Summary

• New Hampshire's scenic drives offer breathtaking fall foliage views, spanning from charming towns to stunning mountain ranges. It's a must-visit destination for leaf peepers.
• The Multi-Notch Scenic Drive and Hancock Overlook Drive are great options for those looking for longer, more scenic drives through forests and mountains. The Kancamagus Highway is a popular route.
• Other scenic drives include the Currier & Ives Scenic Byway, Pinkham Notch Loop, Lakes Region Tour, Mount Washington Auto Road, Mount Monadnock Loop, General John Stark Scenic Byway, Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway, Moose Path Trail, and American Independence Byway. Each drive offers unique sights and experiences.

New Hampshire is most beautiful in autumn, thanks to the breathtaking fall foliage. The magnificent display of colors entices travelers from different parts of the world. Going on scenic drives is one of the best ways to experience most of New Hampshire's fall foliage, as they can be seen from as far as 1000 miles of the state's designated drives and byways.

When getting through these scenic drives, vacationers are likely to encounter covered bridges, historical sites, brilliant waterways, beautiful vistas, and more. Planning an autumn trip to New Hampshire? Here are some scenic fall drives in the state for leaf peepers.

UPDATE: 2023/10/13 17:12 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Even More Fall-Worthy Drives For People In New Hampshire!

This article has been updated with two more scenic drives, tips for tourists in New Hampshire, and expanded talking points. From the mountains to the city, New Hampshire is a MUST this fall season. There are leaves and state parks galore!

12 Multi-Notch Scenic Drive

• This drive spans 142 miles and runs through the Kancamagus Highway.

For those wanting to take a longer scenic driving trip this fall, the Multi-Notch Scenic Drive in New Hampshire is the way to go. Along this 142-mile journey, tourists can witness stunning forest views and mountain ranges and cross through charming towns. From Conway, turn west on Rt. 112, the Kancamagus Highway (locals call it the Kanc), which offers 34.5 miles of stunning mountain scenery through the White Mountain National Forest. From there, drivers want to land in Lincoln, where they can either turn north onto I-93 through Franconia Notch State Park and its soaring mountain peaks, then onto Rt. 3 to Twin Mountain. There are endless portions of drive to take on with this option, so feel free to turn it into a mini road trip!

11 Hancock Overlook Drive

• Follows through the White Mountains and consists of the Kancamgus Highway.

Another iconic fall drive for those in New Hampshire is the Hancock Overlook. This is known to be one of the more scenic choices for the state and boasts parts of the Kancamgus Highway. This is a popular route, spanning a 35-mile-long scenic drive that cuts through the White Mountains connecting the towns of Lincoln and Conway. Again, you will be on the Kancamgus Highway for part of this drive, so this is a nice stop along the way. It's short once you're there, but well worth the journey. There are panoramic views of the fall leaves and mountains.

Guests of the state can also enjoy these fall hikes while in New Hampshire this fall.

10 Kancamagus Highway

• This is a 34-mile scenic highway through the middle of the White Mountain National Forest.

Also known as Route 112, the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway is an incredibly scenic passing through the middle of the White Mountain National Forest amidst Conway and Lincoln. While travelers will most likely find this beautiful driveway packed with other leaf peepers during weekends, it is truly a fall wonderland, thanks to all the shouting colors bordering the highway. There is a lot that this scenic drive offers travelers. Other than being a leaf peepers' paradise, it is a fantastic gateway to some of the state's best hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, beautiful campgrounds, and historical sites, among others.

9 Currier & Ives Scenic Byway

• This scenic route takes visitors through the Merrimack Valley as well as other towns.

Winding through New Hampshire’s towns of Hopkinton, Webster, Henniker, Warner, and Salisbury, Currier & Ives Scenic Byway is another haven for leaf peepers, leading travelers through the state's enchanting towns and the Merrimack Valley. From Route 202 in Hillsboro, travelers should drive northeast along the Contoocook River and enjoy the striking fall foliage views that abound.

From here, drive through Hopkinton, a charming village that was once the state's capital. Once at the junction of Route 103 to 127, drive north as if heading toward the towns of Warner and Webster. Along this drive, visitors will see the beautiful downtowns and vistas, which they should definitely make a stop to explore. The Contoocook Covered Railroad Bridge, New Hampshire's oldest railroad bridge, is located along this scenic drive.

8 Pinkham Notch Loop

• The Pinkham Notch Loop covers 100 miles and offers great views of the mountains.

Covering 100 miles, Pinkham Notch Loop offers spectacular views of the state's gorgeous mountains and the countryside. From North Conway, travelers can follow Route 16 north and drive through Pinkham Notch, where breathtaking Presidential Range views await. The other side of the same route will lead travelers to Gorham, New Hampshire. It is the hometown of Jackson, which features white churches, covered bridges, and numerous picturesque mountains – all surrounded by incredible fall colors.

