7 Scenic Drives In Vermont That Locals Say Are Stunning In Fall

Vermont’s backroads transform into nature’s art gallery when autumn arrives. The Green Mountain State’s routes become ribbons of gold, crimson, and amber as maples blaze across the hills.

I’ve spent October weekends cruising with windows down, breathing the snap of fall while hunting the perfect photo stop. Pack a thermos, apple cider donuts, and layers.

Then trace Route 100’s valley quilt, curl through Smugglers’ Notch, idle beside the Mad River’s covered bridges, and climb the Northeast Kingdom for sweeping overlooks. Bring a camera, patience for leaf-peeper traffic, and curiosity. These local-approved drives reward wanderers with postcard vistas at every bend

1. The Magnificent Route 100 Byway

My grandmother called this stretch “Vermont’s Main Street” for good reason! The road traces the spine of the Green Mountains like a love letter to fall foliage enthusiasts.

Last October, I stopped at almost every pull-off between Ludlow and Stowe, each view more jaw-dropping than the last. The roadside farm stands selling maple syrup had me making unplanned stops every few miles.

For the ultimate experience, try the segment near Killington where sugar maples create a natural tunnel of blazing orange. Pack a picnic—you’ll want to linger at the covered bridges that dot this iconic route.

2. Green Mountain Byway’s Golden Loop

Nothing says “Vermont” quite like cruising between Waterbury and Stowe with Mount Mansfield standing guard. The postcard views here had me pulling over so often my sister joked we should’ve walked instead!

Cold Hollow Cider Mill became our favorite mid-drive pit stop, where hot cider donuts provided the perfect hand-warming snack. The roadside views of historic barns framed by fiery sugar maples look almost too perfect to be real.

Pro tip: Take the loop using VT-100, 100C, 15, and 108 for the complete experience. The covered bridge in Moscow village (yes, Vermont has a Moscow!) makes for an Instagram-worthy photo op.

3. Heart-Pounding Smugglers’ Notch

My first drive through this dramatic mountain pass left me speechless—and white-knuckled! VT-108 between Stowe and Jeffersonville squeezes between massive boulders and sheer cliffs in what might be New England’s most thrilling road trip.

The narrow hairpin turns demand your full attention, but the reward is worth it. Last fall, my cousin and I parked at one of the small pull-offs to hike among fallen leaves and towering rock formations.

Remember that this road closes in winter for good reason—those twists are no joke! Aim for mid-October when the surrounding forest creates a kaleidoscope of color against the gray stone walls.

4. Mad River Valley’s Enchanted Corridor

The locals call this drive “leaf-peeper heaven,” and after my first trip down the Mad River Byway, I understood why! The 36-mile stretch weaves alongside the river, past classic red barns that pop against golden hillsides.

My favorite memory here? Stopping at the Warren covered bridge where I watched crimson leaves float downstream while a local artist captured the scene on canvas. The real showstopper comes when you climb the Appalachian Gap on VT-17—a twisty ascent that rewards with panoramic views.

Bring binoculars for the summit parking area. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain, framed by Vermont’s finest fall palette.

5. Robert Frost’s Middlebury Gap

Sometimes the shortest drives pack the most punch! VT-125 between East Middlebury and Hancock became my personal therapy session last autumn when city life had me frazzled.

The route winds through Robert Frost country, where the poet’s words about roads less traveled suddenly make perfect sense. I stumbled upon Texas Falls completely by accident—a hidden cascade surrounded by maple trees in their flame-red glory.

What makes this drive special is how quickly it transitions from farmland to forest. Lake Dunmore’s still waters perfectly mirror the surrounding foliage. Combine this route with a portion of Route 100 for a loop that showcases Vermont’s diversity in just a couple of hours.

6. Molly Stark’s Historic Highway

History and natural beauty blend perfectly along VT-9 between Bennington and Brattleboro. Named after a Revolutionary War hero’s wife, this 48-mile journey feels like time travel with a colorful twist!

My family tradition involves stopping at the Hogback Mountain 100-mile view, where on clear fall days, you can see three states while surrounded by a kaleidoscope of autumn colors. The quaint village greens along the way showcase classic New England charm—white church steeples rising above a sea of crimson and gold.

Southern Vermont’s rolling hills have a softer beauty than the state’s rugged north. Pack your camera for Woodford State Park, where the still waters create perfect reflections of the surrounding maples and birches.

7. Island-Hopping Lake Champlain Byway

Watching the sunset paint Lake Champlain gold while driving across the causeway to South Hero Island remains my most treasured Vermont memory. This extensive byway combines US-2 and US-7 for a journey that feels more like coastal Maine than landlocked Vermont.

The magic happens when you’re cruising with water on both sides, the Adirondacks creating a purple silhouette to the west. I’ve made it a tradition to stop at roadside apple orchards where picking your own fruit with lake views feels almost too picturesque to be real.

Burlington’s waterfront makes a perfect midway break. Watch sailboats drift against a backdrop of mountains wearing their autumn finest, while enjoying a creemee (Vermont’s term for soft-serve) before continuing your island-hopping adventure.