Take a New England Fall Road Trip and get lost in the colors. As fall hits the Northeast, the landscape becomes a masterpiece of red, orange, and gold.
But where are the best places to see the fall foliage? Which roads have the most stunning views? Let this guide be your leaf-peeping companion in New England.
The Northeast US has the most incredible fall scenery; people come worldwide to see it. A New England Fall Road Trip is the way to experience it.
We’ve driven these roads and visited these towns for years, so I’ve curated this itinerary to show you the most beautiful autumn views.
- The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip for Families
- How to Plan a New England Fall Road Trip
- Best Time to See the Leaves in New England Fall
- New England Fall Foliage Drives in New Hampshire
- New England Fall Foliage Drives in Massachusetts
- New England Fall Foliage Drives in Maine
- New England Fall Foliage Drives in Rhode Island
- New England Fall Foliage Drive in Connecticut
- New England Fall Foliage Drives in Vermont
- Final Thoughts
- Find More Amazing Fall Foliage Near You!
The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip for Families
This will help you plan your New England Fall Road Trip so you don’t miss a single red maple or yellow birch. From secret back roads to famous overlooks, you’ll find the best places to see the show.
How to Plan a New England Fall Road Trip
When planning your New England Fall Road Trip, flexibility is key, especially if seeing the foliage is your top priority. Peak color timing is unpredictable and can change with the weather and local conditions. While an RV is the ultimate way to chase the best leaf displays, a hotel-based itinerary can work, too. Know your priorities and plan accordingly.
The show’s stars are the maple trees, whose leaves go from green to yellow, red, and orange before turning brown. To increase your chances of seeing them at their peak, be flexible and adjust your route as conditions change.
Since autumn is the busiest time of year in New England, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance. Whether you prefer B&Bs or hotel chains, book early to save yourself the hassle later.
Best Time to See the Leaves in New England Fall
A New England fall road trip requires flexibility. The changing nature of the foliage makes this a different adventure every year.
Photo by: Philippe Murray-Pietsch
We recommend the ever-changing leaf-peeping guides:
Find Peak Color in New England
New Hampshire Foliage Tracking
Many things influence the colors of the leaves. Recent weather, rainfall, wind, and temperature all play a big role. But it’s not just about this season – climate conditions throughout the entire year can impact the intensity and timing of the fall show.
Since fall foliage is so unpredictable, you must use multiple forecasting tools when planning your New England fall road trip. These will give you insight into the peak times for each region so you can make the most of your leaf-peeping.
Remember, the beauty of a New England fall road trip is its unpredictability. Enjoy the adventure, and be prepared to change your plans as Mother Nature reveals her masterpiece.
New England Fall Foliage Drives in New Hampshire
New England Fall Road Trip: The White Mountains Fall
At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the big cheese of northern New Hampshire. Our family’s favorite fall memories have been made on the twisty roads of Routes 16 and 302 through the beautiful White Mountains.
Every year, as the leaves start to change, we take our annual trip to this natural wonderland. The adventures include hiking, climbing, touring, and exploring. While any drive on these scenic byways will give you great fall views, there are a few must-sees.
The Mount Washington Auto Road is a must-see. While hiking and the historic Cog Railway are other options, the Auto Road is the only way to drive to the top. There is a toll for private cars (and guided tours are also available), but the drive itself is an adventure.
As you go up, watch as the forests give way to stunted, wind sculpted trees. At the top, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the White Mountains in fall color. The summit also has a visitor center where you can learn about the mountain’s extreme weather, including the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth.
The Auto Road has many pullouts, hiking trails, and interpretive areas along the way. But be sure to bring snacks, as modern amenities are few and far between on this wilderness road.
For a break from driving, head to Santa’s Village. Located north of the Kancamagus Highway, this fun theme park is a full day of family fun in the White Mountains during fall.
New England Fall Road Trip in the Lake Winnipesaukee
While the White Mountains of New Hampshire get all the attention for their fall foliage, the state’s central Lakes Region is just as lovely. A casual drive around this area gives you a different perspective, where the calm water mirrors the colors, and you get double the fall fun.
