Scenic routes through small towns make the best fall road trips. Each bend reveals fresh views, while farmers’ markets and cozy cafes tempt you to pull over. This year, travelers are hitting the highways, turning autumn drives into one of the season’s biggest draws.
Fall travel is more than just watching the leaves change. It’s the joy of sharing snacks, swapping songs and stopping at places you didn’t expect that turns every route into a drive filled with fun and discovery.
Big Sur, California
The Santa Lucia Mountains drop steeply into the Pacific along Big Sur’s rugged coastline. Highway 1 traces this edge, with clear skies and cooler temperatures showcasing the dramatic ocean views. With fewer cars on the road, it’s easier to stop and take in the scenery.
From Garrapata State Park to Ragged Point, the route covers trailheads, rocky beaches and scenic overlooks. Pullouts provide cliffside views of waves, and you may spot condors gliding overhead.
A pause in The Village, Big Sur, offers a chance to refuel and explore. Shops stock sourdough, local cheese and fall produce that are easy to bring along on the road trip. Landmarks such as Bixby Bridge or Pfeiffer Beach invite longer breaks, without needing a plan.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock welcomes visitors with roads, attractions and businesses ready for visitors. The surrounding High Country delivers sweeping fall foliage, especially near Grandfather Mountain and Moses Cone Memorial Park.
Travelers can also shop downtown, visit Tweetsie Railroad and Mystery Hill or stop for a slice of pie at a local cafe. Hiking trails, birdwatching spots and spas offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors, making the town an accessible and refreshing outdoor travel destination.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Sister Bay has grown into one of Door County’s top spots for food, music and lakefront views. The village spans 1,900 feet of public waterfront, with patios and decks overlooking the bay. Visitors can walk from the beach to a concert, then end the day with dinner at a rooftop restaurant.
The drive up from Sturgeon Bay fills the roadside with fall color, as cherry orchards and maple forests line both sides of the highway. Downtown, ice cream stands, craft galleries and coffee shops sit within easy walking distance.
After browsing shops or biking local trails, travelers can cool off with a swim in the bay or stroll the marina boardwalk. Beer gardens and waterfront decks provide a relaxed place to watch boats move through the harbor.
Hood River, Oregon
Hood River sits where the Columbia River Gorge meets the Cascade Range, a landscape shaped by water, wind and volcanic peaks. The town is known as the windsurfing capital of the world, but it’s just as appealing to hikers, mountain bikers and wine lovers.
Roadside orchards and farm stands sell fresh pears, cider and pastries made with local fruit. Nearby waterfalls crash down canyon walls, while scenic overlooks offer views of the river winding through basalt cliffs. Breweries and cafes line the streets, most with views of the river or nearby ridgelines.
Phoenicia, New York
Phoenicia sits in the heart of the Catskill Forest Preserve, surrounded by trees that burst into color each fall. The Tanbark Trail starts just behind the post office and rewards hikers with views after a steep but short climb. Giant Ledge, located a few miles away, features rock outcroppings and panoramic views that showcase the season in full.
Route 28 links Phoenicia with Mt. Tremper and Shandaken, passing by orchards, trailheads and small general stores. Scenic pull-offs reveal the Esopus Creek and forested slopes glowing red and gold. Downtown stays quiet and easy to navigate, with kettle corn stalls, cafes and galleries in converted cabins.
What to pack for the ride
Packing smart makes the trip smoother and more enjoyable. A cooler of snacks, a few cozy drinks and a well-chosen playlist can turn hours in the car into a highlight of the season.
Go-to savory road trip snacks
Simple, functional snacks set the tone for the drive, especially when the next town is an hour away. Roasted nuts add crunch, apple slices stay fresh in a cooler and aged cheese holds up well even in chilly fall air. Keeping them close at hand means no one goes hungry, and the ride feels smoother with easy bites ready whenever the mood strikes.
Sweet treats that travel well
Baked goods and chocolate seem to taste better with autumn views rolling past the windows. Pumpkin bread keeps moist for days, while oatmeal or spiced cookies pack neatly in a tin and won’t crumble under jackets or maps.
Warm drinks to sip on the road
A thermos of hot cider or chai brings a piece of fall along the trip. A second flask of coffee can be a lifesaver at picnic pull-offs, trailheads or quiet overlooks where the air turns cold. These warm sips do more than take the chill off; they set the rhythm for the trip, each stop marked by steam rising into the cool air.
Playlist ideas for fall drives
Music ties the scenery and company together. Acoustic folk and classic soul make easy companions for winding roads, while upbeat tracks keep spirits high on longer stretches. The right playlist makes two hours slip by effortlessly, turning a routine drive into a shared memory everyone hums along with.
The journey’s end
Fall road trips remain one of the season’s most inviting getaways, more than just drives between destinations. With foliage at its peak and small towns greeting visitors with farm stands and warm drinks, travelers have plenty of reasons to get behind the wheel. The appeal lies in how these routes blend sharp views, seasonal flavors and unexpected stops into journeys as memorable as the places themselves.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
The post The best scenic fall road trips for cozy vibes and great snacks appeared first on Food Drink Life.
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