10 Scenic Fall Drives Throughout the U.S. Ranked—and #2 Will Shock You

Fall highway journeys don’t all look the identical. Some wind by means of colourful forests, whereas others comply with the ocean, metropolis lights, or desert peaks. This season, the frequent thread is straightforward: the easiest way to take all of it in is from behind the wheel.

A brand new research from trip rental platform Lake.com analyzed America’s formally designated All-American Roads to search out probably the most scenic routes. The rating is predicated on Instagram hashtags and TripAdvisor critiques, highlighting the drives that vacationers {photograph} most and price the best.

Listed here are America’s high 10 most scenic fall drives based mostly on traveler expertise.

10. Florida Keys Scenic Freeway, Florida

In tenth place, the Florida Keys Scenic Freeway is 113 miles lengthy, stretching from Key Largo to Key West. Bridges join island after island, with attractive blue ocean seen in each course. 

Whereas this highway journey doesn’t provide fall colours, it’s the proper possibility for vacationers preferring heat climate when the remainder of the nation begins to get chilly.

With greater than 7,000 Tripadvisor critiques and 17,000 Instagram tags, it’s a bucket checklist drive for positive.

9. Beartooth Freeway, Montana & Wyoming

Beartooth Freeway got here in ninth, climbing almost 11,000 ft on a winding route into Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. 

Its switchbacks, mountain lakes, and scenic overlooks make it one of many nation’s most dramatic high-altitude highway journeys. Make sure to test highway situations forward of time, as blizzards are identified to close this route down earlier than it’s season closing.

With almost 1,000 TripAdvisor critiques, averaging 4.9 stars, and over 46,000 Instagram mentions, it’s each distant and extremely regarded.

8. Path Ridge Highway, Colorado

Eighth place goes to Colorado’s Path Ridge Highway, often called the “Freeway to the Sky.” 

Crossing Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park and peaking at over 12,000 ft, you’ll get alpine views and the possibility to identify wildlife. 

Practically 3,500 TripAdvisor critiques price it a formidable 4.9 stars, whereas virtually 38,000 Instagram posts seize its rugged magnificence.

7. Natchez Hint Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama & Tennessee

The Natchez Hint Parkway is available in seventh, weaving by means of three states from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. 

As soon as a important journey hall, it’s now a peaceable highway journey stuffed with historical past, quiet forests, and colourful fall leaves. 

Highway-trippers have tagged it greater than 64,000 occasions on Instagram and given it a ranking of 4.6 stars based mostly on over 2,200 TripAdvisor critiques.

6. North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

In sixth place, Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive follows the shoreline of Lake Superior, with rocky seashores, waterfalls, and tree-covered hills. With its northern air, it’s chilly up there, so you’ll want to pack a jacket!

With over 80,000 Instagram posts, 2,000 TripAdvisor critiques, and a median ranking of 4.8 stars, this can be a must-drive.

5. Acadia Byway, Maine

Maine’s Acadia Byway landed within the high 5. A lot of the route runs by means of Acadia Nationwide Park on Mount Desert Island, the place fall has turned the forest golden. 

With mirrored lakes and gorgeous coastal views, households get pleasure from its choices of seashores, gardens, and mountain overlooks. 

With greater than 650,000 Instagram mentions and 1,600 critiques averaging 4.7 stars, Acadia is a basic New England fall highway journey.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway, stretching 469 miles by means of the Appalachian Mountains, landed in fourth place. Linking Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Virginia with Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park in North Carolina, the drive is legendary for its colourful fall surroundings.

There are many nice stops alongside the best way, like Roanoke, Virginia, which was simply voted one of many high locations in the US to see fall colours by USAToday readers.

It has impressed greater than 750,000 Instagram posts, whereas almost 7,000 TripAdvisor critiques constantly price it 4.8 stars.

3. Freeway 1, San Luis Obispo Co., California

California’s Freeway 1 takes third place, with the San Luis Obispo County stretch of Freeway 1 incomes the spot.

A Freeway 1 highway journey alongside this stretch of California’s Central Coast provides vacationers charming coastal city stops, attractive views of the Pacific, and alternatives for wildlife recognizing.

It has been tagged over 1,000,000 occasions on Instagram, whereas almost 2,000 TripAdvisor critiques give the expertise a robust 4.8-star ranking.

2. Las Vegas Strip, Nevada

Surprisingly, the Las Vegas Strip is available in second as one of many solely nighttime byways within the nation. Stretching 4.5 miles alongside Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip’s neon lights and larger-than-life accommodations make it as photogenic as any shoreline. 

Vacationers have tagged it over 1.5 million occasions on Instagram, and greater than 35,000 Tripadvisor critiques give it a median ranking of 4.4 stars.

1. Pink Rock Scenic Byway, Arizona

Arizona’s Pink Rock Scenic Byway tops the checklist as America’s most scenic drive within the fall. Simply 7.5 miles lengthy close to Sedona, the route cuts by means of purple sandstone cliffs that glow within the autumn mild. 

Whereas it solely takes about 20 minutes to drive, most road-trippers spend hours stopping at overlooks and trailheads alongside the best way. 

The byway has been tagged greater than 1.7 million occasions on Instagram and holds a 4.8-star ranking from 1000’s of TripAdvisor critiques.