Best Fall Motorcycle Routes for Leaf Peeping
There's a short window every year when different regions of the country turn gold, orange, red, and yellow — fall when the leaves start to change.
What better view than from the seat of a motorcycle: no windshield, no roof, just cool air and vibrant colors all around.
If you're planning one last big ride before winter, here are some routes worth exploring.
Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
The Parkway is a favorite for a reason. Over 400 miles of ridge-top curves, wide overlooks, and small towns to stop in along the way. In the fall, the hardwood forests turn first at the higher elevations, so you can chase peak color by riding north to south, or vice versa, as the season moves.
Rider Tip:
Roads here are narrow and twisty, and small towns mean small-town speed limits. Slow down, take the detours — that's the whole point.
Stops:
- Mabry Mill (Meadows of Dan, VA) — historic gristmill, one of the most-photographed stops on the whole Parkway. 4.7 stars.
- Pisgah Inn (Canton, NC) — mountain-view dining at milepost 408, plus lodging and a gift shop. 4.6 stars, known for the trout and elk.
- The Bluffs (Laurel Springs, NC) — milepost 241, opened 1949, reopened 2021 after renovation. A solid historic-stop angle for the post.
New England Back Roads (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine)
New England doesn't have one single route — it has hundreds of small ones, and that's the appeal. Covered bridges, stone walls, maple trees lighting up whole hillsides. Route 100 through Vermont is a classic starting point, and from there you can wander onto smaller state roads without ever getting lost for long.
Rider Tip:
Roads here are narrow and twisty, and small towns mean small-town speed limits. Slow down, take the detours — that's the whole point.
Stops:
- Warren Falls (Warren, VT) — swimming holes and rock slides right off Route 100. 4.8 stars.
- Clear River Tavern (Pittsfield, VT) — 4.7 stars, patio views, local favorite.
- Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice (Mendon, VT) — breakfast spot near Killington, pumpkin pancakes get called out a lot in reviews. 4.7 stars.
Pacific Northwest (Washington & Oregon)
Fall in the Pacific Northwest is underrated. You get gold-leafed vine maples against dark evergreens, misty mountain passes, and routes that run from coastline to alpine in the same day. The North Cascades Highway and the Columbia River Gorge are two solid places to start.
Rider Tip:
Weather changes fast out here. Pack rain gear even if the forecast looks clear. Also worth noting: the North Cascades Highway (SR-20) closes seasonally once snow moves in, typically sometime in November. If you're riding late in the season, check current road status before you commit to the pass.
Stops:
- Birdsview Diner (Concrete, WA) — 4.7 stars, dog-friendly, right on SR-20.
- Mazama Public House (Mazama, WA) — near the eastern approach to the pass, mountain views, solid beer list. 4.6 stars.
- Multnomah Falls Lodge (Corbett, OR) — the iconic gorge stop, right at the falls. 4.5 stars.
- The Gorge White House (Hood River, OR) — You-pick fruit farm and cider tasting, seasonal (open through December). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan around it.
However you get out there, fall rides are worth planning around. The crowds thin out, the air's easier to breathe, and the scenery does most of the work for you.
And if fall also has you thinking about your bike payment — maybe it's time to see if you could be paying less — that's something we can help with too.