Top Autumn Foliage Drives in the U.S.

Instead of a lengthy road trip to admire fall colors, opt for a shorter scenic drive that allows more time outdoors to savor the season—enjoying mild temperatures, vibrant canopies of red, orange, and yellow leaves, alongside delightful cinnamon-sugar doughnuts and warm apple cider.

These 11 scenic routes are all under 200 miles, allowing travelers to experience everything from a quick 20-minute summit drive to a leisurely day trip.

1. Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Maine

• Starting Point: Bar Harbor, Maine
• Destination: Cadillac Mountain, Maine
• Total Distance: 7 miles

For stunning mountain views and vibrant fall colors, begin your journey at Acadia National Park's Hulls Cove Visitor Center (Bar Harbor) and ascend to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Dinogo writer Melanie Haiken recommends visiting the 187-acre Jordan Pond at the mountain’s base. Canoe across the pond for a unique foliage experience, where the surrounding landscape creates a vivid backdrop of colors against the twin peaks known as the Bubbles, providing a breathtaking view of the treeline.

2. Route 7A, Vermont

• Starting Point: Bennington, Vermont
• Ending Point: Manchester, Vermont
• Distance: 25 miles

This picturesque drive along Vermont's Route 7A winds between the Taconic and Green Mountains, running parallel to the 272-mile Long Trail. Starting in either Bennington or Manchester, the nearly 30-mile route passes through charming towns, fields dotted with hay bales, and quaint general stores offering syrup and sweets, all set against the backdrop of the Green Mountains.

3. Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee to North Carolina

• Starting Point: Tellico Plains, Tennessee
• Ending Point: Robbinsville, North Carolina
• Total Distance: 43 miles

The Cherohala Skyway feels like a scene from a James Bond finale: a narrow road winding through mountains cloaked in trees, with endless peaks stretching into the distance. Spanning from eastern Tennessee to western North Carolina, the road passes through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. (Its name is a blend of the two forests.) Along the way, scenic overlooks offer stunning views, while thrill-seekers can explore one of 29 trails or try fly-fishing in the Tellico River near Tellico Plains.

4. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming

• Starting Point: Red Lodge, Montana
• Ending Point: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• Distance: 68 miles

The Beartooth Highway is one of fewer than 50 roads in the U.S. to earn the prestigious “All-American Road” designation, offering one of the most stunning routes into Yellowstone. Starting in Red Lodge, Montana, the road twists and turns into Wyoming, crossing three national forests and reaching a peak elevation of 10,947 feet before ending near Yellowstone's northeast entrance. Due to its high altitude and unpredictable weather, the highway typically closes by mid-October, but foliage in this region peaks as early as September.

5. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

• Starting Point: Conway, New Hampshire
• Ending Point: Bath, New Hampshire
• Distance: 56 miles

Winding through New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, the Kancamagus Highway has secured a spot on many 'best road trip' lists. With its scenic ponds, hiking trails, overlooks, and sharp turns, this route—known locally as 'the Kanc'—attracts millions of visitors annually. To avoid the crowds during peak foliage season, an early morning drive is recommended.

6. Historic Upper Peninsula, Michigan

• Starting Point: St. Ignace, Michigan
• Ending Point: St. Ignace, Michigan
• Distance: 160 miles

Immerse yourself in history on this scenic tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Begin in St. Ignace, founded in 1671 at the Straits of Mackinac, then travel east to the forested Drummond Island (a ferry ride is required for the 15-minute trip). After enjoying island activities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing, return to the mainland to visit Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan’s oldest city and the third oldest in the U.S., before concluding the loop back in St. Ignace.

7. Skyline Drive, Virginia

• Starting Point: Front Royal entrance, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Ending Point: Rockfish Gap entrance, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Distance: 105 miles

Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park meanders through the Appalachian Mountains at a leisurely pace, with a 35 mph speed limit, perfect for savoring the autumn colors. Start at the Front Royal Entrance Station and head south, passing stunning spots like Crimora Lake Overlook and Hogback Overlook. For adventure seekers, the 3,284-foot Old Rag Mountain offers a rewarding hike with panoramic views, while easier trails like Blackrock Summit are great for families. Can't get enough? The Blue Ridge Parkway continues from Skyline Drive’s end, adding 469 miles of fall scenery.

8. Silverado Trail, California

• Starting Point: Napa, California
• Ending Point: Calistoga, California
• Distance: 30 miles

“When people rave about Napa Valley's reds in autumn, they’re likely talking about the vibrant grape leaves as much as the wine,” writes Dinogo editor Pat Tompkins in her piece on California’s iconic fall foliage. The yellow and red vines make the valley just as beautiful to behold as it is to taste. For a quieter, more scenic route than Highway 29, take the Silverado Trail through Napa’s rolling hills. For those amazing wines? Stop by Quintessa, Castello di Amorosa, or Clos du Val to grab a bottle for later—perfect to toast your scenic drive.

9. Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon

• Starting Point: Troutdale, Oregon
• Ending Point: The Dalles, Oregon
• Distance: 70 miles

After enjoying a weekend in Portland, take a short 15-mile drive east to Troutdale to explore the country’s first scenic highway, established in 1913. This picturesque route follows the Columbia River, showcasing stunning river views on one side and vibrant maple, oak, and alder trees on the other. Along the way, you'll encounter an abundance of waterfalls, including Latourell Falls, Shepperd’s Dell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Oregon's tallest, the 620-foot Multnomah Falls. Many of these scenic wonders are easily accessible from the parking area, making it perfect for family trips.

10. The High Road, New Mexico

• Starting Point: Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Ending Point: Taos, New Mexico
• Distance: 105 miles

While the U.S. Southwest isn’t typically renowned for its autumn colors, the higher elevations showcase bursts of changing aspens against the backdrop of red desert landscapes. Another compelling reason to explore the High Road during fall is the relief from the oppressive summer heat, which begins to subside in September. Begin your journey in Santa Fe, traveling north through historic Spanish communities like Chimayo, where the yellowing leaves and green junipers are framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Once you reach Taos, consider extending your adventure along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

11. Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway, New York

• Starting Point: Olive, New York
• Ending Point: Andes, New York
• Distance: 52 miles

For New Yorkers seeking a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Catskill Mountains are the perfect destination. The streams, mountains, and valleys here inspired the renowned Hudson River School of landscape painters, making this route an ideal choice for those in search of breathtaking views. As you traverse through towns like Olive, Shandaken, Middletown, and Andes, you'll encounter golden and amber hues that adorn the landscape. These charming towns feature unique handmade furniture shops and easy walking trails, providing ample opportunities to explore at your leisure.

This article was initially published in 2023 and most recently revised on August 29, 2024, incorporating the latest information.