When the leaves change in the fall, they create some of the most vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows that only Mother Nature can create. Seeing them change and float down to the forest floor is one of my favorite parts of autumn!  There are many parts of the USA known for miles upon miles of beautiful trees that make great places for a fall-foliage road trip! No matter where you are heading, these 6 tips will help you get the most out of this dazzling season!

1. Plan your route through different areas.

The time leaves start to change depends on the trees’ climate and location. Some areas may just start to see a change when others have reached their ideal peak for brilliant color. Planning a trip to one specific destination isn’t the best strategy for leaf peeping. Some years may not be as great as others, or a storm may take down the leaves too early.

It would be super disappointing to only visit one place and have that happen. The best way to avoid it is by planning a route that visits different states or regions in one trip. Give yourself a few options for finding the best views.

2. Book early.

To get the best (or any!) places to stay, make sure to book at least 3 months in advance. Leaf-peepers take their accommodations seriously and those quaint bed & breakfasts fill up far in advance. After planning where you want to go, check out this handy map showing the peak times for foliage across the country. The slider bar lets you adjust the dates to what is happening where at different times.

It’s a good strategy to find a secondary map of the specific states you are traveling to, for more precise details. Just google “Fall Foliage Map” + location to easily find them.

3. Be Flexible.

This is a tough one for those of us who like to plan every last detail of a trip, but with a fall foliage road trip, you have to be flexible. There are endless factors that affect the rate leaves turn color, so it’s impossible to know for sure what to expect. The good news is, forecasters have gotten pretty good at it. Even so, there are still times when it is necessary to adjust a trip by a few days or change up a location. It’s not always ideal, especially when we are booking hotels in advance.

If it’s just not possible to change things up, don’t sweat it too much. This is why tip #1 was to plan a diverse route. There will be plenty of other opportunities elsewhere to catch the perfect peep.

4. Take the back roads.

Get off the highway and drive through little towns and parks. While it’s pretty to see blankets of fall colors lining the highway, the most charming places will be a little more off the beaten path. Not to mention this is how you find the farmers markets full of pumpkin doughnuts and fresh apple cider! Take your time and leisurely explore each stop on your route.

5. Wake up early.. and stay late.

Popular fall foliage routes can get busy, so get an early start to beat the crowds. At least once during the trip, get up before sunrise to experience the colors during the first golden hour of the day (the hour the sun rises). While the morning is still quiet, and before most tourists wake up, you can witness something truly magical.

Bring your favorite hot drink and watch the sun start to illuminate the crisp leaves for the first time that day. Then, try the same thing the hour the sun sets (the second golden-hour) for a different, but equally beautiful perspective.

6. Pack binoculars, cash, and a real map.

I realize all of those things sound old fashioned, but you will definitely want them on a leaf peeping trip. There is always that ONE incredible tree just a little too far away to see. Binoculars to the rescue! Remember those farmers markets I mentioned? More often than not they only accept cash. You don’t want to miss out on those fresh from the orchard apples. And finally that map. Finding those small towns and parks off the beaten path is a lot easier if you can see the path. GPS is great, but if you don’t know exactly where you want to go, a paper map will really come in handy.

Follow all those tips and make some dreamy autumn memories on your fall-foliage road-trip! Don’t forget to take lots of pictures!