Leaf-Peeping Road Trip Tips

Here are some tips to make the most of your leaf-peeping road trips.

September 25, 2020
By: Jennifer Plum Auvil

Related To:

Photo by: Getty Images/Denis Jr. Tangney

Getty Images/Denis Jr. Tangney

Just as the weather cools down in the fall, leaf peepers get ready to hit the road to witness nature’s display of dazzling colors. Here are some tips to make the most of your leaf-peeping road trip.

Where to Go

Along the Northeast corridor, New England reigns supreme for great fall-foliage viewing in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. But that doesn't mean New England is the only spot in the country where leaf peepers can enjoy autumn's vibrant colors.

In the Mid-Atlantic, road trippers drive around New York’s Adirondack and Catskill Mountains and explore the Finger Lakes region in the search for leaves. In Pennsylvania, the view from the car promises blazing hues from orange to red from Bucks County and Amish Country in the southern part of the state, to the Great Allegheny Passage and the Laurel Highlands outside of Pittsburgh. Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia also deliver stunning fall foliage in the Mid-Atlantic.

Southeast states with impressive foliage include Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Finally, in the Midwest, leaf peepers follow the trail around the Great Lakes from Ohio to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Some of the area’s best leaves can only be seen when you get off the major highways and head to the winding country roads, many of which feature romantic covered bridges, local farm stands, pumpkin patches and small-town fall festivals that celebrate the change of season. The best way to navigate these small roads is with a GPS system, but low-tech travelers can stock up on local maps to help navigate the back roads.

When to Go

While the specific dates may vary slightly each year, Mother Nature’s autumn show kicks off at the Canadian border and makes its first appearance in northern states like Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in early September. As the month progresses, colors move southbound and wind their way down south where the final colors fade away in early November.

Leaf-peeping is serious business in many states, which means you won’t be the only people taking to the roads to gawk at the lovely trees. Crowds surge on the weekends, making highways and byways more crowded. Plan for a mid-week excursion to avoid the crowds.

Additional Resources

There are a variety of websites that provide leaf-tracking information collected from weather professionals and amateur leaf peepers who compile this information to assist travelers. In addition, the US Forest Service updates its website and hotline with information for leaves in national forests and state parks throughout the country.

In places where foliage drives the seasonal tourism industry, the local or state government maintains the official website, which provides regularly updated information on the state of the leaves around the region, including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and North Carolina.

Our Best Insider Tip

On any good road trip, bring along plenty of snacks, but plan for some pit stops along the way, too. You'll want to sample the apple cider, homemade doughnuts and a hearty slice of apple pie or cobbler that dominate many of the local produce stands and pick-your-own farms found along many of the scenic byways.

Next Up

Fall Foliage Road Trips

Check out our suggestions for fabulous fall foliage road trips throughout the United States.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Tips

California's coastal route along the pounding Pacific is perhaps America's best-loved drive. Get our recommendations for the best sites and stops.

Road Trip Game: Search and Find Jar for Kids

Keep the crew entertained on a long car drive by making a "search-and-find" style game using a recycled container, rice and lots of assorted items. HGTV shows you how to make it challenging.

16 Cozy Vacation Rentals Where You Can See Fall Foliage

Settle in for the ultimate fall retreat at these cabins and guest homes in prime fall foliage country.

Our Favorite Fall Camping Essentials

With these gear picks, you'll stay warm, cozy and connected both inside and outside your tent.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.