Fall Road Trips: The Best Routes in the U.S. for Leaf Peeping

Every fall, various destinations across the United States turn into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and golds, and there’s no better way to see it than from the road. Whether you’re chasing New England’s fiery maples, winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains, or catching the last burst of color in the Southwest, these routes showcase some of the best fall views in the country.

As road trippers who’ve logged thousands of miles across America (and made plenty of detours when the leaves were too good to pass up), we’ve learned a few things about chasing fall color. Timing is everything, backroads usually beat highways, and a thermos of hot chocolate never hurts.

Below you’ll find our favorite fall foliage road trips across the U.S., complete with route highlights, when to go, and why each one deserves a spot on your autumn bucket list.

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1. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

The Kancamagus Highway (known by locals as “The Kanc”) cuts through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, offering sweeping views of rolling hills, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. It’s easily one of the best fall road trips in New England.

Popular stops include Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Kancamagus Pass Overlook, and Pemigewasset Overlook. Take your time enjoying the scenic pull-offs, and plan a stop at Cheese Louise in Conway for delicious grilled cheese sandwiches after your drive.

We drove the Kanc during our 2022 Travel Season, when we spent five months road-tripping through New England and Canada. I’d hoped that just being in New England during September and October would guarantee a perfect fall experience, but we quickly learned it takes more planning to land in the right places at the right time. The Kancamagus Highway is beautiful year-round, but we missed peak foliage at the end of September.

When to go: Mid-October is the sweet spot for this New England road trip. The weather is cool enough for sweaters and cider, and the colors usually peak right around the second week of the month. Getting the week right matters if you’ve got your sights set on perfect fall photos. Plan ahead to secure lodging!

Keep Reading: Everything You Need to Know About the Kancamagus Highway

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia & North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Built as a slow, scenic alternative to the highway, the Parkway follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and passes countless overlooks, waterfalls, and small mountain towns along the way.

In the fall, the views are breathtaking. Some of the best fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be found at Graveyard Fields (the short loop trail gives you some of the earliest color on the Parkway), Rough Ridge (a must for hikers and photographers, this trail offers sweeping views over the Linn Cove Viaduct), and Waterrock Knob (one of the highest points on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Each one offers a slightly different perspective of the mountains, but all three deliver those breathtaking autumn views the Parkway is famous for.

🍂 Fall Tip: Color change happens first at high elevations and moves lower by late October into November. High spots like Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and Waterrock Knob typically peak in late September to early October. Mid-elevation areas such as Blowing Rock, Linville Falls, and Rough Ridge usually change by mid to late October, while lower elevations near Asheville and Cherokee reach peak color in late October into early November.

When to go: Mid-October in Virginia and late October into early November further south.

We’ve had many fun adventures and a few misadventures in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the years. In 2019, we spent two weeks exploring North Carolina, splitting time between Raleigh and Asheville. We worked during the day, then spent evenings driving the parkway and hiking nearby trails.

By 2020, we were back in the mountains for two months, renting a dreamy mountain cabin near Bryson City to explore the Smokies and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway again at a slower pace. We hiked in the Pisgah National Forest, stopped at as many overlooks as we could, sipped cider in Asheville, and even broke down on nearby Skyline Drive while leaf peeping. (We were on our way from Skyline to the Blue Ridge Mountain Corn Maze. We’ve still yet to make it there, but we did conquer the Great Vermont Corn Maze in 2022!)

If you have just one day, we recommend driving from Asheville to Cherokee (87 miles) for a snapshot of what makes this route special. With three days, you can cover half the Parkway: either Shenandoah to Blowing Rock or Blowing Rock to the Smokies. With five to seven days, you can drive all 469 miles at a comfortable pace with overnight stops in Roanoke, Blowing Rock, and Asheville.

👉 Plan Your Drive: Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway: A Beginner’s Road Trip Guide

3. Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia in the fall is pure magic. Between the coastal hikes, vibrant foliage, and cozy small-town charm of Bar Harbor, it’s one of those places that makes you fall in love with New England again and again.

Some of the best fall color in Acadia can be found along Park Loop Road, especially around Gorham Mountain, Beehive Trail, the Wild Gardens of Acadia, and Jordan Pond.

