Buckle up for this epic fall foliage road trip across the United States

The Columbia River, which divides Washington and Oregon, is always a gorgeous sight, but throw in fir, cottonwood, maple, ash and pine trees ablaze in a wash of golden-hued leaves and you may never want to leave this gorgeous riverbank—but it wouldn't be a road trip if you didn't move on. 

Discover the best things to do in Oregon

Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe got its name for a reason. The beautiful lake has large swaths of Aspens along its shoreline that turn bright colors in the fall. For more leaf peeping, head down Highway 89 to Hope Valley for road pullouts and hiking access to a network of trails through brilliant stands of Aspens. 

Discover the best things to do in South Lake Tahoe

See nature’s paintbrush at play during fall in Southern Utah. Stop in Parowan before taking the Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway south to see the namesake natural amphitheater, which creates a supreme backdrop for fall leaves. Then take the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway and make a pit stop at Woods Ranch, situated in a lush aspen and pine forest, for a fall-themed picnic. 

Discover the best things to do in Utah

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 colors is via the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a 83-mile loop lined with bright yellow and orange aspen trees. 

Discover the bes things to do in New Mexico

Next, make your way as fast (and as safely) as you can to Aspen. The Colorado city's colorful season is 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. 

Discover the best things to do in Colorado

After a long-haul drive through barren Kansas, you'll head southeast into the heart of Missouri's centrally located Ozark Mountains. This famous lake spot offers much more than summertime fun, it's also a great fall getaway, where you'll see the forest turn shades of gold and maroon in addition to enjoying less-crowded amenities and cooler temps. 

Discover the best things to do in Missouri

Then it's back north to this small town 30-minutes outside of Chicago where you'll find Morton Arboretum and its incredible 4,200 types of trees. Take a hike on one of the many trails or explore the gardens, wetlands and other natural areas. In the East Woods, Virginia creeper vines turn red and bur oaks drop their yellowing leaves.

Discover more fall foliage near Chicago

While the entire mitten offers some great fall visuals, Michigan's Upper Peninsula borders three of the Great Lakes and includes more than 4 million acres of protected forest lands. Take your pick from the 20-plus state parks that mark the region to see ash, aspen, beech, birch, maple, oak, sycamore, and tamarack trees come alive with fall colors. 

Discover the best things to do in Michigan

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 road is lined with yellow, red, and orange dogwood, sassafras and maple trees making for a gorgeous drive no matter how many miles you put in. 

Discover the best things to do in North Carolina

Ninety miles north of Manhattan, the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway is an 88-mile loop between Kerhonkson and New Paltz which offers drive-by gawkers some of the state’s most picturesque views. The prime leaf-spotting happens as you ascend into the Shawangunk Mountains, which rise more than 2,000 feet above sea level. 

Discover more places to see fall foliage in New York

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. With such a diverse array of trees in the Garden, leaves of the different species are changing at different rates, you never know what you're going to see. 

Discover more fall foliage near Boston

Don’t worry about the pronunciation of Kancamagus Highway, just take this winding road through the White Mountains past rivers, ponds, and gorgeous views. You’ll see a variety of colors as the mountain roads vary in elevation. The Pemigewasset Overlook is a great spot to watch the sun set over the seasonal reds, yellows, and oranges.

The maple, birch, and beech trees that cover Vermont put on one of the most dazzling displays of fall foliage in the USA. The Green Mountain Byway is extra special, offering scenic views of forests, waterfalls, and state parks. Or head to Green Mountain National Forest where you can take in the colorful foliage with a hike. 

Discover the best things to do in Vermont