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- More Drives Through Vermont's Fall Foliage
Summary
- Vermont offers some of the most impressive fall foliage drives, attracting over one million visitors each October to experience the vibrant colors.
- Scenic drives like the Molly Stark Byway, Lake Champlain Byway, and Smuggler's Notch Road provide breathtaking views of maple and beech trees in reds, oranges, and yellows.
- The routes vary in length and time, from shorter drives like Stowe Hollow Road and Middlebury Gap to longer drives like Route 100 and Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop.
Autumn is an exciting season to explore New England, thanks to the warm weather, beautiful fall foliage, and endless activities to keep travelers busy. The New England region is known for its breathtaking foliage views and fall celebrations through live events and festivals. Apple picking, pumpkin patching, and wandering the free fall festivals in New England are some of the season's major draws among local and international visitors.
But for photography and nature lovers, autumn's favorite activity is leaf peeping on scenic drives. Recognized as one of New England's best states to experience the most impressive foliage, Vermont receives over one million visitors each October, with many of them coming specifically to experience Vermont's best Fall foliage drives. Planning an autumn trip to Vermont? Don't miss these most scenic fall drives.
UPDATE: 2023/10/20 00:54 EST BY NICOLE HANSEN
More Drives Through Vermont's Fall Foliage
Vermont is truly at its best during the Fall. To help travelers make the most of this beautiful and brief time of year, this article has been updated with even more of the best Fall foliage drives in Vermont. From short and sweet routes to multi-hour drives, there are endless roads to explore the colors of Vermont.
Pumpkin Patching: 10 Best Patches To Visit In New England During The Fall
Enjoy the crisp air, autumn events, and fall foliage when visiting the best pumpkin patches in New England at these awesome farms.14 Molly Stark Byway
With incredible Fall foliage and unique history, the Molly Stark Byway may just be one of the best scenic drives in Vermont. Maple trees adorn the route in reds and oranges. Meanwhile, stops like Bennington Battle Monument and downtown Brattleboro examine the historical significance of this route.
Named after Molly Stark, the wife of General John Stark, who helped fend off the British from Bennington, Vermont, back in 1777, the many unique features of the Molly Stark Byway quickly shift it from a simple 40-mile drive into a true afternoon in the scenic Vermont countryside.
- Time to Drive the Molly Stark Byway: ~2 hours
- Distance: ~40 miles
13 Lake Champlain Byway
Lake Champlain is one of the most beautiful regions of Vermont, with 124 miles of water extending in every direction. While Lake Champlain is rumored to be home to Champ the Sea Monster, it is also the perfect place for a Vermont Fall foliage road trip.
The clear waters of Lake Champlain perfectly reflect the maple and beech trees that surround the area. As reds and yellows fill the landscape, those colors are intensified by their reflections in the water. Photographers, be prepared. This may just be one of the prettiest Fall foliage spots in Vermont.
- Time to Drive the Lake Champlain Byway: ~1.5 hours
- Distance: ~36 miles
12 Smuggler’s Notch Road
One of the best Vermont Fall foliage drives also happens to be one of the state's most dangerous roads. Smuggler's Notch Road is surrounded by the sugar maple, beech, and yellow birch of Smuggler's Notch State Park, which fills the sides of the road with yellows, oranges, and reds.
One more reason to catch this road in the Fall? The dangerous winding nature of the route makes it too dangerous for winter conditions. With the road closed each winter, the only time to experience this thrill ride is by taking a scenic drive through the Vermont Fall foliage.
- Time to Drive Smuggler's Notch Road: ~1 hour
- Distance: ~20 miles
Curious about how Smuggler's Notch got its name? The route was originally used by smugglers to transport substances, taking advantage of the rugged terrain to avoid detection. These illicit activities are part of why the road is so windy and difficult to navigate today.
11 Middlebury Gap
While the Molly Stark Byway is for history lovers looking for a Fall foliage road trip in Vermont, the Middlebury Gap will speak to literature enthusiasts. Following in the footsteps of the famed Robert Frost, Middlebury Gap inspires with its stunning Fall foliage and vibrant colors. With maples and beeches around every corner, those hoping to enjoy one of the best scenic drives in Vermont for Fall foliage will quickly understand why Robert Frost was so quick to lament "The Road Not Taken."
- Time to Drive the Middlebury Gap: ~1 hour
- Distance: ~12 miles
10 Route 100
Located on the state's south-central side, the scenic Vermont Route 100 is one of the most beautiful road trips to take in the Fall in the US and one of the most famous scenic drives in Vermont. Taking up to five hours to complete, Route 100 is also the longest.
The journey begins in Northern Massachusetts and winds to the top of Vermont. Along the route, vacationers will encounter many mountains and valleys, which are glowing in vibrant autumn colors.
Also referred to as Vermont’s Main Street, this gorgeous byway connects some of the most impressive hiking and riding in the Northeastern region of the US.
