If there are two things North Carolinians love, it's autumn and long drives through gorgeous country roads. When fall is in full force, you can make the most of the two by combining them! Blue Ridge Parkway is the most famous for fall drives, and for good reason. But there are plenty more. Let's look at 10 of the best fall drives in North Carolina.
Searching for a "fall drive near me?" The Blue Ridge Parkway is not only THE place to experience fall colors in North Carolina but possibly America. Spanning 469 miles, you're treated to mountain views, waterfalls within a short hike, heart-dropping overlooks, and continuous beauty all from the comfort of your car.
Named after Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, Whitewater Way is on HWY 281 between Sapphire and South Carolina. Points of interest include Gorges State Park and Nantahala National Forest.
The Hanging Rock Scenic Byway weaves you through gorgeous country roads with wide open spaces, the ancient Sauratown mountain chain, and historic towns like Danbury and Andy Griffith's Mayberry. With this one, the destination is just as gorgeous as the drive. Pay a visit to Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain (or both) to make the most of fall in the Piedmont.
Journey through some of the most untouched and remote sections of the Pisgah National Forest. This byway both rivals and sometimes runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
On US 64, for 98 miles you're treated to waterfalls just off the road, quaint small towns, and mountain views. Waterfall Byway is a nice escape from the crowded Blue Ridge Parkway...with equally beautiful sights and stops included.
For a completely different way to experience fall, the byway starts in Elizabethtown on the eastern side of the state and takes you through some of the most fertile farmland in North Carolina.
Pay a visit to the highest point east of the Mississippi, then hop on this byway for some more incredible views. You'll travel through the highest mountain peaks and onto sweeping valleys. Artists will especially love this one as there are several galleries along the way.
If you love the scenic drive, but also consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie, the Tail of the Dragon is home to 318 curves in only 11 miles...whoa!
Winding through North Carolina's own Napa Valley, with several vineyards along the way, wine lovers will absolutely love this drive! You get rolling hills and valleys with the foothills in the distance (plus wine). You might have to bring a DD for this one.
With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Pamlico Sound on the other, there's no dense forest with bright foliage and certainly no mountain views but this drive treats you to completely different beauty. It's gorgeous year-round and you can make the most of it in the fall when the crowds are at a minimum and temperatures are perfect. It's one of the most scenic byways in North Carolina.
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Have you embarked on any of the best fall drives in North Carolina? Let us know! And make sure to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List before you hit the road.
Sure, the mountains claim most of the beauty this time of year, but the Outer Banks Scenic Byway could quite possibly be the most beautiful drive, year-round, in America.
If you haven't experienced fall in North Carolina, then can you say you've truly experienced fall? With gorgeous, bright foliage, a whole Parkway with incredible views, and even hiking trails to get a remote experience, autumn in North Carolina is simply heaven on Earth. While one can just hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and be rewarded with some amazing sights, there are additional must-see places where the foliage is breathtaking. Take this road trip to see fall foliage in North Carolina for an unforgettable seasonal experience. Ready to get started? First, make sure you've checked the best times to see foliage in NC. Then don't forget to bring the snacks then gas up the car and we'll be on our way!
Following the map, you'll start at Grandfather Mountain, drive south through the mountains and towards Asheville, head a little east for Chimney Rock, a little more south for Dupont State Forest and Looking Glass Falls, and finally, out west for Max Patch. The total time is around 5 hours and 49 minutes, with the Blue Ridge Parkway being your key route from point A to point B. While this could be done in a day, we'd suggest breaking up the trip into a few days so you can make the most of every gorgeous stop and even create some of your own stops along the way. This is, after all, North Carolina in the fall and it is stunning, so are you ready to hit the road?
Our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina begins at none other than Grandfather Mountain. This is a great introduction to the fall colors in North Carolina. Even the drive to the top of Grandfather treats you with amazing fall views. When you reach the top, take a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. From here, you'll be treated to gorgeous, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, abundant in fall colors. After your trip to Grandfather, Linn Cove Viaduct is only five minutes away. You must drive on this iconic section of the Blue Ridge for an epic fall experience! The Mile High Swinging Bridge is one of the coolest bridges in North Carolina! Make sure you check out this short video from Grandfather Mountain to get just a taste of what it is like:
Fall is the perfect time to visit one of the most popular falls in North Carolina. A quick hike on Erwin's View Trail will take you to an especially memorable viewpoint. Bring your camera! Linville Falls is beautiful year-round, but autumn is a particularly good time to visit. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see all of the different viewpoints and what the hike looks like.
If you are looking for fall foliage in North Carolina then this is the place to go. As the Grand Canyon of the East Coast, Linville Gorge is breathtaking any time of the year. There are so many fantastic hikes in the
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Linville Gorge area.If you want to make a quick detour, check out the overlook known as Wiseman's View.
