Fall is one of the best times in the year to take a driving vacation because you have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful colorful foliage along the way. The fall colors peak at different times based on locations, elevations and precipitation, and New England and the eastern states traditionally have some of the best drives to experience these brilliant colors. Maine, New Hampshire and North Carolina are three of the best places to view the fall foliage.
Maine
Maine has always been one of the top destinations for fall foliage and if you don’t have reservations well in advance you may end up sleeping in your car. There are numerous roadways to travel and enjoy the brilliant colors from the end of September through mid October.
One of these drives is known as “The Lake and Leaves” drive. It is a 218 mile loop in central and western Maine, passing Moosehead Lake and the Kennebec River. One of the most beautiful parts of this scenic drive is a 20 mile stretch, east of the town of Gainesville going towards Gulf Hagas. At this point there is a 3 mile gorge which you can hike to see some incredible waterfalls and water chutes, along with some of the most breathtaking sights of fall foliage in all of Maine.
New Hampshire
One of the most well-known scenic drives in New England is the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in the White Mountain National Forest. This is a 34.5 mile stretch of road running east and west in the northern part of the state. Between the towns of Conway and Lincoln, you will find one curve in the road more beautiful than the next as the leaves provide a never-ending array of fall color.
There is a beautiful waterfall with three tiers at the Sabbaday Falls turnoff (mile 19.5) which will certainly delight photographers, myself included. The end of September and beginning of October are the best times for fall foliage in New Hampshire, but due to its varied elevations in the mountains, you have good opportunities for viewing from mid September till mid October. Click here for an interactive map which will show the foliage report by areas. Although New Hampshire and Maine attract over 16 million visitors during fall foliage season, driving along the Kanc, as the locals refer to the byway, never seems to be too crowded.
Because of such varied elevations in North Carolina, including Mount Mitchell which is the highest point in the eastern United States, North Carolina is one of the best destinations in the south for fall foliage viewing. For every 1000 feet difference in elevation, the fall colors change every five to seven days, extending the season from mid September at the highest elevations until late November in the lower elevations.
One of the best scenic drives for fall foliage is along Rt 64 in western North Carolina. Listed as an official state scenic byway, Rt 64 is particularly beautiful between Franklin and Highlands. This two-lane road winds around the mountains and offers stunning views along the way.
From Asheville, drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway through Pisgah National Forest. If you exit at US 276 going south, after approximately 9 miles, you can stop and experience the beautiful Looking Glass Falls on the left side. You can even take a swim in the pool beneath the falls, but be prepared for some cold water especially in October.
If you are starting in Brevard, drive south on Rt 64 into Pisgah National Forest to Highlands, where there are several gorgeous waterfalls. This area is known for waterfalls and the 120 foot high Bridal Veil Falls can be seen from the highway. Continuing toward Lake Toxaway, you will arrive at the small town of Cashiers, and approximately 5 miles west of there, you will approach the “Big View.” This is a pull-out which provides some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the area, including the sheer granite cliffs of Whiteside Mountain.
Whether you choose Maine, New Hampshire or North Carolina for your travel destination, you will undoubtedly enjoy nature’s beautiful colors at their best this fall.
