Every year, travelers take to the open road in search of a new adventure. Epic road trips are a popular way to explore different regions across the U.S. Also, planning a fall drive can be a great way to enjoy cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage! These epic road trip destinations are not just for fall, they make a great destination option all year.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drive through rural landscapes, national parks, lakes, rivers, or charming towns, there are plenty of epic road trips that are perfect for doing in the fall or at any time of the year.
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In the Northeast, you can find a variety of autumn colors among the mountainous landscapes or head south to the Gulf Coast, where temperatures and views of the ocean are mild. The weather is breezy and pleasant along the Pacific Coast, and there are plenty of charming coastal towns to explore.
This list of epic road trips goes from east to west across the United States. You’ll love these scenic drives if you want to see beautiful fall foliage and some sensational national parks and beautiful towns!
Don’t just save them for fall trips though! Our Travel Makes Me Happy Team loves them year-round.
Our Favorite Road Trips in the U.S. to Try
Table of contents
- Our Favorite Road Trips in the U.S. to Try
- 1. The Appalachian Trail Across Eastern U.S.
- 2. Route 1 Scenic Drive in Maine
- 3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 4. Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia Scenic Drive
- 5. The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia
- 6. Epic Road Trip Miami to Key West
- 7. The Scenic Drive of Route 66
- 8. Great River Road from Minnesota to Louisiana
- 9. West Elk Loop Historic Byway in Colorado
- 10. The Epic Grand Canyon
- 11. Mount Charleston in Nevada
- 12. Lamoille Scenic Byway in Nevada
- 13. Yellowstone National Park
- 14. Pacific Coast Highway in California
- 15. The Oregon Trail Scenic Drive from Oregon to Massachusetts
- Bottom Line on Epic Road Trips to Try
1. The Appalachian Trail Across Eastern U.S.
The Appalachian Trail is a famous hiking trail that winds down to Georgia from Maine. The nature trail is over 2,200 miles long and can take committed hikers 5 to 7 months to complete.
Fall is a great time to make an epic road trip along the Appalachian Trail, as there are already colors in the trees. It’s also really enjoyable hiking in the cooler temperatures.
Check out this great Road Trip Seat Organizer on Amazon for those long trips!
2. Route 1 Scenic Drive in Maine
If you want to see gorgeous coastal and autumn scenery, head to Maine. Maine is home to abundant natural attractions, including 5,000 miles of coastline and Acadia National Park.
Additionally, 65 lighthouses dot the landscape, and the state enjoys one of the largest harvests of blueberries in the United States. And don’t forget about the famous lobster rolls!
Start your trip by traveling Route 1 in Portland, taking in the lighthouses and magnificent mansions before venturing into Acadia National Park. This park is renowned for its incredibly vibrant autumn hues, particularly along the 40-mile span of the Acadia Byway.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The fall is a fantastic time to be outdoors in the Smokies, as the weather conditions are pleasant. The heat of summer starts to decline around September.
Residents and visitors can enjoy the breathtaking fall foliage as autumn approaches in the Smoky Mountains. The cooler temperatures in late September and early October give the leaves a stunning range of red, orange, and yellow hues.
The peak of the fall foliage season is usually in mid-October or early November when you can see the beautiful fall colors practically everywhere you look in the Smokies.
Traffic in national parks can be a hassle, but there are plenty of trails to take if you want to avoid it. Hiking allows you to get away from crowds and see beautiful scenery instead.
If hiking is part of your travel plans, we recently wrote about our favorite hikes, camping and fun in the Smoky Mountains and we found some great hiking trails in Little Rock, Arkansas!
Save money with the Smoky Mountains Sightseeing Pass
4. Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia Scenic Drive
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll see split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows, and scenic overlooks as you drive.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is over 400 miles, so there are plenty of unique stops you can make along the way! Check out the numerous hiking trails or visit a local farm to pick some autumnal produce.
5. The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia
If you’re looking for a place to see beautiful fall foliage, don’t forget the southern parts of the United States. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia are a great option, with colors just as stunning as those in New England.
Several towns are worth visiting with beautiful state routes connecting them, so you’ll see stunning scenery as you drive from town to town. Tallulah Falls, Clayton, Helen, Hiawassee, Blue Ridge, and Ellijay are just a few that you should add to your itinerary.
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6. Epic Road Trip Miami to Key West
The drive from Miami to Key West is a beautiful tropical getaway that offers plenty of opportunities to stop and see the many attractions in Florida (we also have a new travel guide for South Beach Miami). You can drive across the famous 7 Mile Bridge that will take you across the beautiful water to Key West. [We have a recent review of Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo]
Once you arrive in Key West, there is no shortage of things to do. You can wander the narrow streets and explore the many colorful houses or take a boat ride out to the remote reefs. Our Key West in a day guide is a great way to start planning your trip!
