Never mind the shorter days and pumpkin spice overkill, there are plenty of reminders why autumn is the superior season. When swimsuits have been swapped out for sweaters, weekends are spent sipping whiskey around a crackling bonfire, horror flicks start playing around the clock to hype up Halloween, and seasonal brews are released, fall plays its best hand in the great outdoors. That crisp, clear weather, is ideal for hiking, cycling, and trail running. First and foremost, fall is the ultimate time for a road trip like no other.
Related: Best Fall Foliage Destinations Away From the Crowds
Our favorite fall tradition is assembling a group of friends, packing up the car, and venturing out on as many gorgeous long and winding drives as possible before winter rears its bare, frigid head. And we’re definitely not alone. These days, the trend of “leaf peeping” is serious business in the tourism industry. There are even maps (like this nationwide one) that predict when the foliage will be at its most vivid across the nation.
From coast to coast, there’s no shortage of legendary road trips ready to scratch that autumnal itch. So, what are you holding out for? Piping hot apple cider, cool autumn air, and endless adventures await. Without further ado, here are our favorite 14 scenic routes worth exploring this fall around the country.
Fredericksburg to Lost Maples State Natural Area
Chase Fountain/TPWD
Location: Texas Hill Country
Total Distance: Approximately 90 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1–3 Days
Buckle up for a fun-filled, fall ride through the blazing heart of Texas Hill Country from Fredericksburg (a regional wine hub rich in German heritage) to Lost Maples State Natural Area. This gorgeous pocket of the Lone Star State doesn’t disappoint in the small-town charm department, especially in the fall. Don’t miss Bandera (pop. 837), dubbed the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” for a taste of Texas ranch life and a jaunt around Hill Country Natural State Area to spot some of its diverse wildlife.
Reserve at least a full afternoon to explore Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, ripe for hiking, rock climbing, birding, and stargazing. Then, when you venture south to Kerrville, take a nice amble along the Guadalupe River as the sun sets, or arrive earlier and visit the Museum of Western Art. Your last stop is Lost Maples State Natural Area, where a hidden grove of massive bigtooth maples aren’t humble about showing off their dizzying red, orange and yellow hues from late-October to mid-November.
Must-See Pit Stop: Love Creek Orchards in Medina is better known as the “Apple Capital of Texas.” Here’s the place (and now’s the time) to pick crisp, crunchy apples to your heart’s content and indulge in apple pies, pastries, and cakes. Don’t forget to buy some extras for the folks back home.
Seneca Skyway Mountain Ride
West Virginia Department of Tourism
Location: West Virginia
Total Distance: Approximately 300 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 2–3 days
Wending your way through 300 miles of the Potomac Highlands and the Seneca Skyway will strike you as “almost heaven” at any temperate time. Then there’s that window of fall when this nook of West Virginia loses the qualifier. Thanks to the varied tree species at multiple elevation levels, the skyway is spoiled to constant color changes and an extended leaf-peeping season.
Set your sights on Blackwater Falls State Park and the funky town of Elkins, perched on the outskirts of the wild and wonderful Monongahela National Forest along the way. Head towards Lewisburg if you need to give your calves a slight break from more strenuous outdoor action. It’s one of the state’s most historic and walkable cities, with art galleries, down-home joints, and more upscale farm-to-table fare. A few faves here include The French Goat, Hill and Holler Pizza, Stardust Café. When you’re ready to up the octane a few notches, take a tour with Lost World Caverns for epic spelunking.
Must-See Pit Stop: Seneca Rocks in Monongahela National Forest is one of West Virginia’s most beloved destinations during any season, and in the fall it’s next level. The area’s iconic rock formation is quite a sight to behold—or climb, hike, or horseback ride around—stretching up to 900 feet above the North Fork River.
Minnesota’s Great River Road
Explore Minnesota
Location: Minnesota
Total Distance: Approximately 565 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 5–6 days
The Great River Road spans 10 states along the the mighty Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana. While each portion of this National Scenic Byway offers its own treasures, we’re partial to Minnesota’s Great River Road, which takes you from the Mississippi headwaters to the bluffs in the southern part of the state. Driving across hillsides and through brilliant river towns illuminated by autumnal hues, you’ll want to savor this lengthy ride as slowly as you can, with several stops along the way. Our favorite places to soak up fall’s natural splendors here include Lake Bemidji State Park’s maple forests and several scenic overlooks at Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks.
Must-See Pit Stop: The National Eagle Center in Wabasha will change the way you look at America’s emblematic bird. Revered as the world’s top museum for eagle education, visitors can engage in wild eagle viewing, up-close eagle experiences and plenty of daily programming.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park 48-mile South Unit Scenic Drive
ND Tourism
Location: North Dakota
Total Distance: 48 Miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1–2 days
Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s 48-mile South Unit Scenic Drive is the place to be in our country’s most underrated national park. This especially applies in the fall, when the park is ablaze in a palette of muted golds, burnt oranges, and rusted reds—thanks to groves of golden cottonwoods lining the Little Missouri River coupled with the contrasting hues of the park’s famed badlands. On the drive, keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, and wild horses, and have your DSLR camera handy to capture the wildlife or scenery whenever you park.
