There’s something healing about a long, winding drive, especially when the dazzling fall foliage delights your eyes throughout. Autumn is right around the corner and if your soul is craving a road trip filled with the kinds of views that revive your spirit, we have some top recommendations you’re sure to love.
To prepare this list of the five most beautiful drives for leaf-peeping, 247 Tempo reviewed the National Park Service and several travel and outdoor websites, all hailing these locations throughout the U.S. as the best and most sought-after.
Blue Ridge Parkway: North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. It is known as “America’s Favorite Drive.” It’s a rolling drive that covers 469 miles. It doesn’t just cut through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, but it also takes you through to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. This is the kind of drive you take leisurely to enjoy the expansive views with each twist and turn. You can visit at any time of the year, but for fall leaf-peeping, there are some peak drive times to make your experience most memorable.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Peak Drive Times
To experience the full kaleidoscope of fall colors, you can head out starting the last week of September through the first week of November. There are no exact dates to write down, solely because Mother Nature is in charge. However, these months provide you with the best scenery. Ultimately, elevation is what dictates the shift in fall colors. The higher the elevation, the earlier you can enjoy the drive. However, if you’re heading out to a lower elevation, you may need to wait until November to experience the truly transformative experience this drive offers. Keep in mind that even during fall, you must check the road status information before heading out.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Plan Your Drive
This drive is not for speed racers. Expect to travel at 45 MPH or less throughout. As you plan your drive, check the Blue Ridge Parkway park alerts to ensure there are no closures to contend with. This is a meandering drive and requires your focus and extra care. Do not plan to take this drive unless you’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The posted speed limits let you know what pace to keep but keep in mind this drive is meant to be enjoyed slowly and intentionally. Others on the road will be stopping at scenic overlooks, which means you’re likely to experience heavy traffic. Note the Parkway Mileposts as well, they are how you orient yourself.
Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway: Massachusetts
The Mohawk Trail is located in western Massachusetts. This historic drive is short enough to complete in a day at only 69 miles. It runs through a stunning landscape between the Connecticut River Valley and the Berkshire Mountains. It wasn’t always a drivable road the way it is today. Long ago, Native Americans traveled the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway by foot. There are historic villages you can visit along the way as you take in the dense forests that burst with color during the fall season.
Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway: Peak Drive Times
The foliage along the Mohawk Trail delivers an eyeful you won’t soon forget. When planning to drive the Mohawk Trail, make sure you pick a date between the last week of September and the middle of October. Look up local foliage reports for even greater accuracy while planning. Any trips outside of these dates are still going to be beautiful, but you’ll miss the fall colors you’re seeking. Since you’re going to be heading out between September and October, be sure you pack blankets, wear layers, and take some umbrellas and weather-proof shoes should you stop and enjoy a hike.
Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway: Plan Your Drive
Plan for crowds during foliage season at the Mohawk Trail. You won’t be the only one driving out to gawk in awe at nature’s stunning colors, so expect to encounter others snapping photos and taking deep breaths of fresh air alongside you. If you’d prefer to avoid crowds as much as possible, take the drive during an early morning or on a weekday, when you’re less likely to encounter others. You’ll be traveling through some rural environments, which means you’re likely to lose cell service. Take some printed maps with you and any other information you may need so you’re not caught without resources during cell service lapses.
Skyline Drive: Virginia
The Skyline Drive in Virginia is typically open 24/7 but inclement weather can change this at any time. On it, you traverse a total of 105 miles in Shenandoah National Park. If the weather is clear, this drive takes approximately three hours to get through. However, during peak season or adverse weather, you are likely looking at delays and closures. There are four entry points on the drive and they include the Front Royal Entrance Station, Thornton Gap Entrance Station, Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, and Rockfish Gap Entrance Station. Be sure to check the National Park Service for details on available phones along the drive since you’re likely to lose cell service on this road.
