Fall is upon us and, to paraphrase the immortal words of Bob Dylan: The leaves they-are-a-changin'. And, whether you’re based in the Pacific Northwest or the Heartland, there’s no better time to hit the open road for an autumnal excursion across America. From blueberry patches in eastern Maine to the aspen trees of western Colorado, we’ve compiled the most scenic drives for fall foliage in 2022. Read on for the highways and byways set to transform into a peeper’s paradise when the temperature drops.
1. Old Trails Road Scenic Byway (Missouri)
(Image provided by Adobe Stock)
New England tends to get all of the credit for its beautiful foliage, while the prairies of the Midwest tend to be overlooked by nature lovers. But Missouri’s Old Trails Road Scenic Byway (also known as Route 224) is one of the most beautiful autumnal drives in America. Head west from Napoleon through to Lexington on a scenic route that winds along the Mississippi River and was once traversed by Native Americans, fur traders, pioneers, trappers, and covered wagons. Today, the drive winds through orchards and vineyards, offering stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River basin that are even more spectacular when the leaves turn a patchwork of reds and oranges in the fall.
2. Kelley Stand Road (Vermont)
(Image provided by Vermont Tourism)
Known as the gateway to the Green Mountains, Kelley Stand Road to Grout Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest is best to visit when the mountains aren’t quite so green—maybe orange, yellow, or red, perhaps. We’re talking, of course, about Vermont’s famous fall foliage, which is best observed on this 64-mile drive from Bennington, Vermont. The entire trip is just under three hours, though it will be up to four hours with stops. To note: the dirt and gravel of Kelley Stand Road is quite bumpy and not traversable in the winter, which is why now is the time to visit. And the earlier the better—the leaves change earlier since you’re higher up in the mountains. Happy travels!
3. Tioga Pass (California)
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Head west to California State Route 120 in Yosemite National Park to traverse Tioga Road, a gorgeous, 64-mile long road from Big Oak Flat to Lee Vining. Though the drive in its entirety could be accomplished in under two hours, you will find it impossible not to pull over and admire the scenery as you ascend above the Valley into Tuolumne Meadows, traversing through the mountains at Tioga Pass. The sweeping vistas are even more stunning in the autumn, but you will want to plan your trip soon, as the pass closes in November. Luckily, we’ve got you covered for all things last-minute travel — so there’s no excuse not to see one of America’s greatest National Parks in all its autumnal glory.
4. Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway (New Mexico)
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Our next selection may be short, but it surely packs a punch. The Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway, also known as Hyde Park Road, is a 16-mile long drive filled with breathtaking views of the surrounding aspens. The winding drive originates in downtown Santa Fe and leads up to Hyde Park Road and concludes in the Santa Fe Sky Basin. Though the entire drive lasts roughly 45-minutes, you will find it will take you much longer, a result of the tremendous overlooks you must stop at along the way. The Vista Grande Overlook provides views of the Rio Grande Valley—and, on a cloudless day, travelers can spot Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Albuquerque, and White Rock from the overlook. Aspen Vista and Big Tesuque are also must-visits for the beautiful fall foliage. Longer-haul travelers should stay on in New Mexico, and explore the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, which begins in Taos.
5. Bold Coast National Scenic Byway (Maine)
(Image provided by Discover Bold Coast)
If you think you’ve seen it all with the leaves of old-growth trees changing colors in fall, wait until you observe the multi-hued blueberry fields of eastern Maine—best observed on the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway. This 125-mile drive covers the Acadia, Bar Harbor, and Down East region of the state and the winding country roads lead visitors through the aforementioned blueberry patches, as well as marshes, bays, fishing towns, and—of course—Maine’s breathtaking eastern coastline. The drive begins in Milbridge and ends either in Lubec or Eastport, though adventurous travelers are quite close to Canada’s Campobello Island. Why not make an international road trip of the whole journey? Canada’s borders are now open to Americans, after all. Just don’t forget to bring your passport. Cheers!