🍂 Fall Tip: Cooler temperatures make fall one of the most comfortable times to hike in Acadia. Trails like Gorham Mountain Loop, Beehive Trail, Jesup Path, and Beech Cliffs Trail are especially stunning this time of year. The Gorham Mountain Loop is dog-friendly and a great place to catch the sunrise, while the Beehive and Beech Cliffs trails offer adventurous ladder climbs and panoramic views over the ocean and fall foliage. For an easier stroll, Jesup Path is a peaceful boardwalk lined with golden trees—a true fall fairyland.

When to go: Early to mid-October is the best time for peak color and crisp weather. Leaves typically start changing in late September and reach their brightest hues by the second week of October.

We spent three weeks in Maine during our 2022 Travel Season, with two main goals: explore Acadia National Park and eat as many lobster rolls as possible. Fall in Acadia quickly became one of our favorite experiences. Mornings started with hikes like the Gorham Mountain Loop or Beehive Trail, afternoons were spent exploring Bar Harbor, and evenings ended with sunset walks and hot lobster rolls. (We highly recommend The Travelin’ Lobster.)

Keep Reading: Park Loop Road: Acadia National Park’s Stunning Scenic Drive

4. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico

Fall foliage in the Southwest? Absolutely! Around Taos, golden aspens light up the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in a way that rivals Colorado. Circling Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway spans about 85 miles and connects Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire. It’s one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico and an incredible fall road trip route.

Popular stops include Taos Ski Valley for mountain views and golden groves, Eagle Nest Lake for a scenic picnic spot, and the town of Taos for art galleries, adobe architecture, and a well-earned meal after a day on the road.

🍂 Fall Tip: The route forms a complete circle, so you can start in Taos or Angel Fire and follow the highway markers to complete the loop. Plan to spend a full day (or even a weekend) exploring. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, so pack layers for warm afternoons and cool mountain air.

We spent six weeks in New Mexico during our 2020 Travel Season, and our third stop took us to Angel Fire. It surprised us with fall foliage in a big way—think glowing aspen groves that shimmer from a distance. We stayed off-season at the Angel Fire Ski Resort, and while weekends were busy with mountain bikers, weekdays were quiet. We had the trails almost entirely to ourselves, which made for some amazing after-work hikes and plenty of time to snap photos of New Mexico’s fall colors.

During that month, we explored the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway and several other routes, including the High Road to Taos, Valles Caldera, Santa Fe National Forest, and Bandelier National Monument (complete with a 140-foot ladder climb to the Alcove House).

Best stops along the Enchanted Circle:

• Taos: A perfect home base for a fall weekend. Grab breakfast at Michael’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery, lunch at La Cueva Café, and dessert at Taos Cow. In the evening, check out Lambert’s of Taos or The Love Apple for a farm-to-table dinner.

• Red River: Stop for coffee or cocoa at Bearly Awake Coffee Shop or Steam Coffee & Tea Co., and take the chairlift for panoramic views of the aspen-covered slopes.

• Eagle Nest Lake: One of the most scenic alpine lakes in New Mexico, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Great for photos, picnics, or a quiet walk.

• Angel Fire: On weekdays, the ski area trails are peaceful and perfect for fall hikes. We also loved the Elliott Barker Trail in Carson National Forest for a moderate, family-friendly option.

• Carson National Forest: Finish your drive with a hike on Williams Lake Trail or Oesta Vista Loop near Taos for even more fall color.

When to go: Late September through early October is the peak of the season. Higher elevations like Red River and Angel Fire tend to turn first, while lower elevations around Taos reach their best color by early October.

Read Next: 3 Scenic Fall Drives in New Mexico (+ 8 🍂 Pictures to Inspire a Road Trip ASAP)

📍 RTL Tip: If you’re planning a longer New Mexico fall road trip, it’s easy to connect the Enchanted Circle with the Santa Fe National Forest. Located about 90 miles south of Taos, this region offers even more opportunities for leaf peeping, scenic drives, and mountain hikes!

5. Vermont’s Route 100

Route 100 in Vermont winds through the heart of the Green Mountains, passing rolling farmland, covered bridges, and small towns that burst into color in autumn.