Nature is always beautiful on its own, but to add that perfect, elegant touch to your fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, what a better stop than the luxurious Biltmore Estate? Billed as America's largest home, this place is incredible. Check out this video from Biltmore that showcases interesting facts about the property.
This 535-million-year-old granite monolith is incredible year-round, but you can't beat the fall views. At the top of the 315-foot granite outcropping, you're treated to 75-mile, panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Chimney Rock is one of the best attractions in North Carolina, for sure! Make sure to check out this video of the area by Youtuber Outside Chronicles.
DuPont State Forest is an amazing 10,473-acre state park. Home to rushing waterfalls, hiking trails, and camping spots, it's the perfect place for a full weekend of fall foliage. The most popular trail is the 3-mile waterfall hike that takes you to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Some of the hikes in DuPont State Forest are absolutely phenomenal.
Looking Glass Falls is spectacularly beautiful, and this 60-ft. waterfall takes on a whole new beauty come autumn. Surrounded by dense forest, the colors light up around the fall. From the parking area, it's only a brisk walk to witness the beauty. You can't beat such an easy-access waterfall! Take a look at this incredible waterfall with this Adventuring in the Moment video.
As the final stop on our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, Max Patch offers something completely different. Located near the Tennessee border, Max Patch is a grassy bald and one of the few places with such unique scenery in North Carolina. From the top of this wide-open field, you can take in 360-mountain views. To end the trip perfectly, pitch a tent and spend the weekend in a unique oasis. Max Patch is often called the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail for its unmatched beauty.
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There you have it, our complete road trip to see fall foliage in North Carolina. What did you think? Don't forget to bring along this map for your trip.
Have you visited any of these places in the fall, or now want to try the road trip for yourself? What are some of your favorite destinations for fall colors in North Carolina? If you're craving more, these destinations in North Carolina offer breathtaking fall views. You can also read as to when do leaves change in NC.
North Carolina road trips are a great way to see the sights of the Tar Heel State. You can choose whatever route you would like, and there are endless stops for you to explore. Whether you are chasing waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest or checking out some beautiful scenery on your drive down the Cherohala Skyway – these are the best road trips in North Carolina and they will have you seeing the state from a different point of view!
Route: Santeetlah Gap > Hooper Cove > Shute Cove > Huckleberry Knob > Hooper Bald > Santeetlah Overlook > Big Junction Overlook > Stratton Ridge > Cherohala Skyway Welcome Plaza > Unicoi Crest > Falls Branch Falls Trail > Lake View Overlook > Turkey Creek Overlook > Forest Service Road 345/Indian Boundary Road > Forest Service Road 210/River Road > Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center and Charles Hall Museum
Distance: 43 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours driving time
A lesser-known road trip than the Blue Ridge Parkway but equally as spectacular is the 43-mile scenic byway, Cherohala Skyway. It takes three hours to complete starting in Robinsville and taking you through twists and turns with many epic pitstops ending in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. It takes you through the national forests of Cherokee and Nantahala (the two names Cherohala gets their namesake from), passing many overlooks, trailheads, vistas, and recreational and picnic areas. Some notable stops are the Huckleberry Knob, Hooper Bald, and Turkey Creek Overlook, to name a few.
We absolutely love road trips! However, we do not like when gas prices are high, so we made this three-day weekend trip with only 31 miles of driving time which is perfect because you can take a whole day at each swimming hole and explore the waterfalls to the fullest. On day one, you'll park at the DuPont State Recreational Forest and hike under a mile to the lagoon of the 12-foot Hooker Falls on the Little River. The following day just a few miles up the road is Sliding Rock; you'll find a 60-foot waterfall slide dropping into an eight-foot-deep plunge pool where you can enjoy unlimited slides for a small fee. Lastly is the waterfall swimming hole of Skinny Dip Falls. You'll follow an easy but uphill half-mile hike to get there, be sure to enjoy a picnic and a plunge into the swimming hole.
Western North Carolina is part of the state full of magical places hidden in the mountains. Whether you’re looking to stick to one area of North Carolina or want to explore some hidden gems, this four-hour road trip through the Western North Carolina Mountains will offer you just that. Start your fairytale road trip with the three-mile loop that leads you to Crabtree Falls, follow a short flower-filled hike along Craggy Gardens to a picturesque overlook, make your way to Lake Lure and the Flowering Bridge, then check out The Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, and end your trip with a 20-minute hike through a canopied forest to Juney Whank Falls.
Route: Bodie Island Lighthouse > Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Distance: 43.3 miles
Trip Time: 53 minutes driving time
Are you crunched for time or want to spend your day in one area? This trip will check all the boxes. Take a mini road trip through the Outer Banks and stop at some lighthouses along your scenic drive. This picturesque excursion is under an hour and will take you from Bodie Island Lighthouse to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It will give you a chance to take in all the natural beauty of the coast, learn a ton of history of the area, and grab a bite to eat at a couple of pitstops.
