8 Vermont Drives Locals Swear Turn Magical In The Fall
Vermont transforms into an autumn wonderland when September rolls around, painting the landscape with fiery reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows.
Locals know the best-kept secrets for experiencing this seasonal spectacle, and they all involve hitting the road.
These scenic drives offer front-row seats to nature’s greatest show, winding through mountains, valleys, and charming villages that seem plucked from a postcard.
1. Vermont Route 100 (Central Vermont)
Snaking through the heart of Vermont like a ribbon of asphalt through a kaleidoscope, Route 100 delivers jaw-dropping views around every bend. Sugar maples explode in crimson glory while birches glow golden against the evergreen backdrop.
Locals call this the “Skier’s Highway” in winter, but autumn transforms it into something entirely different. Small towns dot the route, offering fresh cider, warm donuts, and that quintessential New England charm.
Pack your camera because you’ll want proof that nature actually looks this good in real life.
2. Vermont Route 7A (Southern Vermont: Bennington to Manchester)
This southern gem runs parallel to its busier sibling, Route 7, but offers a more intimate experience with Vermont’s autumn splendor. Historic mansions peek through the colorful canopy, reminding travelers that wealthy folks knew a thing or two about picking prime real estate.
The Battenkill River accompanies you for stretches, its waters reflecting the fiery hillsides like a liquid mirror. Manchester’s marble sidewalks and designer outlets provide a fancy pit stop between nature sessions.
Bennington’s covered bridges make perfect photo ops when you need a break from all that leaf-peeping.
3. Green Mountain Byway (Waterbury to Stowe)
Want to see where Ben & Jerry started their ice cream empire while surrounded by nature’s candy-colored explosion? This byway delivers both sweet treats and sweeter views. Mount Mansfield looms majestically overhead, wearing its autumn coat like a proud peacock showing off.
Stowe’s church steeple has graced more postcards than your aunt’s vacation photos, and for good reason. The drive takes less than twenty minutes, but you’ll spend three hours stopping every quarter-mile for pictures.
Bring layers because mountain weather changes faster than a chameleon at a rainbow convention.
4. Molly Stark Byway (Route 9: Brattleboro to Bennington)
Named after a Revolutionary War general’s wife who probably never imagined her name on such a spectacular stretch of road, this byway climbs to nearly 2,400 feet. The elevation gain means you’re literally driving through different layers of fall color, like ascending through a painter’s palette.
Hogback Mountain offers panoramic views that’ll make your Instagram followers weep with envy. Quirky Vermont towns along the way serve maple everything—creemees, lattes, candies—because why not?
The winding nature of this road means taking it slow, which is exactly the point.
5. Lake Champlain Byway (Eastern Shore of Lake Champlain)
Where mountains meet water, magic happens—especially when those mountains are dressed in their autumn finest. The lake stretches toward the Adirondacks across the water, creating a double feature of fall color that’s almost unfair to other scenic drives.
Historic lighthouses and ferry crossings add maritime charm to your leaf-peeping adventure. Apple orchards invite you to pick your own fruit while contemplating how Vermont manages to be this photogenic.
Sunset here turns the whole scene into liquid gold, making even non-photographers reach for their phones compulsively.
6. Vermont Route 30 (West-Central Vermont)
Following rivers and hugging hillsides, Route 30 meanders through some of Vermont’s most charming territory without the tourist crowds that pack other routes. Covered bridges appear like wooden time machines, transporting you to simpler days when horses pulled carriages through these same autumn landscapes.
The West River Valley shows off its agricultural heritage with working farms nestled against forested slopes ablaze with color. Small-town general stores still exist here, serving coffee and local gossip in equal measure.
This route rewards those who wander without strict schedules or specific destinations.
7. Vermont Route 7 (South-North Vermont)
Running nearly the entire length of Vermont like a spine holding the state together, Route 7 offers the ultimate fall foliage marathon. From Massachusetts border to Canada, this road showcases Vermont’s incredible diversity—mountains, valleys, towns, and farms all dressed in autumn glory.
Locals use it for everyday commuting, but fall transforms even mundane errands into scenic adventures. Middlebury and Rutland provide urban breaks between wilderness stretches, offering craft breweries and farm-to-table restaurants.
You could spend an entire week exploring side roads branching off this main artery.
8. Vermont Route 125 (Middlebury to Hancock over the Green Mountains)
Climbing over Middlebury Gap at 2,149 feet, this route earns its reputation as one of Vermont’s most dramatic drives. Robert Frost once lived near here, and you’ll understand why he found endless inspiration in these hills when they’re ablaze with autumn fire.
The Middlebury College campus provides collegiate charm before the road ascends into serious wilderness. Waterfalls tumble down rocky gorges beside the road, adding soundtrack to your visual feast.
Early October typically hits peak color here, but call ahead because this road closes in winter months.