New Hampshire and Vermont Are Quietly Becoming America’s Hottest Fall Foliage Road Trip Destinations

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Somudranil Sarkar

Somudranil Sarkar is a literary artist whose writing blends precision with imagination, delving deep into human emotions and societal constructs. As a writer, he crafts stories that breathe life into abstract ideas, creating worlds where language serves as both paint and canvas. As an editor, Sarkar shapes narratives that resonate globally, elevating writing beyond grammar to tell meaningful, profound stories. His work challenges readers to reflect, question, and understand the world more deeply. With his unique vision, Sarkar pushes boundaries, leaving a lasting imprint on both literature and the way we connect through words.

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September 8, 2026 11:23 PM

Fall foliage road trips in the United States are emerging as one of the most compelling ways to experience the country during autumn, taking travellers through mountains, forests, rivers and small towns as landscapes transform into vivid seasonal displays. From the compact Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and the sweeping Blue Ridge Parkway across North Carolina and Virginia to Vermont Route 100, the Colorado Loop, the Adirondack Mountains, Oregon’s Columbia River Highway and the Ozarks, these routes offer very different versions of the American autumn. Some journeys can be completed in three to four days, while others are better suited to week-long or extended itineraries. Foliage timing also varies considerably according to latitude and elevation, with some mountain landscapes reaching their peak in September while lower-elevation and southern areas can remain colourful into November. Along the way, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, forests, historic sites, mountain communities, food experiences and outdoor attractions turn the drive itself into the main adventure.

1. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

The Kancamagus Highway remains one of the standout choices for travellers seeking classic New England autumn scenery.

Also known as The Kanc, the 34.5-mile route follows New Hampshire Route 112 through the White Mountains between Lincoln and Conway.

The road is designated a National Scenic Byway, and its relatively short distance makes it possible to build a longer autumn itinerary around multiple stops, hikes and viewpoints.

Among the major attractions are the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Hancock Overlook, Russell-Colbath House and Sabbaday Falls Observation Site.

The route can be experienced from the road itself, while hiking opportunities provide closer access to the changing forest.

Kancamagus Highway Road Trip

The combination of mountains, hardwood forests, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints makes New Hampshire fall foliage particularly suited to a road-trip format.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway provides a much longer autumn experience, linking spectacular mountain scenery across North Carolina and Virginia.

Managed by the National Park Service, the parkway is one of the most recognised scenic drives in the United States.

Autumn brings an additional dimension as forests change colour across different elevations.

The route can be combined with Asheville, Linville Gorge, Pisgah National Forest, Blowing Rock and Shenandoah National Park, although Shenandoah is not technically located along the parkway.

For travellers interested in seasonal events, the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Folk Art Center in Asheville provides an additional attraction, with the supplied itinerary highlighting its Annual Craft Fair from 15–18 October.

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

The changing elevation makes timing particularly important. Higher mountain areas can reach peak colour before lower sections of the journey.

3. Vermont Route 100

For a traditional New England fall road trip, Vermont Route 100 offers a slower journey through countryside, mountain communities and seasonal attractions.

The route passes through areas including Wilmington, Ludlow, Killington, Waitsfield, Waterbury, Montpelier and Stowe.

Unlike a journey built around one major attraction, this itinerary is designed around the changing landscape and the communities encountered along the way.

Autumn experiences can also include local food and seasonal activities.

Depending on timing, travellers can incorporate artisan cheese tasting and a visit to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury.

Vermont Route 100 Road Trip

The north-to-south variation means travellers should consider their dates carefully when planning a Vermont foliage road trip.

4. Colorado Road Trip Loop

The Colorado Loop offers a distinctly different autumn landscape, with brilliant aspen groves replacing the dense hardwood forests associated with New England.

Starting and ending in Denver, the route travels through several of Colorado’s most scenic mountain destinations.

Key stops include Vail, Glenwood Springs, Crested Butte, Telluride, Pagosa Springs and Aspen.