7. The Scenic Drive of Route 66
Route 66 is one of the most iconic roads in the United States, so it’s worth exploring, even if you only make it a part of it. The highway has been featured in songs and movies! So there’s a good chance you’ll see some of those highlights along the way.
8. Great River Road from Minnesota to Louisiana
The National Scenic Byway along the course of the Mississippi River is nearly 3,000 miles long. It starts in northern Minnesota and goes down through Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico. The byway offers beautiful views of the river banks and vast forests.
The Great River Road passes through 10 states and hundreds of river towns, making it one of America’s most iconic scenic routes. It is a beautiful place to travel in the fall. The colors are so vivid, and the scenery is incredible. Parks along the route offer great landscape views, making them perfect places to enjoy autumn while traveling.
If a stop in New Orleans is in the plans on your scenic drive, make sure to check out our recent articles to make your planning easy:
- Best Haunted Places in New Orleans to Visit
- Free DIY Self-Guided New Orleans Cocktail Tour
- Surprisingly Nice Stay: Review of Stay at Kimpton’s Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans
9. West Elk Loop Historic Byway in Colorado
The most spectacular aspen grove in Colorado produces a stunning display of gold, orange, and crimson leaves every autumn. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley has a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities and fall festivals during the season.
The byway circles stunning scenery, including mountain ranges and alpine wildflowers. At the same time, the Black Canyon of Gunnison is the only canyon with such a narrow opening, steep walls, and gigantic depth.
You can see our video short of the above mountain pic here.
We also have a recent article on the best craft breweries in Colorado to visit!
10. The Epic Grand Canyon
Visiting the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is an excellent destination for travelers who want to avoid the crowds at the South Rim. Though it doesn’t offer as iconic views as the canyon offers many unique spectacular vistas and experiences, making it much more easily accessible from Las Vegas.
Several sights and attractions are located in the Hualapai area of Grand Canyon West, including the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. It stretches 70 feet from the edge of Eagle Point and provides views 4,000 feet below. There are five layers of glass, so it’s safe to stand with other people and enjoy the views of the Grand Canyon!
Getaway to the Grand Canyon with these flexible cancellation vacation rentals from Vrbo!
11. Mount Charleston in Nevada
This beautiful mountain is a great place to take a break from the high energy of Las Vegas. It offers numerous outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, camping, and hiking.
Mount Charleston is a popular hiking destination in the fall. The landscape is awash in bold strokes of autumn color, and gold aspen leaves are tossed along the path.
12. Lamoille Scenic Byway in Nevada
The Lamoille Canyon is the “Grand Canyon” of Nevada. It should be a must-see for anyone traveling on Interstate 80 through Elko. The 12-mile drive up the canyon whisks you away to 8,800 feet, following a U-shaped canyon flush with summer wildflowers and spectacular colors in the fall.
The scenery is breathtaking, the drive easy, and by visiting Lamoille Canyon, you’ll see a part of Nevada that only locals ever visit.
13. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park has over two million acres of land to explore! With five park entrances, numerous geyser basins, and scenic drives through valleys filled with elk and bison, there is plenty to do here.
The leaves and grasses in Yellowstone National Park turn a lovely yellow and orange during the fall. There is a different kind of freshness in the air, and the masses of summer tourists are returning home.
14. Pacific Coast Highway in California
The road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco is gorgeous. The winding roads and picturesque towns will take your breath away.
One route that is sure to please is the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The drive is just under 3,000 miles, but you will find stunningly beautiful landscapes.
We compiled the best drive trip stops on Pacific Coast Highway here!
15. The Oregon Trail
Scenic Drive from Oregon to Massachusetts
The Oregon Trail road trip begins in Cannon Beach on the rugged coast of Oregon. It takes you through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York before ending in the seaside community of Provincetown in Massachusetts.
You’ll also see various natural beauty, including mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, hiking trails, prehistoric fossils, and historic sites. You’ll also enjoy some of the best food you’ve ever had.
Bottom Line on Epic Road Trips to Try
Many road trips in the U.S. are worth taking at least once in your lifetime! The routes are long, but the rewards are worth it.
Have you tried any of these epic road trips or are you planning any? Let us know in the comments!
Also, if you don’t have time for a long trip check out our Quick Vacation Trip Ideas article!
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If Louisiana is on your travel list check out our new article on the Best Haunted Places in New Orleans to Visit!