One of my favorite parts of fall in Michigan was enjoying the changing leaves on a long road trip. So it shouldn’t surprise you that I’ve eagerly created a list of the fabulous fall foliage drives in the United States to enjoy. It was hard to limit the list, since every road with colorful leaves is beautiful. But here are some of the best places to enjoy the leaves changing.
Kancamagus Scenic Byway, NH
Route 100, Vermont
US Route 1 through 5 New England States, plus the Acadia National Park loop.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina to Virginia
Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park
Gatlinburg – Take 11E from Johnson City to Greenville and then US Route 321 to Gatlinburg. You’ll drive along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. MSNBC called it one of 10 great American road trips.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive located along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Traverse City, Michigan.
Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon. The nation’s first planned scenic roadway.
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway – The drive through the Black Hills of South Dakota offers more than just leaves to see.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanyaspillane/1959727026/
Arkansas State Highway 7, Lead Hill to Hot Springs. When you are tired of the fall foliage in Ozark National Forest, stop at Cliff House Inn and Restaurant in Jasper to see Arkansas’ Grand Canyon.
Peak to Peak Scenic & Historic Byway, Colorado. Frankly, I had a tough time picking just one section of highway in Colorado.
Montana has two of the best drives in the country.
Beartooth Highway, Mt – Charles Kuralt called U.S. Highway 212 from Red Lodge to Cook City “the most beautiful drive in America.” It is only open until mid-October or first snowfall. So don’t dally in October.
Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
Color Maps
Before you pack for your trip, you should definitely check one of these three color maps in order to make sure that the leaves along your drive are ready for your visit. After a few clicks, you’ll know whether you should hit the road, wait a week, or cry because you missed the peak color change.