At the center of it all is Lake Winnipesaukee, the gem of New Hampshire’s lakes. Start your scenic drive around the lake in the charming town of Meredith. Head east on Route 25, and the landscape unfolds through Center Harbor and Moultonborough before you get to the quaint town of Wolfeboro. Stop and stretch your legs at Wentworth State Park, where the fall air will invigorate you.
Continue on Route 109, then merge onto Route 28 at the lake’s southern end. From there, head north on Route 11, which follows the lake’s shoreline. Then, connect with Route 3 and head back to Meredith. This loop drive takes you around the entire lake, and each bend reveals new fall treasures.
Things to do
If you want to enjoy the fall even more, the Squam Lake Nature Center, just north of Winnipesaukee, offers the perfect combination of wildlife viewing and easy walking trails. The center’s interactive exhibits will help you better understand the local wildlife and the area’s natural history.
For families who want to add some extra excitement, head to Monkey Trunks, a ropes course surrounded by fall colors. This adventure park has different difficulty levels, so you can experience the fall from a whole new height.
New England Fall Foliage Drives in Massachusetts
New England Fall Road Trip: The Berkshires in Fall
Go on an autumn adventure through Western Massachusetts’ beautiful Berkshires. This area offers families a stunning display of fall foliage along roads that wind through quaint villages in the hills.
One of the most charming routes takes you to the base of Mount Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest peak, then through the academic towns of North Adams and Williamstown.
Start your journey just north of Lanesborough on Route 7. From there, follow Rockwell Road for 10 miles to the top. Along the way, stop at the Mount Greylock Visitor Center and take a hike on one of the many trails.
As Rockwell Road joins Notch Road, you’ll start to climb higher up the mountain. Your destination? The War Memorial Tower. You’ll have views of multiple states and the entire autumn landscape from here.
After taking in the views, head back down Notch Road. Connect with Route 2, then Route 7, and you’ll be back in Lanesborough, completing the loop.
For more family fun, nearby Hancock has Jiminy Peak. Open through October, this outdoor playground has an aerial tree course, mountain coaster, alpine slide, and giant swing. For a more laid-back experience, take a chairlift ride to the top and enjoy the fall colors.
New England Fall Road Trip: Cranberry Season in Massachusetts Fall
Massachusetts Fall has more to offer than just great foliage. As the leaves change color, another colorful show unfolds in the cranberry bogs south of Boston. This area is the hub of activity during the fall harvest season, and you can experience the cranberry season yourself.
Start in Plympton at the AD Makepeace Company. Here, you can see the cranberry harvest, take a guided tour, or even help with the harvest if you make arrangements in advance. As you leave Plympton, take Route 58 to North Carver to see more bogs along the way.
For family fun, stop in Carver at Edaville. This place has a big collection of trains and rides for kids. The highlight is Thomas Land, where the “Really Useful Engine” is the show’s star.
Continue on Route 58 to Route 28 to Wareham. From there, take Route 6 to the coast. In Sagamore, take Route 3A, and you’ll be on a scenic road that hugs the shore.
As you head north on this coastal route, you’ll pass through quaint coastal towns and end up in historic Plymouth. Here, you can stop at Plimoth Patuxet (formerly Plimoth Plantation), where families can stretch their legs and taste early American history.
This trip is all in Massachusetts’s fall: cranberry harvest, coastal views, and history. It is the perfect way to experience the cranberry season and New England’s fall.
New England Fall Foliage Drives in Maine
New England Fall Road Trip in the Kennebunks
Maine’s natural beauty and coastal views have been attracting visitors for years. While lovely year-round, the Kennebunks, where the Bush family used to summer, really come alive in the fall.
Take an autumnal drive through this lovely area to see wildlife, a rugged coast, and quintessential New England fall foliage. Start in Kennebunk and head south on Route One to Wells. Stop at the Wells Reserve, hike the trails, and join a ranger-led program.