You can easily do the entire drive in a day, but we advise splitting it up over two days and spending some time acquainting yourself with Medora, the gateway to the national park and quite the authentic Western frontier town—which got its start as a military garrison in the late 1800s. There, post up at the Rough Riders Hotel, which places you less than a half-mile away from the South Unit Visitor Center, equipped with helpful staff and a short film to get you up to speed on the park’s history.
Must-See Pit Stop: History buffs will be impressed by Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin (located behind the South Unit visitor center near the park entrance). The authentic dwelling is furnished with period items, including a replica of the 26th president’s writing desk that was a fixture at his Elkhorn Ranch.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: Virginia to North Carolina
Total Distance: Approximately 470 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 5–7 days
Often referred to as “America’s favorite drive,” this 469-mile stretch of spellbinding scenery runs (mostly) along the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A designated All-American Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway is protected by the National Park Service and remains one of the most visited attractions in the United States National Park System. During the drive, plan on soaking in rustic pastures, magnificent mountainscapes, and gleaming lakes that reflect autumn’s changing colors like a looking glass.
Also plan on soaking up some extra time in Haywood County, North Carolina’s Cataloochee Valley, considered the best area for elk-spotting in the region. In this remote valley in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, peep at elk from your car at various scenic viewing spots (dawn and dusk are best), and then stretch your legs and walk around several historic structures. Book your stay at the sprawling and luxe Cataloochee Ranch, established in 1933 and reopened in 2024 after extensive renovations.
Must-See Pit Stop: Pay a visit to the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, NC, (at milepost 292). Built in 1883, it serves as one of America’s oldest continually operating general stores, and its shelves are still stocked with pioneer-era goods like kerosene lamps, blackstrap molasses, and hand-crafted knives.
Green Mountain Byway
Location: Vermont
Total Distance: Approximately 14 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1 day
When it comes to sporting the best fall foliage in the nation, the Northeast never disappoints. Each fall, Vermont’s canopies burst to life in brilliant displays of saffron, garnet, and gold that leave spectators speechless. For those with less time on their hands, make a day out of meandering down the Green Mountain Byway. The 13.6-mile drive links the towns of Waterbury and Stowe by slinking along the spine of the Worcester Range to the east and northern Green Mountains to the west. Short but sweet, the byway is dotted with charming white chapels, rambling homesteads, and picturesque villages.
Must-See Pit Stop: Get the full fall experience with a trip to Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can sip chilled cider while indulging in a slice of homemade apple pie and fresh cider donuts.
Olympic Peninsula
Location: Washington
Total Distance: Approximately 350 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 3–5 days
While the East Coast gets plenty of praise from leaf-peeping enthusiasts, don’t overlook the West Coast. When it comes to epic autumnal road trips, the Olympic Peninsula route is another fan favorite. Kicking off from Seattle, WA, the 350-mile trek brings travelers through serene natural wonders like dense forests, rushing waterfalls, and staggering mountain peaks. Wildlife watchers can keep their eyes peeled for glimpses of moose, marmots, elk, and more. Comprising three distinct ecosystems (alpine, rain forest, and coastal beach), the drive offers a virtually endless combination of detours and adventurous sidebars, allowing motorists to customize their experience based on their interests.
Whatever you choose to see during your drive, post up for at least a night in the coastal region of Olympic National Park at Kalaloch Lodge. The property dates back to the 1920s, and comprises three distinct digs: the Main Lodge, cozy cabins, and suite-style rooms in the nearby Seacrest House. Check out the Pacific’s driftwood-lined shores (a favorite locale for storm watchers), and feast on razor/steamer clams and crab mac ‘n cheese at the Creekside Restaurant.
Must-See Pit Stop: Assuming you explore Seattle before hitting the open road, make sure to spend a bit of time checking out Olympic National Park and its most revered spots—including Puget Sound, Hurricane Ridge, and Hoh Rain Forest.
Sylamore Scenic Byway
Location: Arkansas
Total Distance: Approximately 27 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 2–3 days
If you’re a fan of Ozark on Netflix, you’ll definitely want to plan a few days venturing down the Sylamore Scenic Byway. If Arkansas isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of America’s fall foliage hot spots, this under-the-radar drive is an autumn revelation—illuminated in towering white oaks, thick hickory forests, and century-old maples framed by forested mountains. The byway is just under 30 miles long, but we recommend taking it slow and making a weekend trip out of it.
Must-See Pit Stop: Break up the drive with a visit to Blanchard Springs Caverns. The massive underground cave system is marked by its soaring stalagmite and stalactite formations, and a diverse range of tours are led through winding, water-carved passages by expert Forest Service Guides.
