12 Golden Leaf-Laden Scenic Routes to Take Before Autumn Ends

Fall is here, the weather is finally cooling down, and before you know it, the leaves will be showing off all their glorious fall colors. Road trips are one of the best ways to take in this spectacular autumn color explosion. A tank full of gas, a cooler full of snacks, and a willingness to hit the road are all that you need to enjoy it. 

Wondering where you should head to see the best fall landscapes? There are plenty of fantastic places to see amazing fall foliage, but here are 12 of the best fall road trips that you can take in the USA. 

1. Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia

If you are in the southeastern US and you want to go on an incredible road trip to see a gorgeous display of bright autumn colors, head for the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia.

Start your trip on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway in North Georgia. This will take you along the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Chattahoochee River. Brasstown Bald, the highest natural point in Georgia, is the best place to stop and see the amazing fall colors. 

2. Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

Wouldn’t you love to drive through a literal tunnel of trees? What if those trees were also bursting forth with bright autumn colors? Well, Michigan has just that—a brightly colored tunnel of trees you can drive through.

This drive begins on North Lake Shore Drive, a two-lane road just outside the town of Petoskey. The road is lined with beautiful maple, oak, and birch trees on both sides. Make sure to drive slowly, and you’ll also see local wildlife, parks, and historic homes. 

3. Green Mountains, Vermont

The mountains of Vermont have the most maple trees in New England, which makes it a perfect place to go on a road trip to see fall foliage. Some of the best places to see the bright colors of fall are along the Green Mountain Byway, a 71-mile corridor that’s quite popular with leaf peepers.

The byway will take you through Waterbury, Stowe, Morristown, and several others with scenic views of farmland and historic homes tucked in among the leaves. 

4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana, might not be on the list of places you think of going on a fall road trip, but you should include it in your must-see fall destinations.

This 50-mile road takes about two hours to drive down with no stops, but you will want to stop around every curve. Wildlife is abundant, with goats, bears, and bighorn sheep sometimes even blocking the traffic. The shades of the leaves here make it look as though you are literally driving into the sun. 

Note: The road will usually close around mid-October, depending on weather conditions.

5. Park Loop Road, Maine

A road trip in Maine wouldn’t be complete without a trip around Park Loop Road. This 27-mile road winds through Acadia National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country. The road starts and ends at the Hulls Cove Visitors Center, located just north of Bar Harbor on Route 3.

Along this well-traveled yet serene route, you will see bold red, bright orange, and deep yellow leaves that have made this road so popular with fall travelers. Most of the road is only one way, but you can stop at multiple pull-offs to enjoy the scenery. 

6. Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona

Arizona might not be the first place on your fall destination guide, but if you are looking for gorgeous leaves in the southwest, it should be. Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona, is lined with maple, walnut, and oak trees whose colored leaves perfectly contrast against the bright blue open skies.

To see the leaves of Oak Creek Canyon, you will want to drive down Highway 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona. The leaves are at their peak here from mid-October to mid-November.

7. Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway in Massachusetts travels through three counties in western Massachusetts: Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire. This 69-mile drive travels east to west, and you’ll see rural farming communities, historical villages, and dense forests along the trail.

If you visit at the right time (mid to late October), you’ll see bright reds, golden yellows, and sporadic purple leaves as far as the eye can see. North Adams, one of the cities along the trail, hosts a Fall Foliage Festival each year on the first Sunday in October. 

8. Columbia River Highway, Oregon

The Columbia River Highway in Oregon is the oldest scenic highway in the US. The highway was constructed in the early 1900s along the Columbia River Gorge. When you visit in the fall, gorgeous colors to be seen on both sides of it.

The cottonwood, ash, and maple trees begin their colorful transition in mid-October. Stop to see the beauty of Multnomah, Horsetail, and Oneonta waterfalls along the way. 

9. Kancamagus Scenic Byway, New Hampshire

Kancamagus Scenic Byway (or the “Kanc” for locals) is a 34.5-mile scenic drive through some of the prettiest fall foliage in the great state of New Hampshire. This winding road takes you through part of the White Mountain National Forest, where at their peak in early to mid-October the trees look as though they are on fire with color.

Beyond the leaves, there are lots of waterfalls, covered bridges, and scenic overlooks.

10. Skyline Drive, Virginia

Skyline Drive in Virginia is a beautiful national scenic byway that winds through more than 200,000 acres of fall foliage hot spots. This 105-mile road twists, turns, and curves its way through Shenandoah National Park.

The bold, beautiful colors attract visitors from across the United States, hoping to see them in all of their glory. The best time to visit for leaf peeping is late September through the end of October. 

11. Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway, New York

Once you begin the journey down Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway, you’ll completely forget that you are just a couple of hours outside of the concrete jungle that is New York City. This 41-mile stretch of road takes you through the Northern High Peaks of the Catskill Mountains.

The leaves here, with their fiery colors, peak in mid- to late-October. Besides the leaves, waterfalls and historic landmarks dot this area around New York State. Must-stop destinations include Diamond Notch Falls, All Souls Church, Hunter Mountain, and the Hunter Mountain Firetower. 

12. The Grand Teton Loop, Wyoming 

The Grand Teton Loop in Wyoming is a 42-mile scenic drive with breathtaking views year-round that are made even better with bursts of bright fall color. The leaves of the aspen trees are vibrant against the backdrop of the Tetons and deep blue sky. 

The drive only takes about an hour and a half, but a lot longer if you hike around Jenny Lake or the other alpine lakes. Some of the most photogenic places to stop in Grand Teton are Mormon Row, Lunch Tree Hill, Snake River Overlook, and Elk Ranch Flats.

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