The Unites States is an incredibly large country and there is no better way to see it than taking a road trip. The fall semester is the perfect time to hit the road with the various three-day weekends and holidays, and the crisp cool weather. Here are five different adventurous road trips to take during the fall semester:
The Great Pacific Northwest
Take a break from Seattle city life and visit the beautiful islands of Puget Sound up to Vancouver, Canada. While it only takes two hours to drive from Seattle to Vancouver on I-5, ditch the concrete for a more scenic route that will take you to Whidbey Island on a ferry, through Deception Pass, and on Chuckanut Drive through Larrabee State Park. Once you cross the border of Canada, take BC-91 up to Vancouver for a tree-lined view of the delta. Check out the route here.
Fall Foliage of Vermont
Fall is the best time of the year to drive through New England. Better yet, take a road trip around southern Vermont! It’s a small state, but has a lot to offer. Experience gourmet cheese, apple cider, homemade ice cream, donuts, and more in the artsy town of Woodstock. Pick your own pumpkins and apples at the various u-pick farms outside of Killington. The best part is seeing the magnificent trees and bushes changing into various shades of red, orange, yellows. This is one road trip you won’t want to miss! Check out the route here.
Route 66
With the cooler weather during the fall, taking a road trip in the Southwest United States is the perfect getaway. Experience the historic Route 66, which is considered the Mother Road of the United States as it is one of the original highways created in the U.S. Highway Systems in 1926. Start your journey in Las Vegas and make your way to the pristine south rim of the Grand Canyon. Make a stop at one of the old classic diners along Route 66 and order a burger and milkshake. As you make your way to the Grand Canyon, experience the ghost towns of the Old West. Once you get to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, take an exhilarating walk on the glass bottomed Skybridge. Check out this trip guide from My Grand Canyon Park for more information.
Lake Superior Loop
Lake Superior is part of the Great Lakes and it’s the largest freshwater lake in the world. It offers roadtrippers picturesque views of islands, sand dunes, lighthouses, waterfalls, cliffs, and lots of wildlife. This road trips takes you through three differents states and Canada! Make sure to stop in Sault Ste. Marie in Canada and Michigan, as the city is split by the St. Mary’s River. Whether you only do a portion of the loop or all of it, the fall weather will add an extra bonus with the leaves changing colors! Check out this map to find where the best place to start your Lake Superior Loop Road Trip.
California’s Golden Coast
Experience California’s stunning coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Whether you are starting in San Francisco or San Diego, the PCH offers sparkling views of the Pacific Ocean. Take a break in Santa Cruz to experience the carnival like boardwalk on the beach, then drive through the scenic cliffs of Big Sur and then south to the idyllic beaches of Santa Barbara and Malibu. Don’t forget the excellent Mexican food in San Diego. Check out the route here.
By Brianna Burrows
Brianna Burrows is a freelance marketing specialist and alumna of Northeastern University. She specializes in event management, social media management, and content branding. Follow her on Twitter here.
