Leaves change. Air temperature drops. Sweaters are pulled over t-shirts.  These are the markers of fall.  And what better way to soak in the change in seasons then with a perfectly planned drive.  No matter where you reside, you can buckle up, take a ride, and see the best of Mother and her Nature.

Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park is 105-mile tour of the best and brightest of Virginia foliage.  Check out the purple dogwoods and bright red Virginia creepers.

The highest peak in the Eastern United States is North Carolina’s Mount Mitchell State Park and the 75-year-old Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the country’s great autumn drives. From September through November color hunters can visit 31 states and drive more than 3,000 miles of national scenic byways, plus thousands of other scenic roads.

Around Lake Placid in the Adirondacks is a 45-mile stretch that can’t be beat. Drive northeast on Route 86 along the Au Sable River to take in the yellow birch, American beech, and sugar maple tree arrays of deep fall colors.

If New Mexico is more your flavor, take your wheels for a spin along The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in Taos.  Its 84-miles of aspens, gold and red cottonwoods, and the occasional black bear.

Take a jaunt to and through Lake Tahoe.  The most scenic drive to the Lake is Highway 4 to Highway 89.  They say it doesn’t have season, and granted, California doesn’t have a ton of color change, but when the aspens turn yellow and sparkle in the sunlight breeze, it’s magnificent.  The Lake itself is 12 miles wide and 22 miles long, with lots to choose from, but make Emerald Bay a must.

-Arianna Schioldager