The state’s high country generally reaches its autumn peak earlier than many lower-elevation destinations, making September an important month for foliage travellers.

Colorado Road Trip Loop

The changing colours of aspen and maple trees, combined with mountain scenery, make this one of the strongest choices for travellers wanting a western alternative to traditional East Coast foliage.

5. Adirondack Mountains, New York

The Adirondack Mountains provide one of the largest landscapes on the list, with Adirondack Park covering more than six million acres.

That scale creates almost endless possibilities for constructing a New York autumn road trip.

A suggested itinerary begins and ends in Albany, travelling through Lake George, Lake Placid, Keene Valley, Tupper Lake and Old Forge.

The route can also include the Adirondack History Museum, while destinations such as Saratoga Springs and Mount Marcy add further attractions.

Adirondack Mountains Road Trip

The enormous size of the park means travellers can choose between a concentrated itinerary and a much longer exploration of the Adirondack landscape.

6. Columbia River Highway, Oregon

Oregon provides a less obvious but highly distinctive option for autumn road trips.

The state is known for dramatically different landscapes, ranging from desert terrain in the east to evergreen forests and mountains in the west.

The Columbia River Gorge adds another dimension, with the historic Columbia River Highway providing a scenic route through one of the region’s most striking landscapes.

The itinerary begins in Astoria and continues towards Hood River, The Dalles and Pendleton.

Waterfalls provide some of the most accessible stops, including Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Wahkeena Falls.

Travellers can also visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

Columbia River Highway Road Trip

The later foliage window makes this route particularly interesting for travellers who miss the September and early-October peaks elsewhere in the country.

7. Ozarks Scenic Road Trip, Arkansas and Missouri

The Ozarks provide a Southern alternative for travellers looking beyond the better-known New England and Rocky Mountain foliage destinations.

The itinerary crosses Arkansas and Missouri, combining forests, mountain landscapes, towns and seasonal agricultural experiences.

The Ozark National Forest forms an important part of the journey, while autumn visitors can also encounter Arkansas wine country during the harvest period.

The route includes Little Rock, Hot Springs, Mount Ida, Eureka Springs, Branson, Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Mark Twain National Forest.

Ozarks Road Trip

At up to ten days, the Ozarks itinerary is the longest of the seven routes and is better suited to travellers wanting a more comprehensive Southern autumn journey.

Where Should You Go for Fall Foliage?

The best U.S. fall foliage road trip depends heavily on travel dates and the type of scenery being sought.

Travellers heading out in September can consider Colorado’s high country, the Adirondacks and northern Vermont.

Those travelling during early October can focus on the Kancamagus Highway, Vermont, the Adirondacks and higher sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

By mid-to-late October, the Blue Ridge Parkway becomes particularly attractive, while Oregon’s Columbia River Highway begins moving towards its stronger foliage period.

For late October and early November, the Ozarks and Columbia River Gorge provide compelling alternatives.

Why Autumn Road Trips Are Becoming More Appealing

The attraction of these journeys lies in their flexibility.

Unlike a conventional city break, a fall foliage road trip makes the journey itself part of the holiday. Scenic viewpoints, forests, waterfalls, mountain roads and small communities can become destinations rather than simply places passed between major attractions.

The seven routes also demonstrate how varied the American autumn can be.

The Kancamagus Highway delivers classic White Mountain scenery, while Vermont Route 100 offers a quintessential New England countryside experience. The Blue Ridge Parkway combines mountain landscapes with cultural attractions, while Colorado provides dramatic high-country aspen colour.

The Adirondacks offer enormous scale, Oregon delivers waterfalls and river scenery, and the Ozarks provide a Southern alternative with forests, wine country and distinctive towns.

For travellers planning an autumn driving holiday, the most important consideration is not simply choosing a beautiful route. Timing, elevation, distance and the length of the journey can determine how much colour is actually encountered.

With the right itinerary, however, the road becomes more than a way to reach the destination. Across these seven routes, the changing landscape becomes the destination itself.