Some of the best stops along Route 100 include Stowe for its postcard-perfect church steeple and mountain backdrop, Moss Glen Falls just off the highway, and the small towns of Weston and Ludlow for classic New England charm. Each stretch feels a little different, from peaceful forest drives to open farmland framed by mountains.

🍁 Want more Stowe stops? Read our full guide to Vermont’s fall flavors here.

Route 100 runs for more than 200 miles through central Vermont, but the most scenic section is between Stowe and Ludlow. This stretch passes charming villages, farm stands, covered bridges, and plenty of spots to stop for maple creemees or fresh cider donuts. The drive is slow and peaceful, with dozens of scenic pull-offs that make it easy to explore at your own pace.

We spent two weeks in Topsham, Vermont, during our 2022 Travel Season. One of our favorite memories was visiting the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville. While not directly on Route 100, it’s an easy side trip—about an hour or less from the northern and central portions of the highway. It’s the largest corn maze in New England, and it’s both beautiful and a little maddening in the best way. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and fall color, it’s a true Vermont experience.

Other highlights from our time in the area included a stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury for fresh cider and donuts, a walk through Stowe Village to photograph the iconic white church framed by the mountains, and a drive through Smugglers’ Notch for some of the best foliage views in the state.

When to go: Late September to early October is peak season for fall color in Vermont. The northern sections (like Stowe and Waterbury) usually turn first, with color moving south toward Ludlow and Weston by early to mid-October.

If you have time, plan at least two or three days to explore Route 100 at a relaxed pace. Stop often, wander small-town general stores, and stay in a cozy inn or B&B to fully embrace the Vermont fall vibes.

🎃 Plan Your Road Trip: Picture-Perfect: A Festive New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

6. Newfound Gap Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

With over 100 species of trees, the Great Smoky Mountains are home to one of the most diverse fall color displays in the country. And there’s no better way to experience it than by driving Newfound Gap Road, a 33-mile scenic route that winds from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina, through the heart of the national park.

🍂 Fall Tip: Because Newfound Gap climbs from 1,500 feet near Gatlinburg to over 5,000 feet at Clingmans Dome, you’ll see different stages of fall color as you drive. Higher elevations turn first, usually in early October, while valleys stay green until late October. It’s one of the few drives where you can experience multiple fall peaks in a single day.

A few highlights along Newfound Gap Road:

• Newfound Gap Overlook: The only spot where you can stand with one foot in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina. On clear days, you’ll see mountain ridges stretching for miles.

• Clingmans Dome Road: A short side road off Newfound Gap takes you to the highest point in the Smokies. The half-mile walk to the observation tower is steep but worth it for 360-degree views.

• Oconaluftee Valley Overlook: Near the Cherokee entrance, this overlook glows with warm golden light in the late afternoon and is one of the best photography spots in the park.

When to go: Early to mid-October for high elevations, late October for valleys and lower ridges. (If you’re hoping to catch peak color, check local foliage reports and try to visit midweek for fewer crowds.)

We discovered the Smokies by happy accident during our 2020 Travel Season, when a spontaneous Airbnb search led us to Watershed Cabins near Bryson City, North Carolina. What was supposed to be a one-month stay turned into two, and those months ended up being some of our most peaceful and memorable on the road.

From our cabin, we drove Newfound Gap Road often—usually with Lincoln in the backseat and no set plan. Some days we’d pull over to hike the Oconaluftee River Trail, one of only two dog-friendly trails in the park. Other days, we’d wind our way up to Clingmans Dome, stopping at overlooks to watch the fog lift over the ridges. One afternoon, we even saw a black bear cross the road near Sugarlands Visitor Center.

👉 Pro tip: The Smokies get crowded. Hit the park early in the morning to snag parking and quieter overlooks.

Read Next: 7 Dog-Friendly Things To Do in the Great Smoky Mountains

7. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

The Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) is one of the most breathtaking drives in the United States. It forms a 20-mile stretch of the larger San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, winding between Ouray and Silverton through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Along the way, snow-dusted peaks rise above golden aspen groves, and remnants of old mining towns cling to the cliffsides.