6. Independence Pass (Colorado)
(Image provided by Aspen/Snowmass Tourism)
We’re headed to the Rocky Mountains for our first selection—Independence Pass headed towards Aspen, Colorado. There’s no better place in Colorado to witness autumn’s changing colors than the towns of Aspen and Snowmass—and no better place to observe the breathtaking views than from the vantage point of Independence Pass. Crossing over the Continental Divide at 12,095-feet, Independence Pass is the highest paved pass in Colorado—no easy feat in such a famously vertical state. The road trip in its entirety takes roughly three hours, as travelers will set out from Denver and follow I-70 West towards US 91 before heading south to Leadville and Highway 24, and finally heading to Highway 82 to cross over the Independence Pass into Aspen. Fall is also the best time to go on this popular route, as the pass is often closed in the winter months, depending on snowfall. The peak time for travel is now. (Pun intended.) Another popular option is the Million Dollar Highway, a 70-mile stretch of the San Juan Skyway known for its autumnal beauty.
7. Lake Tahoe National Scenic Byway (Nevada)
(Image of Lake Tahoe provided by Adobe Stock)
Lake Tahoe Scenic Byway is a breathtaking way to observe the changing colors in one of the most beautiful destinations in America. Though there are multiple places to begin this 28-mile scenic trip, we suggest starting in South Lake Tahoe, where you will head north on Highway 28 towards Incline Village before taking Highway 431, also known as the Mount Rose Scenic Drive. Expect dramatic views of the Tahoe Basin, Lake Tahoe, and the fall foliage as it transforms the Sierra Nevada peaks. You may never want your journey to end, in which case—you’re in luck. Road warriors can extend their drive to 72-miles to traverse more of the lake and observe the scenery crossing into California.
8. Lone Mountain Loop (Montana)
(Image provided by Visit Big Sky)
Montana may be famous for its big sky, and there’s no better place to experience the wonders of the west than via a road trip through Big Sky, Montana. The Lone Mountain Loop explores the gorgeous vistas of southwestern Montana in a 213-mile loop that is roughly four hours long. The Lone Mountain Loop begins in Big Sky and traces US 191 through the northwest corner of West Yellowstone, also known as America’s first National Park, before running through US 287 to Beaverhead- DeerLodge National Forest. Make sure to stop off at Quake Lake and Hebgen Lake on your journey as you head north up to Norris, and take Madison River Road to complete the loop back onto I-90. From there, you can return to Big Sky. Adventurous travelers should consider adding onto their trip with a drive along US 89 to experience the Kings Hill Scenic Byway—and if you’re looking to extend even further, consider booking a last-minute RV rental to prolong your leaf-peeping journey.
9. North Shore All-American Scenic Drive (Minnesota)
(Image of Split Rock lighthouse in Minnesota provided by Adobe Stock)
Considered one of the most beautiful drives in America, the North Shore Scenic Drive is the perfect way to experience Minnesota’s land of 12,000 lakes while appreciating the dramatic hues of the fall foliage. The 150-mile drive is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake on the planet, and reaches the Arrowhead Region of northeastern Minnesota. The trip begins in Duluth and concludes in Grand Portage, at the base of the highest waterfall in the state—trust us, the five hour round trip is certainly worth it for the spectacular views of the midwest fall foliage in full bloom (or partial decay, depending on your perspective.)
10. Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina & Virginia)
(Image provided by Blue Ridge Parkway)
Our next selection is the Blue Ridge Parkway, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the premiere leaf-peeping destinations in the country. Explore some of the oldest mountains in the world while exploring the southern and central Appalachians. The Blue Ridge Parkway is an All-American Road going from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the entire drive is 469 miles. The country’s longest linear park takes just over 8 hours to complete and, while it can certainly be accomplished in a day, we suggest searching for last-minute hotel deals to book in case you’re feeling restless on the open road.
