New England

4 Favorite Quiet Fall Foliage Drives in New England

The most popular fall foliage drives aren’t the only way to experience New England’s spectacular autumn foliage display.

By Jim Salge

Sep 30 2022

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Jim Salge – Evans Notch

Basin Pond at the southern end of Evans Notch offers grand autumn views!

Photo Credit : Jim Salge

While Smuggler’s Notch, the Acadia Loop Road, the Mohawk Trail, and the Kancamagus Highway may be the most popular foliage drives in New England thanks to their scenic beauty and classic New England charm, they aren’t the only way to experience the splendor of autumn. With 32 million acres of forest, there are countless alternative routes that still feature road trip essentials like stately maples, classic steepled meetinghouses, stone walls, and old cemeteries. Want to experience a fall drive without the crowds? Here are four “quiet” foliage drives in New England that won’t disappoint.

4 Favorite Quiet Fall Foliage Drives in New England

Vermont Fall Foliage Drives

This narrow winding road over a mountain pass northwest of Stowe provides countless recreational opportunities and stunning views.

Quiet Route: Route 58 from Lake Willoughby to Hazen’s Notch

Sitting between the steep walls of two mountains, Lake Willoughby is a stunning start to this trip through some of Vermont’s earliest fall foliage. The route winds through beautiful villages with plenty of mountain views. It even briefly turns to dirt near the village of Lowell, a testament to its under-the-radar status.

Jennifer Hannux - Vermont Quiet Drive
A classic Vermont fall foliage scene along Route 58.
Photo Credit : Jennifer Hannux

New Hampshire Fall Foliage Drives

Prized for its wilderness views, the Kanc is one of the most popular scenic drives in all of New England.

Quiet Route: Evans Notch (Route 113)

Beginning and ending in Maine, this route along the New Hampshire border is steep, winding, and spectacular. Maple, birch, and beech trees growing close to the road create a true tunnel of foliage until you reach the views at the height of the route. Trailheads lead to spectacular waterfalls and high mountain vistas. And Basin Pond is one of the true gems in the White Mountains.

Jim Salge - Evans Notch
Basin Pond at the southern end of Evans Notch offers grand autumn views.
Photo Credit : Jim Salge

Maine Fall Foliage Drives

The Acadia Loop Road offers both mountain and ocean views along Maine’s rocky coast.

Quiet Route: The Camden Hills Loop

Camden isn’t terribly far from Bar Harbor as the crow flies, but as they say in Maine: “You can’t get there from here.” And saving the extra two-hour trip north from southern New England to Acadia does mean sacrificing some of the wildness; still, there are plenty of similar scenes here: from mountains that meet the sea to lakes lined with amazing autumn foliage, all near a fine coastal village.

Autumn colors in Camden, ME, USA
Foliage-covered hills rising above Camden Harbor is one of the many views along the Camden Hills Loop.
Photo Credit : Susan Cole Kelly

Massachusetts Fall Foliage Drives

The Mohawk Trail (New England’s first official “scenic tourist route”) has had millions of drivers tool along its 60-mile stretch into the Berkshires since its opening in 1914.

Quiet Route: Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway (Route 20) Loops

Route 20 is the longest highway in the United States, and the trip through Becket, Massachusetts, brings you over its highest point east of the Mississippi. Taking a loop off the highway by the Berkshires brings you past lovely pastoral scenes and mountain views. We recommend Route 8 and the Skyline Trail for a reasonable detour off the main route.

Brian Farr - Rt 20
The highest point on Route 20 east of the Mississippi is in Becket, Massachusetts.
Photo Credit : Bryan Farr

Though a brilliant backdrop of autumn leaves can be found almost anywhere in New England, there are many ways and places to view the foliage display. The popular routes are tried and true, while the back roads offer surprises and adventure.

This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

SEE MORE:
Hidden Gold | Vermont’s Best Little-Known Foliage Spots
The Kancamagus Highway | The Ultimate New Hampshire Fall Foliage Drive
How to Take Your Best New England Fall Foliage Photos

Jim Salge

As a former meteorologist at the Mount Washington Observatory, foliage reporter Jim Salge is a keen observer of the progression of the seasons in New England. He uses his knowledge of weather, geography and climate to pinpoint the best time to visit various New England locations to find the best light, atmosphere, and most importantly, color.

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