Best Drives for Fall Foliage Across the U.S.

Time is running out to plan that scenic fall drive. The unseasonably dry weather that has extended across much of the U.S. over the last few months has also resulted in an earlier fall foliage season. When it comes to planning and executing that drive to check out the changing leaves, your destination and the timing will dictate the beauty that you see. Here are a few of the best fall drives to consider this year if peak leaf-viewing is your goal.

Lake Champlain Byway - Vermont

New England is the granddaddy of them all for the fall foliage season. There is no better place in this region to see Mother Nature's glory than along the Lake Champlain Byway in Vermont. The 184-mile road delivers stunning views of Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains in Vermont, and New York's Adirondack Mountains.

Motorists who time their trip right will enjoy the famous Vermont maple trees reflecting off the waters of the country's sixth-largest lake. You will have the most luck if you use Vermont's official fall foliage tracker to time your drive to hit the peak colors.

Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway - Pennsylvania

Not too far from New England, you will find the Laurel Highlands region in Pennsylvania. The sheer size of the Keystone State translates to a wide variety of trees and colors. The 68-mile Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway provides the perfect backdrop to see this varied landscape.

Tourists will enjoy a wide array of deciduous trees that sprout up along the mountains and into the river valleys. Along the way, you will delight in the charming small towns, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1935 house, Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second week in October is generally the best time to drive this byway.

High Road to Taos Scenic Byway - New Mexico

While not typically known for its fall foliage, leaf peepers would be wise to put a trip to New Mexico on their bucket list. The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway takes motorists from Santa Fe to the mountain resort town of Taos. The 76-mile route takes less than two hours to drive with typical traffic levels.

The drive traverses through the desert badlands, providing a lovely backdrop for the golden cottonwoods along the Rio Nambe. From there, you will see the vibrant trees that dot the landscape of the Carson National Forest. Highlights of this forest include lush evergreen forests and golden aspens set in front of the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos.

Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway - Alabama

While many people head to the core of the Appalachians for their fall foliage viewing adventures, heading south into Alabama will also yield eye-popping scenery. Be sure to stay on the Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway as it crawls into the Deep South.

The 80-mile route features a hilly terrain that will delight around every corner. This byway is a good choice if you need to enjoy a fall foliage drive later in the season. In addition to the bursting colors, visitors will also discover unique geological formations and friendly towns that will make you feel right at home on your drive.

Ozark Run Scenic Byway - Missouri

You will find a little bit of everything in the natural world when trekking along the Ozark Run Scenic Byway in Missouri. The 80-mile stretch of road prides itself on its clear rivers, the towering bluffs, and the lush forest landscape. The end of September and the beginning of October is typically the best time of the year to travel this byway.

Tourists are advised to leave plenty of time to explore the Elephant Rocks State Park while on this journey. This popular state park features enormous boulders that date back over a billion years. The isolated nature of this byway also means that you are more likely to dodge the crowds.

M-119 - Michigan

The Great Lakes region also offers a bevy of brilliant fall foliage drives. Make the state of Michigan your jumping-off point, and you will enjoy drives along three of the Great Lakes. With so many options, it can be challenging to narrow down your choices. However, M-119 earns high marks for its sweeping views of the water and the trees at the same time.

This road is nestled in the northwestern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The journey starts outside the idyllic town of Harbor Springs, curving for 21 miles to Cross Village along the coastline of Lake Michigan.

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