10 Terrific Road Trips for Fall
The fall is the perfect time to take a road trip in the United States. The temperature is cooler and you can see the trees and foliage changing into beautiful colors as you travel through scenic destinations. Below are 10 road trips with magnificent views throughout the U.S.
Mystic, Connecticut
GETTY IMAGES
Southern New England
CONNECTICUT & MASSACHUSETTS
Distance: 229 miles
Total Travel Time: Five hours
Best Time To Go: September and October
For Northeastern sightseeing, a Southern New England road trip may be just what you’re looking for. This is one of the best New England road trips to see fall foliage, and there are historic sites throughout the area. You can visit the Old North Church and the Old State House. You can also travel 127 miles from Mystic, Connecticut, to Boston, Massachusetts and see the Mystic Seaport and Aquarium. The fall is an incredible time to visit New England, which is why it’s one of the most popular road trips in the country.
Route 90 crossing the Cumberland River in Kentucky
Kentucky’s Scenic Route 90
KENTUCKY
Distance: 58 miles
Total Travel Time: 1 hour
This is one of the shorter trips on our list, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for some weekend relaxation, which makes it one of the best fall getaways for couples. Kentucky’s Scenic Route 90 offers scenic views of the Cumberland River on either side as you drive over spectacular bridges. You will also go through gorgeous meadows along your journey and can stop at one of the small communities for a bite to eat.
White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire
White Mountain Scenic Highway
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Distance: 34 miles
Total Travel Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Best Time To Go: October
The Kancamagus Highway, also known as the White Mountain Scenic Highway is another short road trip you can take this fall. Located in New Hampshire, this highway takes you up through the White Mountain National Forest, where you can spend the day outdoors. In addition to the national forest, there are also attractions like the Hobo Railroad and Loon Mountain.
Aerial view of Skyline Drive, Virginia
Skyline Drive
VIRGINIA
Distance: 198 miles
Total Travel Time: Five hours and 30 minutes
Best Time To Go: September through November
Taking a Skyline Drive road trip gives you a full day of national park areas to explore, or you can even turn it into a multi-day adventure. Skyline Drive passes through Virginia’s incredible Shenandoah National Park, which spans 200,000 acres. The speed limit in this area is 35 mph, so you can take your time to enjoy the sights during the fall.
The Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, which is perfect for people who love to hike. You can hike to Hawksbill Summit and explore Whiteoak Canyon. There are also areas to stop for a picnic and camping grounds where you can spend the night and gaze up at the stars. Whether you’re driving, camping or hiking, keep an eye out for local wildlife like deer, wild turkeys and black bears.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan
Upper Peninsula Scenic Drive
MICHIGAN
Distance: 24 miles
Total Travel Time: 30 to 40 minutes
In Michigan, you can take the Upper Peninsula Scenic Drive, which is also known as the Lake Superior Circle Tour. During this fall road trip, you’ll have stunning views of Lake Superior, and this is the perfect trip for people who enjoy the outdoors as well. You can spend the day relaxing on the lake’s shore, taste the local cuisines or get a little more adventurous.
This area of the Great Lakes is the home to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where you can find the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. This area also has outdoor activities, like kayaking and canoeing, and you can also explore the sea caves and sandstone cliffs. This area also has historical sites like the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and the 19th-century military outpost, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.
Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Scenic Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA
Distance: 356 miles
Total Travel Time: Eight hours and 30 minutes
Best Time To Go: September to November
Traveling through Scenic Pennsylvania offers a relaxing road trip through rural areas of the state. You can travel the length of this route in a day or make some stops and have a two-day trip because there’s plenty to do. In addition to the various stops and sights, you may see some deer while driving around Scenic Pennsylvania.
A popular starting location is the lakefront in Erie, Pennsylvania where you can visit the Maritime Museum, Presque Isle State Park and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. From there, you can travel east toward St. Mary’s, where there are plenty of places to go, like Allegheny National Forest and the Drake Well Museum. For beer lovers, St. Mary’s also has the Straub Brewery to experience over 100 years of history, along with delicious food and excellent handcrafted brews.
Grafton Notch State-Park, Maine
Maine’s Scenic Route 26
MAINE
Distance: 45 miles
Total Travel Time: One hour
Best Time To Go: Mid-October
If you’re looking for fall trip ideas in the Northeast, Maine’s Scenic Route 26 is perfect for spending a weekend. This tree-lined highway travels near the White Mountain region, and there are some cozy bed-and-breakfasts where you can stay the night. During this drive, you can stop at Grafton Notch State Park, where you can hike and visit the waterfalls. You can also visit Moose Cave and the historic Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery.
Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
Million Dollar Highway
COLORADO
Distance: 25 miles
Total Travel Time: 45 minutes
Best Time to Go: mid-September to mid-October
Between Ouray and Silverton is a 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 dubbed the Million Dollar Highway. There are several legends on the building of this road clinging to the mountain including costing a million dollars a mile to build. The route includes stunning views, hairpin turns and steep drop offs as you drive into the Uncompaghre Gorge. There are opportunities along the route to visit scenic overlooks, hot springs, mining relics, see waterfalls and enjoy mountain towns offering places to eat — and accommodations if you decide to make it an overnight trip.
Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Smoky Mountains
TENNESSEE & NORTH CAROLINA
Distance: 400 miles
Total Travel Time: Three hours to three days
Depending on your preference, your road trip through the Smoky Mountains can be a day trip, or you can turn it into a three-day adventure. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the shorter trip, and when driving through, there are historic attractions and scenic overlooks where you can park. The longer trip allows you to visit Cades Cove Loop Road and Cataloochee Valley. You can also visit Roaring Fork to see some historic buildings.
NOTE: Some parts the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains received severe damage due to Hurricane Helene. Please check for road closures before you attempt to drive the above route.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
NORTH CAROLINA
Distance: 469 miles
Total Travel Time: About four to seven days
Best Time To Go: October and early November
The Blue Ridge Parkway makes for the perfect road trip during the fall, and it stretches almost 470 miles. You can start your road trip in Asheville, North Carolina and travel up through Virginia while experiencing the amazing views. In addition to the fall foliage, you can also make stops to see the Whitewater Falls in Jackson County and a variety of national parks.
The entirety of the trip can take four to seven days, depending on how often you stop and what you’d like to do along the way. There are many outdoor activities, like zip-lining in Blowing Rock or a three-day family adventure in Montgomery County, Virginia. Blue Ridge Parkway goes along the Appalachian Mountains, so you’ll also find camping spots, cabins and more.
NOTE: Some parts of the North Carolina mountains received severe damage due to Hurricane Helene. Please check for road closures before you attempt to drive the about route.
Silverton, Colorado
The Best Time for a Fall Road Trip
When planning your fall road trip, the best time to see peak foliage times vary depending on the state and weather. Factors like temperature, elevation and rainfall may change when the foliage is at its best. Many people are also traveling during this time of year, so it’s best to start planning early, especially if you plan on booking a hotel or renting a car.
The best way to plan your trip is through AAA. AAA Members receive various benefits, like discounts on hotel stays, so take advantage of them. Make AAA your one-stop shop for all your travel needs—it's easy to plan your entire trip and view travel guides.
Start Planning Your Adventure Today at AAA.com/RoadTrips.