Lake Winnipesaukee Loop
Location: New Hampshire
Total Distance: Approximately 75 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1 day
As easy to love as it is hard to spell, Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake, providing the perfect backdrop for a relaxing road trip filled with fantastic food, quirky boutiques, quaint museums, funky hotels, and countless photo ops. Begin your roundtrip journey from Alton Bay, located at the southern tip of the lake. Follow Route 11 westward toward Weirs Beach (take advantage of its whimsical boardwalk scene); continue on toward Meredith; wind your way past Squam Lake’s peaceful vistas; cruise along to Moultonborough; and wander through Wolfeboro’s Main Street, perched on Lake Winnipesaukee’s northern shore, before looping back down to Alton Bay. It makes for a jam-packed day full of shopping, eating, and taking in the magic of New England’s fall foliage.
Must-See Pit Stop: For a solid dose of small-town charm (and afternoon sugar rush), be sure to pop into Moultonborough’s Old Country Store and Museum for a bag of penny candy and tales from yesteryear. The “old” moniker is well deserved; the general store was established in 1781.
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
Location: New Mexico
Total Distance: Approximately 83 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 2 days
For proof that New Mexico’s giant landscapes constitute more than desert dunes and cacti, take an eye-opening drive along The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway spanning from Taos to Questa. Snaking 83 miles through communities like Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire before looping back to its starting point, this drive may might not be the obvious leaf-peeping escape, but it’s punctuated with enough vibrant explosions of ochre and amber to redefine the American Southwest for fall. The drive includes breathtaking mountain views, rambling valleys, massive mesas, and national forestland—all unique to northern New Mexico.
Must-See Pit Stop: Bookend the road trip with a stop in Taos—an effervescent artist colony marked by its pueblo architecture, swelling tourism industry, and eccentric flare.
Mohawk Trail
Location: Massachusetts
Total Distance: Approximately 63 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 3 days
The Mohawk Trail is one of the country’s oldest official scenic byways, and has been a beloved staple of America’s road trip culture since it first opened back in 1914. Technically speaking, the trail is just the northern portion of Routes 2 and 2A, stretching from Millers Falls to the New York State border―with fall highlights lying mainly between the towns of Greenfield and North Adams. Here, Massachusetts’ autumnal landscapes are defined by rushing rivers, forested mountains, and a patchwork of never-ending farmland that looks as if it were quilted by Mother Nature herself. It’s revered for being one of the most enchanting drives in all of New England, and generations of locals and tourists alike have fallen under its spell.
Must-See Pit Stop: Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. This portion of the trail is a seasonal footbridge that’s completely covered by a rainbow-hued blanket of garden flowers, and connects the towns of Shelburne and Buckland.
Kebler Pass
Location: Colorado
Total Distance: 33 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1 day
Colorado is lined with unforgettable fall road trips. Hordes of eager sightseers pack into their vehicles year after year to experience a slice of the state’s most prolific routes, like the Million Dollar Highway or the Pikes Peak Highway. A solid alternative, Kebler Pass is for anyone in search of a lesser-known, more daring escape. The mountain pass is mostly gravel, carving through western Colorado’s Gunnison National Forest. Starting in the famed ski town of Crested Butte, the mesmerizing drive rises to an elevation of about 10,000 feet and provides some of the region’s most incredible overlooks. Gaze out onto the glistening evergreens and undulating aspen groves, lit up in crimson, burgundy, and burnt sienna.
Must-See Pit Stop: For serious thrill-seekers, plan a stop at Mount Emmons and spend some time rock climbing its rugged facade, or simply soak in the solitude.
Amish Trail
Location: New York
Total Distance: Approximately 30 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 1–2 days
Looking to slow things down and relish a quieter way of life? Then consider hitting the Amish Trail. While anything Amish-related probably elicits imagery of Pennsylvania’s rural countrysides, this particular drive actually unfolds entirely in western New York. To follow the route, head west from Cattaraugus on Route 353 and follow signs toward Cherry Creek. In addition to enjoying the pastoral landscapes, motorists can stop along the way to experience Amish culture firsthand. Learn more about how the community lives entirely removed from the modern world and follow hand-painted signs to find local Amish businesses selling everything from quilts and baked goods to expertly crafted furniture. Just be mindful when passing those horse-and-buggies on the road.
Must-See Pit Stop: For a one-of-a-kind souvenir, stop by the Amish-owned Hill Top Toy Shop, which houses an impressive collection of handmade wooden toys, games, and puzzles.
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
Location: California to Oregon
Total Distance: Approximately 500 miles
Ideal Time Frame: 3–5 days
For a truly spectacular experience, head west to trace the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. The famed north-to-south All-American Road threads roughly 500 miles and links Oregon’s Crater Lake with Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. The lengthy stretch is punctuated throughout by otherworldly geological formations forged by the ancient volcanic activity of the Cascade Mountain Range. In addition to unusual but dazzling scenery which peaks during the fall, motorists can also look forward to exploring the drive’s charming mountainside towns, cruising through the exalted Shasta Valley, and coming across treasured cultural sites. With its unobstructed, sweeping overlooks, the route also offers some of the best birding opportunities in the nation.
Must-See Pit Stop: This drive is a dream for anyone who loves outdoor adventure, but be sure to check out Petroglyph Point, just southeast of Tulelake, CA. The archaeological site sits within the Lava Beds National Monument and contains one of the largest displays of Native American rock art in the nation.