7 The Lakes Region Tour And Its Scenic Drive

• The Lakes Region scenic loop boasts stunning foliage and spans Route 11 and 25.

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, including the charming lakeside towns and water bodies - is always painted in striking colors of autumn leaves. This loop surrounds New Hampshire's largest and most famous lake, Lake Winnipesaukee. Beginning the scenic drive from Alton, travelers can go with Route 11 and head towards Gilford and Weirs Beach. Weirs Beach is home to fantastic restaurants, a gorgeous public beach, a fantastic boardwalk, and several activities a whole family would find fun doing. Making a stop there is a must-do before driving towards Meredith.

From there, one can follow Route 25, heading towards Moultonborough. Before picking Route 109, travelers take a moment and enjoy the beautiful colors surrounding Center Harbor. Route 109 takes visitors to Wolfeboro, America’s oldest summer resort. This route is full of gorgeous colors of fall foliage, and many travelers would choose to go back.

6 Mt. Washington Auto Road

• Mt. Washington Auto Road is located within the NH Route 16, also known for its stunning fall foliage.

Located on the stunning NH Route 16, about 25 minutes north of North Conway, Mt. Washington Auto Road offers breathtaking fall views into the Great Gulf Wilderness, thanks to its position in the Pinkham Notch. Travelers will also get a glimpse of the Presidential Mountain Range. Launched in 1861 as a carriage road, Mt. Washington is an eight-mile scenic drive to the Mountain's Peak, where travelers will be awarded panoramic views of the striking colors of the deciduous trees' leaves.

Mount Washington Summit is also in the area, boasting incredible wind speeds.

5 Mount Monadnock Loop

• This drive takes people to Mount Monadnock Mountain, standing over 3,000 feet.

The highlight of this scenic drive is Mount Monadnock, standing at 3,165 feet high. Covering 80 miles from Keene, this loop passes through Marlborough, Marlow, and Peterborough. Travelers can follow Route 101 toward Marlborough and then drive south on Route 124 through Monadnock State Park. There are brilliant public services in this park, and several hiking trails go through lush vegetation that glows in beautiful fall colors. From there, head north on Route 123 to Peterborough and then head to Greenfield by following Route 136. From there, drive through Forest Road, then to Hancock on Route 123 to the gorgeous Marlow. One can then choose to go back to Keene.

4 General John Stark Scenic Byway

• This scenic drive lasts 34 miles and passes through the towns of Goffstown, Dunbarton, Weare, and New Boston.

Covering 34 miles, this beautiful drive passes through Goffstown, Dunbarton, Weare, and New Boston. From Goffstown, follow route 13 and then drive to New Boston. This drive stretches along the Pistacataquong River; then, it goes through Mont Vernon, Milford, and Brookline to the Massachusetts border. Throughout the scenic byway is breathtaking fall foliage, which brightens up the whole area.

3 Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway

• This scenic fall drive lasts 30 minutes and is along Route 103 and 11.

Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway stretches for about 30 minutes and allows visitors to discover the autumn colors sprinkled along the area's mountains, farmlands, riverways, and lakes. From Newbury, follow Route 103 heading north, and enjoy the gorgeous views of Mount Sunapee. Once at the Route 11 junction, drive north toward Lake Sunapee and maybe stop and take a bite from the harbor. The surrounding fall foliage is awe-inspiring and even more breathtaking when they get reflected on the lake's blue waters. One can continue driving east on Route 11 up to New London. From here, vacationers will enjoy the magnificent views of the towering Mount Kearsarge and the surrounding beautiful fall foliage.

2 Moose Path Trail

• This scenic drive takes people along Route 16 to 26, then to Route 3 towards Pittsburg.

This scenic drive offers travelers an incredible opportunity to experience a true wilderness. From Gorham, take route 16 and drive north towards the town of Errol. Once in town, pick Route 26 and drive to Dixville Notch, and then head north to the gorgeous town of Pittsburg on Route 3. There are several miles of off-roading trails for visitors who may still be craving more foliage views. One can try ATVing in the region or engage in an autumn hike. Again, there will be endless towns offering fall views in this charming US state.

1 American Independence Byway

• This is a historical drive and includes attractions like the American Independence Museum.

On this scenic drive, vacationers will connect with New Hampshire's incredible history, starting from the Exeter Center, the location of the American Independence Museum. Before starting the journey, one can take a moment at the museum and learn something about the region’s history. Now, let’s embark on the scenic drive. From the Exeter Center, take route 150 and drive south through Kensington. Take Route 84 and head east to Hampton Falls. At the falls, travelers will encounter lots of apple orchards to spice up the fall adventure. Then take Route 1 North, then Route 27, and drive towards Route 1A for more spectacular fall foliage views.