherohala Skyway stretches 43 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, offering stunning views of fall foliage at high elevations. Known for its peaceful, winding roads and panoramic overlooks, the Skyway is a favorite among road-trippers seeking uninterrupted autumn scenery. The route reaches elevations of over 5,000 feet, providing sweeping views of forests blanketed in brilliant reds and oranges.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
More from UnifyCosmos
20 Energizing Workout Routines Perfect for Your Living Room
With a variety of routines available, you can stay fit without ever leaving your living room. From strength training to cardio, there’s something for everyone. Let’s explore some enjoyable workout routines that you can easily do at home. Read more!
22 Things to Look Out for When Hiring a Personal Trainer
From their experience to communication style, knowing what to look out for will help you make an informed decision. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right trainer for you. Read more!
16 Overnight Beauty Treatments for a Fresh Morning Glow
By applying the right products before bed, you can wake up with refreshed, radiant skin thatâs ready to face the day. Read more!
Leave a Reply