Five Autumn Drives Worth Planning a Trip Around

Summer gets most of the attention, but many enthusiasts think fall is the best driving season. The air is cool, the roads are quieter, and the scenery changes color around every bend. Here are five American roads worth a weekend trip this autumn.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway — North Carolina & Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long and one of the country’s great scenic drives. It follows the ridgelines of the Appalachians, with endless overlooks and no stoplights or billboards along the way. The standout section is near Grandfather Mountain, where the Linn Cove Viaduct curves around the mountainside and is one of the most photographed stretches of road in America.

This is a grand tour, not a speed run, since the speed limit tops out at 45 mph. Take your time and enjoy the views. Peak color usually arrives in mid-to-late October, with higher elevations turning first.

2. Tail of the Dragon — Deals Gap, NC/TN

The Tail of the Dragon (US-129) is on nearly every serious driver’s list. It packs 318 curves into 11 miles, with no side roads or driveways to interrupt the rhythm. It runs along the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the fall foliage adds to the drama.

A word of caution: the Dragon is heavily patrolled, and photographers are stationed along the route to capture every car that passes. Drive within your limits, then buy the photo afterward. Late October is usually the peak for color.

3. Kancamagus Highway — New Hampshire

“The Kanc” (Route 112) covers 34.5 miles through the White Mountain National Forest and is often called one of the best foliage drives in New England. It climbs to nearly 3,000 feet at Kancamagus Pass, and the views of rivers, waterfalls and mountains are all bright color in October.

There are no gas stations, restaurants or services along the route, so fill up in Lincoln or Conway before you start. Peak color usually comes in early-to-mid October.

4. Vermont Route 100 — Vermont

Route 100 runs nearly the full length of Vermont and looks like a postcard of New England: white church steeples, covered bridges, general stores, and hills in red and gold. It’s less about hard driving and more about a relaxed, winding road with charming stops along the way.

Combine the drive with a stay at a country inn, a stop at a cider mill, and a few detours onto the gravel back roads. The northern sections usually peak first, with color moving south into mid-October.

5. Talimena National Scenic Byway — Arkansas & Oklahoma

The Talimena National Scenic Byway is the hidden gem on this list. It runs about 54 miles along the ridgetops of the Ouachita Mountains between Mena, Arkansas, and Talihina, Oklahoma. The road rises and falls smoothly, the views stretch for miles, and traffic is light compared with the famous routes out East.

It’s also a good choice for late-season drivers, because color here usually peaks in late October and into early November, after New England has faded.

Before You Go

Foliage timing changes every year with weather, so check a fall color tracker for your region a week before you leave. Plan for chilly mornings, bring layers for when you stop at the overlooks, and remember that wet leaves on the road can be as slippery as ice.

Pick a road, clear a weekend, and go enjoy the best driving season of the year.