The Best Fall Foliage Road Trips in the US
From the rolling hills of New England to the scenic byways of the Rockies, the season offers unforgettable drives through nature's most colorful show.
Best fall road trips for late September
🚗 200 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes
Central Vermont
Discover the heart of Vermont along Route 100. This scenic drive meanders through charming small towns, lush forests and rolling hills, offering stunning fall views.
Highlights include stops at quaint villages like Stowe, Waterbury and Weston, with plenty of chances for hiking, local shopping, and covered bridges.
🚗 315 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 52 minutes
Central Colorado
Reach new heights on the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. This amazing road trip takes you through Colorado's highest peaks, with alpine views, charming mining towns.
Must-see stops include the historic town of Leadville, beautiful Twin Lakes, and world-famous Aspen.
🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours
Western New Hampshire
Experience the rugged beauty of New England on the White Mountains Trail. This loop takes you through lush forests, past waterfalls, and along dramatic mountain views.
Notable highlights include Franconia Notch, the Kancamagus Highway, and the Mount Washington Auto Road.
Best fall road trips for early October
🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes
Coastal Maine
This beautiful drive features stunning views of the ocean and spectacular Acadia National Park. Enjoy granite cliffs, sweeping ocean vistas and colorful fall scenery.
The loop will take you to Cadillac Mountain and Bubble Rock, which are particularly beautiful in the fall.
🚗 25 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes
Southwest Colorado
Dare to drive one of the most thrilling roads in the U.S. on the Million Dollar Highway. This dramatic route takes you through stunning areas including Bear Creek Falls and Red Mountain Pass.
Make sure to also stop for a taste of the Old West at Yankee Girl Mine and Colorado Boy Mine on the way.
🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours
Minnesota North Shore
Follow the iconic Highway 61 along the shores of Lake Superior for some of Minnesota's most stunning scenery. This route offers breathtaking lakeside views, lighthouses, and charming small towns.
Don't miss Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, and the scenic cliffs of Palisade Head.
Best fall road trips for mid-October
🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes
Western Maine
Travel through the foothills of the White Mountains. This beautiful route winds through picturesque villages, covered bridges, and riverside views.
Stop in Fryeburg or Cornish for local crafts, antiques, and charming eateries.
🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 50 minutes
Northern Michigan
This scenic drive hugs the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, passing through vineyards, sand dunes, and welcoming small towns.
On the way, you can visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leland's Fishtown, and the pretty Glen Lake.
🚗 975 miles ⏱️ 20 hours, 20 minutes
National Parks of Utah
This amazing loop drive connects the stunning landscapes of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks.
This bucket-list-worthy road trip features awe-inspiring red rock formations and canyon vistas. It's the perfect fall adventure.
Best fall road trips for late October
🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes
Kentucky
Make your way through the Daniel Boone National Forest with beautiful views of towering cliffs, natural stone arches, and woodlands that are especially stunning in the fall.
The Red River Gorge is also a great destination for hikers and rock climbers.
🚗 220 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 27 minutes
Indiana
Cruise through a bygone era on the Covered Bridges Loop Trail in Indiana. This scenic drive takes you through rolling farmlands and charming small towns.
As well as a plethora of amazing covered bridges to cross, you can also enjoy stops at Salem and Vernon.
🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 10 hours
Washington State
This scenic drive winds through towering mountain ranges, beautiful forests, and river valleys, perfect for a fall getaway.
The route also showcases stunning viewpoints of the North Cascades for leaf-peeping and glittering alpine lakes.
Best fall road trips for early November
🚗 500 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 20 minutes
Tennessee to Mississippi
Step back in time on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, a peaceful drive that follows an ancient Native American trail.
This scenic route takes you through rolling hills, forests, and historic sites, with highlights including Mount Locust Inn and the stunning Double Arch Bridge.
🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes
Alabama
Take in panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains, which come to life in the fall.
This beautiful drive is dotted with gorgeous views, colorful woodlands, and access to the Cheaha State Park, home to the state's highest peak.
🚗 61 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 25 minutes
Oklahoma
This stunning drive winds through the picturesque Ouachita Mountains, connecting Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas.
You can expect memorable stops along the way to impressive Queen Wilhelmena State Park and Rich Mountain.