Travel & Living

Seven Beautiful Scenic Drives for Fall

 

Autumn is such a gorgeous time of year. The weather hasn’t quite turned cold, the ice and snow hasn’t kicked in yet, and the leaves are turning the most gorgeous colors. It’s the perfect time of year for a road trip! Getting away with the family to take in the stunning scenery is absolutely on the must-do list for fall. If you’re looking for some wonderful places for the best scenic drives for fall, here are some of our favorite places to go!

Scenic Drives for Fall Along the East Coast

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a wonderful place to enjoy the fall foliage. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the mountains, plus the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway crosses its path. Elk Mountain Scenic Highway is another popular choice for enjoying mountain views and changing leaves. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop into the city of Asheville. There is so much small-town flavor with local artisans, craft beer, amazing local restaurants, and fun community activities like a drum circle in Pritchard Park happening weekly through October.

Golden Road, Maine

The Golden Road in Maine is a New England favorite for the best scenic drives for fall. The 20 mile stretch of this private road that is still an active logging channel, so be sure to be courteous to the logging trucks you’ll meet along the way. You’ll enjoy some of the best fall foliage, plus are close to stunning views of the Ripogenous Gorge, as well as Mount Katahdin from the one lane Abol Bridge nearby.

Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia

If you enjoy weather that is slightly warmer, you can still find the beauty of the changing seasons in Georgia’s range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Though the season here starts a couple of weeks later, the colors are still beautiful and rich. The Georgia Mountain Parkway is one of the local favorites. In the area, you can take advantage of scenic train trips, rafting rides, zip line tours, and so much more.

 

Scenic Drives for Fall West of the Appalachians

Hocking Hills, OH

If hills and country are more your speed than mountainous drives, The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway might be just the fall scenic drive that you are looking for. Situated along the Hocking Hills State Park, visitors to this area will take in forest views and country atmosphere, plus can tour caves, see waterfalls, and enjoy amazing hiking trails if they would like a little outdoor adventure.

West Elk Loop, Colorado

The West Elk Loop Scenic Byway offers a stunning drive through the West Elk Mountains. From here, not only can you enjoy the colors of the season, but you can visit the nearby Black Canyon, which is the narrowest, deepest canyon in the country. Stop in at quaint mining towns like Redstone, Carbondale, and Marble for unique shopping and food, plus a bit of history about the area.

Glade Top Trail, Missouri

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Glade Top Trail offers 23 miles of the best fall foliage views that the midwest has to offer. Between the amazing ridgetops and then the rolling countryside below, it really is a feast for the senses. Try to visit the area in mid-October and enjoy the Flaming Fall Review – a festival of fall flavor and beauty – put on by the local chamber of commerce.

Beartooth Highway, Montana/Wyoming

Beartooth Highway, which meanders through Montana and Wyoming, is one of the greatest fall scenic drives in the Northwest. Listed as an All-American Road, this scenic highway has it all. From stunning fall foliage, gorgeous views of the mountains, and then a direct path, straight into Yellowstone National Park. From scenery to wildlife, there isn’t much you won’t see or experience.

What are some of your favorite scenic drives for fall?

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30 Comments
  • Jasmine
    October 8, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    I went on a scenic drive outside of new York, it was amazing. I didn’t have to spend much, just packed it up and went on the road with the hub, had a lot of fun!

  • Rajee Pandi
    October 7, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Love to take a break to travel there

  • Christina Gould
    October 7, 2018 at 12:05 am

    I wish I could do all seven, but that would be a lot of driving. Maybe someday. Thanks for posting!

  • Angela Saver
    October 6, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    Fall is my favorite season and I love taking scenic drives to observe the beauty. I’m in Missouri, so I’m definitely checking Glade Top Trail in Missouri.

  • Maureen
    October 2, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    What a great suggestions for a drive to see the change of the leaves.
    I love fall–the beauty of the season.