Backtrack to Route 9 and cut through the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Look for wildlife in their natural habitat. As you continue on Route 9 to Kennebunkport, take any of the side roads to the shore. The Ocean Ave loop is a favorite among visitors.
Continue on Route 9 to the beautiful Goose Rocks Beach. After enjoying the coastal views, go back to Route 9 and take West Street back to where it meets Route One. Follow Route One south to complete the loop in Kennebunk and enjoy the best of the fall season in this lovely Maine area.
New England Fall Road Trip in the Fall Color of Acadia National Park
Located on Maine’s rocky coast, Acadia National Park becomes a fall wonderland every autumn. This crown of the National Park System has a rugged shoreline and mountains, so it’s perfect for leaf peepers and nature lovers.
For the ultimate fall experience, drive the Schoodic National Scenic Byway. This road winds through the park’s most beautiful fall views and is the essence of coastal Maine in the fall.
As you drive the byway, you’ll see a visual buffet: fall color drapes the slopes of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island against the deep blue of the Atlantic. Charming fishing villages dot the landscape, their harbors full of bobbing lobster boats and historic lighthouses standing guard over the rocky shore.
There are picnic spots, hiking trails, and plenty of places to stop and take it all in. Be sure to try some local specialties along the way – a bowl of hot lobster chowder or a slice of wild blueberry pie is the taste of Maine.
Acadia in the fall will leave you with memories that will last long after the leaves are gone. The combination of coastal and mountain is the essence of New England’s fall.
New England Fall Foliage Drives in Rhode Island
New England Fall Road Trip in the Blackstone River Valley
In the heart of New England, the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is a reminder of the region’s industrial past. Once the birthplace of technological innovation during the Industrial Revolution, the Blackstone River is now a natural beauty, especially in the fall.
For those who want to get into the valley’s charm, a leisurely drive along Routes 100 and 96 in northern Rhode Island is the way to go. This scenic route takes you through quaint old mill towns, each with its own story to tell. You can visit antique shops and country stores to glimpse the area’s cultural heritage.
For the full experience, take a Blackstone River Explorer boat tour. These guided tours give you a bird’ s-eye view of the valley and allow you to take in the natural beauty and history of the area. The valley is beautiful any time of year, but it’s a masterpiece of reds, oranges, and gold in the fall, so this is the perfect time to take the plunge.
New England Fall Road Trip in the Autumn Splendor of Newport, Rhode Island
While Newport’s glamour gets many leaf peepers, smart travelers know to head to nearby Jamestown for peace and quiet. This unassuming island, just a bridge away from Newport’s chaos, is the perfect autumn escape.
Jamestown’s coastal drive offers a unique view of Newport’s skyline, framed by fall colors. The island has two historical treasures that shine even brighter in autumn.
Fort Wetherill, a former military outpost dating back to the Revolutionary War, lets explorers fix their history while surrounded by nature’s changing seasons. Its cliff-top location has stunning views of the bay’s colors.
Just up the road is Beavertail Lighthouse. This iconic lighthouse stands guard over rocky cliffs and crashing waves at the island’s southern tip, a dramatic backdrop for fall’s colors.
For a real adventure, head to Rose Island Lighthouse. A short ferry ride from Jamestown takes you to this isolated haven. Families can be lighthouse keepers for a day or even spend the night surrounded by maritime history and autumn solitude.
When you return to the mainland, take Route 138 to Route 1 and wind along Narragansett’s Ocean Road. This stretch has it all: sandy beaches, rolling waves, and mansions, all dressed up in fall’s finery.
New England Fall Foliage Drive in Connecticut
New England Fall Road Trip in Connecticut River Valley
Connecticut’s fall beauty is often overlooked by its residents, but October sunrises are when the state really shines. While there are many scenic drives in Connecticut, the Connecticut River Valley is the most stunning of them all.
Start in the quaint coastal town of Old Saybrook and head north on Route 154 to Essex. This charming village along the Connecticut River has classic New England architecture surrounded by maples and oaks in full fall splendor.