We first drove the Million Dollar Highway while spending two weeks in Durango during our 2021 Travel Season. We’ve returned to the Rockies many times since, most recently during our 2024 Travel Season, which took us all the way from Dallas, Texas, to Jasper National Park. The drive is often described as thrilling, and while the driver should definitely be comfortable with heights, we didn’t find it nearly as nerve-wracking as some other mountain routes we’ve tackled. Instead, it’s pure Colorado magic!

Highlights along the Million Dollar Highway:

• Ouray Overlook: Stop here before climbing south toward Red Mountain Pass. The view back over “the Switzerland of America” is unforgettable.

• Bear Creek Falls Overlook: One of the best roadside waterfalls anywhere in Colorado.

• Red Mountain Pass: At over 11,000 feet, this is the high point of the drive, surrounded by fiery red peaks and brilliant yellow aspens in late September.

• Silverton: A perfectly preserved mining town where you can grab lunch, wander the main street, or hop on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

We spent our Durango stay exploring the entire region—Coal Bank Pass, Hope Lake Trail near Telluride, Trout Lake, and the Sky Steps & Rim Trail—but few adventures compare to this drive. If you have time, do it twice: once from Ouray to Silverton and again in reverse. The perspective (and photo ops) are completely different each way!

Best time to go: Late September to early October, when the aspens blaze gold across the San Juans and the peaks might even get their first dusting of snow.

Dog-Friendly? Yes! Dogs are welcome at roadside overlooks, but keep them leashed for safety. Drop-offs are steep and unguarded. (Those same drop-offs are also what make the Million Dollar Highway a little intimidating for drivers. Take it slow, make sure the driver is comfortable with heights, and you’ll be just fine.)

🎯 RTL Tip: Drive the route north to south (Ouray to Silverton) for the best views, but if heights make you nervous, start in Silverton instead so you’re on the inside lane.

Keep Reading: Colorado Road Trip: Driving The San Juan Skyway

8. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, New York

If there’s one Adirondack drive that belongs on your fall bucket list, it’s the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. This scenic road climbs to the summit area of Whiteface Mountain, one of New York’s highest peaks, and rewards you with sweeping views of Lake Placid and the High Peaks Wilderness.

From the parking area near the top, you can take the 0.2-mile Alpine Nature Trail, a steep stone staircase with incredible views of Lake Placid Lake behind you. The panorama from the top is unforgettable, especially in late September or early October when the foliage peaks.

We spent three weeks near Lake Placid in 2022, working remotely from Au Sable Forks and hiking before and after work most days. Driving the Whiteface Memorial Highway feels like standing on top of New York.

Best time to go: Late September to early October, when the High Peaks are at their brightest. Because the highway climbs above 4,000 feet, colors change earlier here than in Vermont or New Hampshire, so plan accordingly. (The road usually closes for the season in mid-October. Check current dates here.)

If you’re visiting Whiteface Mountain, we also highly suggest carving out time for a few nearby hikes! The Lake Placid and Wilmington areas are packed with trails that show off the Adirondacks’ stunning fall foliage from every angle.

Here are some of our favorites from our time in the region:

• Cobble Lookout (2.4 miles round trip): One of the best effort-to-view hikes in the Adirondacks. A gentle climb leads to panoramic High Peaks views, perfect for sunrise or sunset.

• Balanced Rocks Trail (3.2 miles round trip): Fun, scenic, and far less crowded than nearby Cascade Mountain. Expect a forested ascent, light scrambling, and 360-degree summit views.

• Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail (3.2 miles round trip): A quiet, moderate trail with incredible summit views. We even caught a double rainbow here during one of our evening hikes.

• Silver Lake Mountain (1.9 miles round trip): Short, steep, and dramatic. This quick climb rewards you with a massive view over lakes and mountain ridges glowing in autumn color.

• Bear Den Mountain (4.7-mile loop): A moderate forest trail with a summit view of Whiteface Mountain and the ski lifts across the valley. Less crowded than many nearby hikes.

• Indian Head & Rainbow Falls (10 miles round trip): A full-day, non-dog-friendly hike famous for its sweeping lake views between peaks.

Read Next: How to Plan The Perfect Weekend Itinerary in Lake Placid

More to Explore

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