By Katherine LaGrave & Aislyn Greene, September 12, 2024
A road trip can be as simple as taking an afternoon drive to view some fall color (with an excellent soundtrack or podcast, naturally). Or it could be slightly more ambitious: spending a full weekend exploring the autumnal glory and fall foliage of neighboring states you may not have seen in awhile. Take in the changing trees, inhale the crisp air, and taste local foods on one of these eight fall road trips across the United States.
8. U.S. Route 395, California
Start: New Pine Creek
End: Hesperia
Approximate distance: 550 miles
While California’s Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) is a prime summertime drive, the best fall drive is the inland U.S. Route 395. The complete route goes from the Mojave Desert to the Canada–U.S. border near Laurier, Washington, but California’s 550-mile or so portion traces the eastern Sierras and terminates in Hesperia, around 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Embark on the trip from mid-September to October for peak fall foliage, and take your pick of national and state parks—Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia to name a few—to see the shifting colors until the end of November.
Where to stay along the way: Evergreen Lodge
If you want to stop by Yosemite on this fall foliage drive, the more than 100-year-old Evergreen Lodge is a great option for families, located about one mile from Yosemite National Park’s western entrance. Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran says her Thanksgiving stay at the lodge was “downright magical”; highlights include a heated pool, two outdoor playgrounds, and nightly s’mores.