  • Allison Lancaster
    September 28, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    I have always enjoyed fall road trips. We live about 2 hrs away from the beautiful NC Mountains. We try to take a day or two off just to travel along the blue ridge parkway and enjoy the fall scenery!

  • Lisa
    September 28, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    Fall is my favorite season to go on scenic drives, everything is so pretty.

  • Zoey
    September 28, 2018 at 4:09 am

    Fall is my favorite season. I love the idea of taking drives specifically to enjoy the beauty of fall.

  • Sandy Klocinski
    September 27, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    Awesome scenery! I would love to see West Elk Loop, Colorado…. New place for my bucket list

  • courtney
    September 27, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    Such beautiful scenery

  • Sarah L
    September 27, 2018 at 1:24 am

    I do enjoy a Fall road trip. I agree that the West Elk Loop, Colorado is worth seeing.

  • Stafford Brix
    September 26, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    I’ve done the Asheville, North Carolina drive in the Fall and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Love this list. Fair to say I have added two new drives to my bucket list.

  • Alina
    September 26, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Stunning! We have a road here in Michigan called Pontiac Trail which is a gorgeous drive in the Fall season!

  • Kelsey Vinson
    September 26, 2018 at 11:49 am

    We’ve been through Asheville, not during the fall but I bet it’s beautiful.

  • Dorothy Boucher
    September 26, 2018 at 12:22 am

    These are awesome!! I love Fall , its my favorite season and I love going for a long ride and watching the leaves change , so many beautiful colors of Fall.
    @tisonllyme143

  • Natalie
    September 25, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    I have been to the Blue Ridge Mountains in GA and I can attest to their beauty!

  • Dana Rodriguez
    September 25, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    I love taking scenic drives like these in the Fall. The colors can be so beautiful!

  • Calvin
    September 25, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    Lovely changing of colours on the leaves, definitely a nice sight to see while on the road.

  • vickie couturier
    September 25, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    those are beautiful i love the moutains of the smokies too and up in New Hamphire it is stunning when the colors change

  • September 19, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    I’ve been to two of these places (Asheville, NC and Blue Ridge Mountains, GA) and I agree, these are very beautiful, scenic places. I gotta check out the other ones you listed. Oooh, I love Fall! 🙂

  • September 18, 2018 at 3:41 am

    These are beautiful. I remember in college I went to North Carolina in the fall to visit my best friend from high school. It’s stunning coming from Arizona where we don’t get changing colors.

  • Jenn Mitchell
    September 18, 2018 at 2:54 am

    The changing colors of Fall are so very pretty. It is definitely one of the times of the year that I look forward to the most.

  • September 17, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    These places look and sound like they are relaxing to drive through. All look wonderful

  • September 17, 2018 at 6:48 am

    Those sound like fabulous scenic drives for fall. I will have to remember these for the next time I visit the US in Fall.

    • Mark
      September 17, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      Perhaps you can share some scenic places from your country…

  • September 17, 2018 at 1:40 am

    I love to take scenic drives in the fall. These look and sound like beautiful places. We live in Michigan and thankfully there are fall colors all around us.

  • Ave
    September 16, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    So many amazing drives! It’s hard to choose a favorite but I think I’d love the Blue Ridge Mountains and Glade Top Trail drives for sure! Can’t wait for the fall and colder weather to arrive here too!

  • September 16, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    Those are so great to drive and all over the US. That picture of the Blue Ridge Mountains was breathtaking and worth a trip to see.

  • September 16, 2018 at 1:25 am

    I have enjoyed a drive through central Idaho – from Stanley to Boise. Also in Oregon the Columbia Gorge Scenic Route is pretty awesome just about any time of year.

  • candy
    September 16, 2018 at 12:44 am

    Going on scenic drives during the falls a favorite time for hubby and I. Here in Illinois we have our all scenic drive every year. We never miss going and enjoying the drive.

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