Five Scenic Road Trips For Seeing Autumn Colors
- Image Credit: Karl Kehm via Getty Images
And it was the wonders of October that sent Van Morrison singing about "all the leaves are falling, to the sound of the breezes that blow."
Americans love of the awe-inspiring fall colors stretches back as far as Henry David Thoreau and has been captured by literary legends and weekend hikers alike. Halfway between the broiling summer and gray winter ahead, the leaves on the trees are indeed falling, and it’s time for you to enjoy the sights.
We’ve selected five scenic fall road trips for you – some popular and some little-known gems – and the five cars you should bring along for the journey. It’s a little too crisp outside, at least up north, for the convertibles of the summer, so we’re sending you on your way with some of the top sedans on the market today.
- Image Credit: Autoblog
Volkswagen Jetta
Sticker Price: $15,695 - $29,775
Invoice Price: $15,067 - $28,584
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg City, 34 mpg Highway
There’s plenty to love about the VW Jetta, in all its iterations. The Germans provide an enviable blend of fuel economy, performance and interior comfort in the Jetta. And it may be the perfect sedan for an affordable road trip.
Not only does it boast 34 mpg on the highway in its regular models, but the TDI diesel engine trim returns 42 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
Even better: In 2009, VW introduced the panoramic sunroof on its SportWagen models. About double the size of the traditional sunroof, it offers passengers both in the front and back seats ample views of the beautiful fall foliage.
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Route 82 In Aspen, Colorado
What better place to see the changing colors of Colorado's scenic aspen trees than Aspen itself?Start this journey 10 miles outside the classic ski town, and make your way to the Maroon Bells, two of the most breathtaking mountains in the country. Hikers can choose from several trails in the area, from rugged to easy. There’s no harm from enjoying the view from the road either.
From there, proceed back toward town and join Route 82 and head north about 41 miles toward Glenwood Springs, enjoying the stunning views along the way. Tired from the drive? Stop at the hot springs in town and enjoy a relaxing soak.
If you’ve got more adventure left in your hiking legs, be sure not to miss a true gem. Ten miles north along Interstate 70, you’ll find the trailhead for Hanging Lake. If you don’t mind a steep two-mile hike into the heart of a canyon, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful fall leaves and a crystal-clear lake fed by a waterfall.
Check out the Aspen, CO Travel Guide on AOL Travel
Photo Credit: bestrated1, Flickr
- Image Credit: Autoblog.com
Lincoln MKZ
Sticker Price: $35,190 - $37,080
Invoice Price: $33,431 - $35,226
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 33 mpg Highway
For one of the same reasons we chose the Jetta for a fall journey, we’re also adding the Lincoln MKZ: It has a spacious sunroof ideal for viewing the fall colors. The sunroof spans about the length of the front and half of the back seats, and Ford says it’s the largest glass roof in the midsize luxury class.
Ford completely redesigned the MKZ for the 2013 model year, and it comes in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, perfect for the unknown conditions you might find on a fall road trip.
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Tahquamenon Falls, Upper Peninsula Of Michigan
We're keeping the Lincoln MKZ in its home state of Michigan, but nonetheless sending it on a 369-mile adventure from Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., up Interstate 75, over the Mackinac Bridge and into the wilds of the Upper Peninsula.
The leaves are an amazing array of green, yellow, red and orange the whole drive, but those who head out on this drive might be most impressed by the under-visited, underrated U.P.
Once across the bridge, you’re likely to not only enjoy the best whitefish sandwich on the planet – take your pick of restaurants – but the Tahquamenon Falls State Park boasts the third-biggest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The falls are actually two distinctive series of falls set four miles apart, perfect for a day hike. Just beware of the black bears.
Check out the Mackinaw City, MI Travel Guide on AOL Travel
Photo credit: master-phillip, flickr
- Image Credit: Autoblog.com
Nissan Altima
Sticker Price: $22,170 - $30,820
Invoice Price: $20,971 - $28,488
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg City, 38 mpg Highway
At roughly 3,100 pounds, the Nissan Altima is among the lightest sedans out there. Models with a four-cylinder engine – which account for 90 percent of Altima sales – earn gas-sipper status, getting 38 miles per gallon, according to the EPA, a number most road-trippers would be thrilled to see.
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Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Starting in Asheville, North Carolina, enjoy a leisurely three-hour drive west toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the most scenic areas of the Appalachian Trail.
Just north of Cherokee, N.C., pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway to see some of the most spectacular views. You’ll drive along the crest of the mountains for as long as 469 miles, all the way to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, should you choose.
Right now is the perfect time to see the autumn leaves turning inside the park. At high elevations, there are probably just past their peak week, and colors are popping at the middle elevations, according to the National Park Service.
Check out the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide on AOL Travel
Photo credit: possum1500, flickr
- Image Credit: Autoblog
Fiat 500L
Sticker Price: $19,195 - $24,395
Invoice Price: $19,050 - $23,503
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg City, 33 mpg Highway
The funky styling of this super-sized Fiat 500 isn't for everyone. It is, however, a great car for taking in the fall foliage. No matter where you sit in the 500L's expansive greenhouse both driver and passengers will get a clear view of the landscape. The sunroof extends all the way to the second row of seats and extra windows in the front allow for a panoramic view. The interior is spacious enough to fit four adults and, with a 21.5 cubic foot rear cargo area, there's plenty of room for their stuff, too.
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Route 302, New Hampshire
Truth be told, you could point your car in any direction in New England and find some awe-inspiring colors during the fall. From the Catskills of upstate New York to the Berkshires in Massachusetts to the Maine coast, there’s really no better place for fall-color viewing.
We’re sending you to New Hampshire. Start in the classic Ivy League college town of Hanover, home of Dartmouth, and follow Route 302 and the Connecticut River north to the town of Bath, where you can cross a wooden bridge and push onward toward Bretton Woods, which circus titan P.T. Barnum once called “the second-greatest show on earth.”
Head east into the heart of White Mountain National Forest, where you’ll find Crawford Notch State Park in the expansive valley between some of the biggest mountains on the East Coast.
Check out the Hanover, NH Travel Guide on AOL Travel
Photo credit: avasphotos, flickr
- Image Credit: Autoblog
Subaru Legacy
Sticker Price: $20,295 - $28,895
Invoice Price: $19,201 - $27,097
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 29 mpg Highway
Many of the vehicles on Alaskan roads are pickup trucks and SUVs. Of the regular cars on the road, locals favor Subaru products.
And why not? Last year, the Japanese automaker placed all six of its tested models on the Consumer Reports recommended list, and ranked first among 13 automakers rated in the magazine’s annual Automaker Report Card. The 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback were recently named Top Safety Picks by the IIHS.
Whether you live in Alaska or are just visiting, reliability is what you need in a car. The Subaru Legacy stands out as a solid road-trip vehicle for its improved legroom for all passengers, smooth ride and decent fuel economy – 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. Whether it’s the four- or six-cylinder engine trim, all-wheel drive comes standard, another plus for the unpredictable conditions of a road trip.
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Denali Highway, Alaska
If you’re looking for something a bit more rugged than any of our Lower 48 offerings, check out the 135-mile Denali Highway that cuts across the south side of the Alaska Range from the town of Paxson toward Denali National Park.
State Road 8 is mostly rough, unpaved, unpredictable and, at times, dangerous. It also offers expansive vistas of some of the most spectacular and untrodden scenery in the country. You won’t bump into many other travelers here – perhaps only some moose and bears. Take note when planning your trip: This route is closed in the winter.
Check out the Denali National Park Travel Guide on AOL Travel
Photo credit: Bobz, Flickr