Take a few minutes to visit the Connecticut River Museum in Essex or go on a foliage tour on the Essex Steam Train. For a different view, combine your train ride with a riverboat tour and see the riverbanks and Gillette Castle from the water.
Continue on Route 154 to Route 82 and head towards Haddam. Cross the swing bridge and follow Route 82 to Gillette Castle. The road will eventually intersect with Route 434, which goes along the river on the east side of Devils Hopyard.
New England Fall Road Trip the Burst in Litchfield County
In the middle of Connecticut is Litchfield County’s rolling hills, and you will be treated to a fall extravaganza. Start in the charming town of Litchfield, then head north on Route 63 to Goshen, then west on Route 4 to get into the color.
Families with little nature lovers might want to take a detour to Action Wildlife in Goshen. This big facility is like a zoo but has spacious animal habitats; you can even feed some of them.
As you head west on Route 4, you will come across Cornwall’s covered bridge – a kid magnet. Look for it just before Route 4 intersects with Route 7, right after Route 128 West.
Follow Route 7 South, and you’ll follow the Housatonic River south to Kent Falls State Park. Here, you can explore waterfalls and hiking trails to stretch your legs mid trip.
Next, pick up Route 202 near New Milford’s town green and head northeast. This will take you to another local favorite, Mount Tom State Park, then back to Litchfield.
If you want to extend your trip, consider visiting the Institute of American Indian Studies just south of Mount Tom in Washington. This museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of indigenous peoples.
To complete the loop, head back to Route 82, which will connect you with Route 156 South and bring you back to where you started.
This drive offers the best of Litchfield County in the fall: natural beauty, history, and education. Don’t forget your camera to capture the color burst of fall in this corner of New England.
New England Fall Foliage Drives in Vermont
New England Fall Road Trip: Vermont, the Route 100 Scenic Byway
Autumn in Vermont is magic, and everyone who sees it falls in love. The fall foliage here is unbeatable, and you’ll be so enchanted that you’ll want to return.
The Route 100 Scenic Byway is the crown jewel of Vermont’s scenic drives. Over 100 miles long, this classic route runs through the heart of the Green Mountain State and is a quilt of quintessential New England. Driving this beloved byway, you’ll pass through charming villages, ski resorts, maple syrup producers, country stores, and many Vermont characters.
Start in the southern town of Ludlow and head north on Route 100. While many side roads tempt you, staying on the main byway will keep you on track. Drive north to the state’s top, almost to the Canadian border.
As you drive this scenic byway, be sure to look out for some of the highlights. Stop by the famous Ben and Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury for a behind-the-scenes ice cream-making tour.
Further north, Stowe Mountain Village is the quintessential Vermont mountain town. For a truly special adventure, head to Eden and visit Eden Dog Sledding, where you can mush with their free-running pack. This experience is available year-round. I’ve done this myself, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
New England Fall Road Trip Changing Leaves from Shores of Lake Champlain
Between Vermont and New York, with Canada just to the north, Lake Champlain is the perfect setting for fall fun. Vermont’s sugar maples are abundant and paint the landscape in glorious color along the water’s edge.
Take the Lake Champlain Scenic Byway, which follows the Vermont coast. Start in Middlebury and head north on Route 7. As you pass through Vergennes, the charming town will tempt you to wander its streets. Continue on to bustling Burlington, and Route 2 will take you along the lake. Cross over to Grand Isle and enjoy the island’s specialness before heading to the Canadian border.
There are many family-friendly stops along this route. State parks line the shore and offer picnic spots and places to wade in the water. The Shelburne Museum has interactive exhibits for culture and hands-on fun. In Burlington, the ECHO Science Center offers education and entertainment focused on the lake.
Final Thoughts
Each New England road trip offers a unique slice of fall magic, whether you’re looking for mountain peaks, coastal charm, or historic towns. As you cruise through vibrant colors, take time to stop, explore, and enjoy the small moments with your family. With so much to see and do, you’ll be making memories that last long after the leaves have fallen.