- Time to Drive Route 100: ~5 hours
- Distance: ~216 miles
Planning A Trip To Vermont In Fall? Here Is What To Expect
Vermont is one of the best fall destinations in the U.S., and here is what to expect in the season.9 Stowe Hollow Road
Starting from the charming town of Stowe, one of the best small towns to celebrate Fall in Vermont, travelers should drive north. Along the way, on the left-hand side of the road, one should see the Gold Brook Bridge. Once at the bridge, take a right turn on the opposite side of the bridge, and drive up to the red-colored barn.
This place is brimming with beautiful private farms and gorgeous mountains covered in breathtaking foliage, creating incredibly stunning views of the surroundings.
- Time to Drive Stowe Hollow Road: ~0.5 hours
- Distance: ~7 miles
8 Mad River Byway
Starting from Middlesex and ending in Buels, this scenic drive takes visitors through the state’s popular ski spots (after all, it's never too early to go skiing in Vermont, even on a budget), beautiful farms, gorgeous downtown areas, and passes around mountain ridges, offering incredible leaf-peeping opportunities.
Travelers may also participate in several activities and special events along the way, including entertainment and fall festivals. Only covering about 36 miles, this byway may be shorter, but the experience it offers is thrilling.
- Time to Drive Mad River Byway: ~1 hour
- Distance: ~36 miles
7 Kelly Stand Road Heading Towards Grout Pond
Kelly Stand is not always maintained in the winter, but it is one of the most scenic drives in Vermont, and leaf peepers would definitely enjoy driving on the route.
By early October, this area is already experiencing peak foliage because the road passes through the mountains. Travelers should follow this route until they get to Grout Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest, which is among the beautiful spots to see fall foliage and take some epic photos.
While the route is just below 65 miles, it is on a dirt road, so it will take between two and three hours to complete.
- Time to Drive Kelly Stand Road to Grout Pond: ~3 hours
- Distance: ~65 miles
6 The Shires Of Vermont Byway
This route begins at Pownal and ends in Manchester, and only covers thirty miles to complete. The Shires of VT Byway is one of the most popular and impressive scenic fall drives, as it winds through beautiful vistas. This scenic road trip is also one of the best routes for those looking to stretch their legs on one of the best hikes in Vermont for Fall foliage viewing.
Known to have attracted several celebrities, this scenic route is one not to miss when planning an autumn vacation in Vermont.
- Time to Drive The Shires of Vermont Byway: ~2 hours
- Distance: ~75 miles
5 Mount Snow Loop
Covering 100 miles, this scenic fall drive starts from Brattleboro to Whitingham. Travelers will find beautiful shops, incredible food eateries, and a circus school.
The route winds through Mount Snow Ski. This route will also get visitors through the charming towns of Newfane and Whitingaham, and the views along the scenic drive are unmatched! The drive has the option to intersect and merge with Route 9, also known as the Molly Stark Byway. By combining these two shorter Vermont Fall foliage drives, travelers can create a truly epic road trip route.
- Time to Drive Mount Snow Loop: ~2 hours
- Distance: ~100 miles
4 Stone Valley Byway
From Manchester, this beautiful drive takes travelers to Hubbardton. Along the route, visitors will get to Dorset, another impressive town in Vermont, which is also one of the best spots to see fall foliage in the state. The village town is full of things to see and do. So, it won't hurt to stop there for a while and grab some cider donuts in Vermont. The region boasts some of the most impressive foliage views.
- Time to Drive Stone Valley Byway: ~1.5 hours (with stops)
- Distance: ~30 miles
A 3-Day Itinerary For Vermont's Fall Foliage
Vermont is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Northern part of America. Here are excellent ways to spend three days in this haven.3 Northeast Kingdom Loop
This gorgeous drive is located in the northeastern corner of Vermont and is always an outdoor paradise. St. Johnsbury is the major town along this route, and it has a magnificent art museum where visitors can stop and explore some amazing art.
Travelers will also find Jay Peak, a stunning ski resort with a large indoor water park where travelers can play around with water. It is always good to take a break away from the car.
- Time to Drive Route 100: ~1.5 hours
- Distance: ~51 miles
2 Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop
The journey along this scenic fall drive starts and ends in Vermont's Woodstock. It winds through the Killington ski area. Along the ski region, there are several vistas, an incredible dining scene on the mountains, and numerous fall festivals to catch. Covering 115 miles, this route offers some of the most scenic landscape views full of breathtaking autumn colors.
Travelers can decide to make a side small trip to the magnificent Quechee Gorge, sometimes called "Vermont’s Little Canyon." The Gorge is brimming with brilliant fall foliage, offering more fun to leaf peepers.
- Time to Drive the Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop: ~3 hours
- Distance: ~115 miles
1 Beaver Meadow Road
Connecting the towns of Sharon and Norwich, this drive is covered in beautiful yellows, reds, and browns of autumn leaves. With no cars or people around, this could be the best Vermont trip ever!
The fall foliage along this gorgeous, quiet drive is dramatic, and travelers wouldn't leave without making some stops to take epic photographs. There is a small lake along the road. Stop by the lake and take in the beautiful, relaxing atmosphere.
- Time to Drive Beaver Meadow Road: ~2 hours
- Distance: ~48 miles