14 Fall Road Trips for Stunning Scenery Around the U.S.

Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, Georgia

When you think of places to see fall foliage, New England destinations probably come to mind. But the southern parts of the country have beautiful colors, too. A road trip through Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains offers stunning foliage without the cold weather you’d find up north.

Start at the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway in the northern part of the state, which takes you through the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River. Stop in Helen, a mountain town modeled after a quaint Bavarian village, and at Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia and the ultimate foliage viewing vantage point. Clayton, an old mountain town with antique shops, outdoor retailers, and restaurants, is also worth a visit. Take a hike in the nearby Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, then head east to the Tallulah Gorge State Park, where you can explore a nearly 1,000-foot-deep chasm carved out by the Tallulah River.

Green Mountain Byway, Vermont

If New England’s foliage is on your must-see list, make a beeline for Vermont, where the Green Mountains erupt in color. Some of the most picturesque views can be glimpsed from the Green Mountain Byway, which weaves through Waterbury and Stowe before circling the mountains to frame picture-perfect vistas. You’ll pass by wide-open farmland, historic homes, and rolling hills interrupted by church steeples. Make it a point to stop at The Alchemist Brewery in Stowe for a pint of the legendary Heady Topper, and at the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury for a tour.

Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

There’s a lot to see and do in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but the Kancamagus Highway, known fondly as “The Kanc,” rises to the top of the list in the fall. This twisty, turny road captures the best of the state’s foliage and mountain views, and it offers some top-notch photo opportunities. Stop at the historic Albany Covered Bridge, which dates from 1858, for some serious New England charm. Then make your way to Conway to give someone else a turn at the wheel as you ride the Conway Scenic Railroad for even more leafy views.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

This winding road covers almost 470 miles to connect Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. While you drive, you’ll pass split rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows, and scenic overlooks. Stop along the way at one of the many hiking trails in either national park, or visit a local farm to grab some autumnal produce.

Route 6, Pennsylvania

Take a trip along the historic Route 6 in northern Pennsylvania for views of color-shifting forests, mountains, and other peaceful scenery. Visit the historic Straub Brewery, a St. Marys institution, while you’re in the area. You can also travel along the Elk Scenic Drive, a 127-mile route that crosses through the Pennsylvania Wilds—often past large elk herds. Finally, stop at the Worlds End State Park for camping, cabins, and hiking on the Loyalsock Trail to immerse yourself in the fall foliage.

Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

Take your time exploring the Litchfield Hills in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Pass through Falls Village in Canaan, where the churches, streets, houses, and railroad depot still look as they did in the 1800s. The Appalachian Trail runs right through town, so you can follow the white trail markers for a day hike. Pass through the West Cornwall Covered Bridge, which extends 172 feet across the Housatonic River, visit Lake Waramaug State Park for fall foliage views while cycling or sailing, and then head to Litchfield to marvel at the gardens at White Flower Farm.

Pacific Coast Highway, California

You might think a drive up the California coast is best done in the summer, but it’s also beautiful in the fall—and the weather is more comfortable. Start outside Los Angeles with an oceanside hike in Point Mugu State Park. Then hop in a car—a convertible, preferably—and trace the coast on Highway 101 to Santa Barbara. Spend a night there and stroll down State Street to check out the shops and restaurants. Make a side trip to nearby Solvang, which is modeled after an old Danish town, with a windmill, plus wineries and beautiful scenery. If you have the time, continue northwest for ocean views at Jalama Beach County Park.

The Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Make your way through the rugged coast of Washington for mountain views and lush forest drives. You can start in Seattle and loop around Puget Sound, stopping for ferry boat detours to Vashon Island or Whidbey Island. On Vashon, stroll along the beaches or visit Point Robinson Lighthouse for a taste of Pacific Northwest island life. Back on the mainland, hike or camp in Olympic National Park, and then carry on to historic Port Townsend, where you can wander among the old waterfront neighborhoods or head out on the water in the hopes of spotting orcas, sea otters, and other marine life.

Gulf Coast, Florida

There are two main advantages of a fall Florida road trip. One, you’ll enjoy warmer temperatures than you’d get in the north, and two, you’ll avoid the unbearable heat and humidity of the Sunshine State’s summer months. Travel along the Gulf of Mexico, and feel free to extend it further. On South Walton’s beaches, the sands are sugar-white thanks to their pure quartz crystal makeup. You can also check out the rare coastal dune lakes that exist in only a handful of places in the world. For a different kind of food truck experience, stop in the town of Seaside, where Airstream Row is a street lined with aluminum trailers serving up tasty dishes.

Northern Pacific Coast, Oregon

The Oregon coast has stunning coastal scenery fringed by forests. Start in Astoria, then head south. Along the way, you can hike at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park or Ecola State Park. Stay in Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock and wander among those large beach boulders so characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Also, locals will tell you that a stop at the Tillamook Creamery, in Tillamook, for sweet frozen treats is obligatory. You can travel all the way down the coast and top off your trip with a visit to the redwood forests near the town of Brookings.

The Great Lakes, Michigan

Skirt the country’s northern edge by driving along the Great Lakes. Start at the southern shore of Lake Huron and stroll the Riverwalk Pier or shop in the downtown antiques center in Bay City. After that, head north along the lake to hike one of the state parks near Alpena, like Thompson’s Harbor State Park. Then, drive two hours up the shore to Mackinaw City, where you can catch the ferry to the famously car-free Mackinac Island. This 3.8-square-mile National Historic Landmark is easily explored by bike or horse and buggy.

Route 66, Illinois to California

Though the iconic and historic highway has been chopped up and partially abandoned since its glory days, Route 66 has been immortalized through pop culture—you’ve heard about it in songs and seen it in movies. Only parts of it remain intact and drivable today, but it’s worth exploring, even if you don’t make it the whole way.

The best starting point for a Route 66 adventure is arguably at its eastern terminus, Chicago. Stop along the way for memorable sights, including the Polk-a-Dot Drive In in Braidwood, Illinois, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, the 80-foot Blue Whale of Catoosa, and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Complete your journey out west at California’s Santa Monica Pier.

Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana

Enjoy the Mississippi River by following the Great River Road, which runs 3,000 miles from Minnesota all the way down to Louisiana. Stop along the way to explore Saint Paul and Memphis, Tennessee, and consider detours to nearby cities like Chicago or Nashville.

Highlights along the route include the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and the Poverty Point UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pioneer, Louisiana. There are also plenty of hiking opportunities, especially at Mississippi Palisades State Park.