It's spring, and you know what that means? Time to hit the road! If you're looking for North Carolina road trip ideas to start the springtime season off right, this is the one. It will take you on the Blue Ridge through Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest leading you to the magnificent waterfalls of Whitewater Falls, Looking Glass Falls, and Linville Falls, to name a few. What makes this road trip even better are the multiple wineries dotted along the route. You'll be able to visit wineries such as Dublin Winery, the oldest winery in the state.
Route: Roanoke River Lighthouse > Currituck Beach Lighthouse > Bodie Island Lighthouse > Cape Hatteras Lighthouse > Ocracoke Lighthouse > Cape Lookout Lighthouse > Oak Island Lighthouse
Distance: 463 miles
Trip Time: 15 hours driving time
What better way to spend the summer than hitting the road and checking out all the lighthouses along the east coast waters of North Carolina? This five-day adventure is perfect for those long lazy summer days. It will take you through charming towns (like dreamy Wilmington), historic sites, and seven unique lighthouses. With some lighthouses, you'll even have the chance to trek up to the top for panoramic views, perfect for watching those summertime sunsets.
Route: Hanging Rock State Park > Linn Cove Viaduct > Roan Mountain > Linville Gorge > Mount Mitchell > Chimney Rock > Great Smoky Mountains Railroad > Cherohala Skyway
Distance: 431 miles
Trip Time: 10 hours driving time
North Carolina has a great fall foliage season that typically runs from mid-October to early November, depending on elevation and location. This North Carolina road trip itinerary will take you across the state to view the best villas, rolling foothills, and gorges with the most amazing fall colors. This epic trip will take you to one of the most traveled and photographed Blue Ridge Mountain and Blue Ridge Parkway destinations; the Linn Cove Viaduct. Continue your journey to the 'Grand Canyon of the East' at Linville Gorge and end your trip at the highest peak east of the Mississippi at Mount Mitchell.
Route: Dillsboro > Biltmore Estate > Forest City > McAdenville > Charlotte Motor Speedway > Tanglewood Festival of Lights > New Bern > Manteo
Distance: 629 miles
Trip Time: 10.5 hours driving time
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Looking to get into the holiday spirit? This North Carolina road trip map is just the ticket for a winter wonderland full of lights and magic. The route will take you to cities such as Dillsboro to see the luminaries line the street and to Asheville to experience the must-see Christmas lights at the Biltmore Estate. A one-of-a-kind experience is the millions of lights at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a standout stop at the home of NASCAR on this fun winter road trip.
Route: Old Gillam Mill Park Covered Bridge > Kimesville Covered Bridge > Pisgah Covered Bridge > Bunker Hill Covered Bridge > Gaddy Covered Bridge > High Falls Covered Bridge > Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge
Distance: 498 miles
Trip Time: 10 hours driving time
Take a family-friendly road trip and hit all the best cover bridges in North Carolina. You'll start the day at Old Gillam Mill Park Covered Bridge in Sanford across the street from an old mill and mill pond and end the day at the oldest covered bridge structure in the state, Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge in the Highlands. It's the perfect trip with plenty to do and see to keep the whole family happy.
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Road Trip to North Carolina Landmarks & Natural Wonders
Route: Outer Banks > Jockey's Ridge > Lake Mattamuskeet > Pilot Mountain > New River State Park > Linville Gorge > Mt. Mitchell State Park > Chimney Rock > Looking Glass Rock > Whitewater Falls.
Distance: 720 miles
Trip Time: 15 hours driving time
This ambitious road trip to see North Carolina landmarks and natural wonders will take you from the seashore of the Outer Banks to the border of South Carolina at Whitewater Falls. Throughout the route, you'll visit mountain peaks, sand dunes, and the largest natural lake in North Carolina - it's the best North Carolina road trip to see all the natural wonders this beautiful state has to offer.
Route: Beaufort > New Bern > Bath > Hillsborough > Boone > Banner Elk > Hot Springs > Bryson City
Distance: 583 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours driving time
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North Carolina has a wealth of small towns to visit, each with unique charm. If you're looking for a road trip through North Carolina that takes you through some of the most charming and historic small towns, look no further. You'll start your road trip at North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks (also called Crystal Coast) in Beaufort and then through New Bern and Bath. Once finished with the small towns off the coast, you'll head up towards Raleigh and the Triangle to the quaint village of Hillsborough. On the last leg of your trip, you will drive toward the Appalachian Mountains to Boone, Banner Elk, and Hot Springs, ending your trip at Bryson City, a mountain town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Have you taken any of these road trips? Do you prefer weekend road trips in North Carolina or quick road trips in North Carolina? We'd love to hear your thoughts - let us know! Need more North Carolina road trip ideas with outdoor adventures? Spend the day exploring these hiking trails with three swinging bridges; one will even take you to Grandfather Mountain or this hidden beach road trip, where you'll see wild horses.
