The ultimate fall foliage road trip across the USA

The Columbia River Gorge, between Washington and Oregon, is always a gorgeous drive. Throw in fir, cottonwood, maple, ash, and pine trees that glow with golden-hued leaves during the fall and you may never want to leave this mystifying riverbank.

Tahoe’s Fallen Leaf Lake got its name for a reason: large swaths of Aspen trees hug the shoreline, and when their leaves turn bright colors in the fall the scenic lake is evermore stunning. For more leaf-peeping, head down Highway 89 to Hope Valley where there are road pullouts and hiking access to a network of trails through brilliant stands of autumnal Aspen trees.

See nature’s paintbrush at play during autumn in Southern Utah. Stop in the city of Parowan before taking the Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway south toward the namesake natural amphitheater — running a half-mile deep, the geologic wonder creates a supreme backdrop for fall's changing leaves. Next, take the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway and make a pit stop at Woods Ranch. Situated in a lush aspen and pine forest, the ranch is a perfect spot for a fall-themed picnic and a breath of fresh air.

Located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in northern New Mexico, Taos marks another spot to see gorgeous fall foliage in a desert landscape. The easiest way to see the seasonal display is via the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a 83-mile loop. True to its name, the enchanted byway is lined with bright yellow and orange aspen trees that round out a uniquely New Mexican landscape of mountains, valleys, and mesa.

Next, make your way as fast (and as safely) as you can to Aspen. Why the rush? The Colorado city's colorful season is especially short, lasting from just mid-September to early October. But if you do happen to arrive in that golden window, you'll be greeted with thousands of aspen trees in rich yellow hues.

An autumn-inspired road trip of its own, the San Juan Skyway covers 236 miles, so you'll need to commit between five to seven hours – but it's totally worth it. The drive takes you through the Old West town of Durango, the 'Million Dollar Highway' connecting Silverton to Ouray, Telluride and ultimately Mesa Verde National Park.

After a long-haul drive through Kansas, head southeast into the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Famous for its massive lakes in the summertime, it's also a great fall getaway after crowds trickle away and the temperature cools. Come autumn, the forest turns shades of gold and maroon across rivers, springs, canyons, and bluffs.

Head back north to this small town just 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Here, you'll find Morton Arboretum, a public garden and outdoor museum that’s home to 4,200 types of trees. Take a hike on one of the arboretum’s trails or explore the gardens, wetlands, and other all-natural areas spread throughout 1,700 acres.

Every autumn, before white winter weather blankets the Midwest, Wisconsin Dells gets one more splash of color as the region's linden, oak, and elm trees turn vivid and festive. Stroll beneath autumn’s colors along the tree-lined Wisconsin Dells River Walk, or head to Devil's Lake State Park (or even Mirror Lake State Park) where mornings are crisp and the fall scenery is unbeatable.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula borders three of the Great Lakes and includes more than 4 million acres of protected forestland — in other words, it’s a wonderland of fall foliage opportunities. Take your pick from over 20 state parks within the region where ash, aspen, beech, birch, maple, oak, sycamore, and tamarack trees pop with fall colors.

Stretching 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a scenic drive from North Carolina to Virginia. Once fall hits, the already stunning landscape goes the extra mile: dogwood, sassafras, and maple trees that line every curve turn into vibrant displays of yellows, oranges, and reds.

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This 32-mile corridor through National Heritage land is 75 percent farmland and incorporates 35 towns. Also known as Route 169, the Scenic Byway runs from Connecticut to Massachusetts, gently scything its way through Connecticut's 'quiet corner.'

Boston's Public Garden, America’s first botanical garden, is the green heart of the city. As fall descends, the leaves in the Public Garden are some of the first to change in Boston, making it a sight to behold. And with such a diverse array of trees, leaves from each species change at different times, which means you never know what you're going to see.

Originally, the Mohawk Trail was a trail that connected Native American communities along the Atlantic coast, but now the 69-mile trail is a fall foliage follower's fantasy. Connecting Athol to Williamstown, running parallel to the Deerfield River and over the Connecticut River, it offers breathtaking views of the Berkshires and Taconic Mountains.

90 miles north of Manhattan, the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway is an 88-mile loop in New York between Kerhonkson and New Paltz. Go for a drive and you’ll be in prime leaf-spotting terrain as you ascend into the Shawangunk Mountains, which rise more than 2,000 feet above sea level.

This lesser-known locale in the Catskills is growing in popularity thanks to the quiet, quaint town Hunter and its accompanying mountain. Spend days exploring this incredible area of oustanding natural beauty, both by car and on foot. 

The maple, birch, and beech trees that cover Vermont’s mountainsides put on one of the most dazzling displays of fall foliage in the country. The Green Mountain Byway is an extra special drive that offers scenic views of forests, waterfalls, and state parks.

Don’t worry about the pronunciation of Kancamagus Highway — just call it beautiful. This road winds through the White Mountains past rivers, ponds, and gorgeous vistas as a variety of festive colors sprinkle the roads, changing with elevation. Don’t forget to make a pit stop at the Pemigewasset Overlook, a great spot to watch the sunset over seasonal reds, yellows, and oranges.