Skyline Drive: Peak Drive Times
There are 75 overlooks on this drive to mesmerize you. Local tourism office websites can offer up-to-date details on fall colors but to give you an idea, the peak drive times for Skyline Drive occur in the last three weeks of October. In the earlier part of the month, you may be able to enjoy a change in colors at an elevation of 3,500 feet. Keeping an eye on more current reports helps to ensure you are listening to what Mother Nature dictates. Typically, during this season, the weather is pleasant, the foliage is stunning, and you have a host of events and activities to explore along the way.
Skyline Drive: Plan Your Drive
On the Skyline Drive, GPS isn’t reliable so get your directions from the National Park Service. There is a fee ($15 to $30) to take the Skyline Drive but don’t worry if there’s no one at the entrance when you first arrive. Just proceed and pay on your way out. This, like the other scenic drives on this list, is a bit of a slow crawl. Most of the way, the posted speed limit is 35 MPH. Make your vehicle cozy with blankets, pillows, and snacks as you make your way through each curve in the road. You won’t just spot gorgeous leaf colors, but you’re likely to spot some wildlife on the drive, including wild turkeys, deer, and even black bears.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Tennessee
There are over 800 square miles to explore in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and there are multiple scenic drives to enjoy as well. Some take you to refreshing mountain streams while others captivate you with the kind of fall foliage views you can’t believe are real. The Smokies invite you to explore 384 miles of paved and gravel roads. Some of the most popular scenic drives include Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road, and Cataloochee Overlook.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Peak Drive Times
The fall foliage display of the Smokies is so spectacular, you’ll be left spellbound. To get the most out of the many beautiful drives through the Great Smoke Mountains National Park, plan to head out between the middle of October through the early part of November. If you go early, be sure to reach at least 4,000 feet of elevation to ensure you get the best vistas. If you’re planning to explore an area of lower elevation, head out later in the fall foliage season, between late October and early November.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Plan Your Drive
For frontcountry camping, Smokemont Campgrounds is a great choice that’s open year-round. Be sure to check the National Park Service before planning your drive out to the Smokies. On their website, you can check for any alerts in effect, including fire dangers and temporary closures. You can expect to encounter other sightseers with the same curiosity as you on your trip and if you’d like to avoid the areas with most traffic, keep away from Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove. If you’re planning an overnight stay, keep in mind there are no rental accommodations within the national park. However, you can find hotels and cabins just outside the park in the surrounding areas.
Million Dollar Highway: Colorado
This bewitching drive in Colorado only takes about 45 minutes. If Colorado is calling out to you, head over to the western region of the state where you’ll find the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most breathtaking roads in the U.S. The breathtaking bit is two-fold: on the one hand, you’re going to witness some of the most spectacular views and on the other hand, you’re going to be a little tense because there are no guardrails or shoulders during long portions of this road. The good thing is it’s only about 25 miles so even if you find yourself regretting it, you won’t have too long to travel before you’re back in either Silverton or Ouray.
Million Dollar Highway: Peak Drive Times
The Million Dollar Highway makes up part of the larger San Juan Skyway. To get the most out of this scenic drive, plan to go between late September and early October. During this period, the golden hues abound. When you take this drive, you realize how aptly named it is. The “million-dollar views” rising over the road each with each curve will have you enchanted. Now, if you’re the one driving, let your passengers enjoy the views and keep your focus on the paved road and painted lines right in front of you.
Million Dollar Highway: Plan Your Drive
When planning your drive, head over to the weather forecast first to determine if it’s safe. These drives are fascinating but they can also be dangerous. Knowing what the weather forecast is can prevent you from facing road closures or rock slides. Plan to drive slowly and carefully because the road can get tricky, winding against unprotected mountainsides. If you want to elongate your trip, plan some stops along the way. You may want to check out Animas Forks, a ghost town or head over to the Animas River Gorge, where you can enjoy more picturesque views. Though there is much to be in awe of on this drive, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
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