11 Best Midwest Fall Scenic Drives

Are you looking for the best Midwest fall scenic drives?

The weather is cool and pleasant, and the forests turn shades of red, orange, and yellow.

So, you get to enjoy the region’s most beautiful roads in the fall foliage.

Want to learn about some of the best places in Midwest for a fall scenic drive?

Then, check below my list of the 11 Best Midwest Fall Scenic Drives to add to your autumn bucket list!

Best Midwest Fall Scenic Drives At A Glance

Scenic Drive	State	Best For	Best Time For Fall Colors	Recommended Stay
North Shore Scenic Drive	Minnesota	Lake Superior, waterfalls & forests	Late September–Early October	2–3 days
Tunnel of Trees	Michigan	Tree-covered roads & Lake Michigan	Early–Mid October	1–2 days
Door County Coastal Byway	Wisconsin	Small towns, lighthouses & lake views	Late September–Mid-October	2–3 days
Great River Road	Illinois	Mississippi River & wooded bluffs	October	2–3 days
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour	Ohio	Covered bridges & countryside	Early–Mid October	1–2 days
Brown County Scenic Drive	Indiana	Forested hills & overlooks	Early–Mid October	2 days
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway	Iowa	Hills, prairie & overlooks	October	1–2 days
Ozark National Scenic Riverways	Missouri	Rivers, springs & historic mills	Mid–Late October	2–3 days
Native American Scenic Byway	South Dakota	Missouri River & prairie	Late September–Early October	2 days
Flint Hills National Scenic Byway	Kansas	Tallgrass prairie & small towns	Late October–Early November	1–2 days
Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway	Wisconsin	Lake Superior, forests & small towns	Late September–Early October	2 days

11 Best Midwest Fall Scenic Drives

North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota: Lake Superior, Waterfalls And Fall Colors

Highlights

• Duluth
• Two Harbors
• Gooseberry Falls State Park
• Split Rock Lighthouse
• Palisade Head
• Grand Marais

If you want to see some of the best Minnesota fall colors with gorgeous views of the lake, then you should go for the North Shore Scenic Drive.

You can start this 154-mile drive, which is also designated an All-American Road, from Duluth and follow the Lake Superior shoreline north toward the Canadian border.

Trust me, this is one of my favorite Minnesota fall scenic drives because there is so much to see!

On your drive from Duluth, make sure to stop at the Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Here you can enjoy the waterfalls amidst the trees that are bathed in fall colors!

Next, you can visit the Split Rock Lighthouse for the most stunning views of Lake Superior.

You can also make a stop at Palisade Head for the views of the lake from the cliffs.

If you have time, drive to Grand Marais. It is one of the best places to enjoy fall in Minnesota.

Plan your drive sometime between late September and early October.

But do check the weather reports before your trip.

Road Trip Tip: Since Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse are busiest between late morning and early afternoon, make sure to start early. This way you can get better parking and quieter trails.

Tunnel Of Trees Drive, Michigan: For A Canopy Of Fall Colors

Highlights

• Harbor Springs
• Good Hart
• Lake Michigan overlooks
• Cross Village

For those who want one of the best Midwest fall scenic drives surrounded by trees, Tunnel of Trees drive in Michigan is the perfect choice!

This famous stretch of M-119, designated a Pure Michigan Byway, is surrounded by thick trees on both sides, forming a canopy that looks absolutely stunning in the fall.

What I love about this drive is that it runs for about 20 miles between Harbor Springs and Cross Village in northern Michigan. So, when you need a quick day trip, this one fits the bill perfectly.

I would recommend that you start your drive in Harbor Springs and follow M-119 north.

You can stop at one of the cutest towns in Michigan, Good Hart, before continuing toward Cross Village.

Since this road is close to Lake Michigan, you will enjoy views of the lake from some points.

October is generally the best month to see Michigan fall colors along the Tunnel of Trees, so plan your trip accordingly.

Road Trip Tip: Make sure to drive from Harbor Springs toward Cross Village to get easier viewpoints for the lake views on your drive.

Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin: Lighthouses, Small Towns And Lake Views

Highlights

• Fish Creek
• Peninsula State Park
• Ephraim
• Sister Bay
• Baileys Harbor
• Lake Michigan

I absolutely love the Wisconsin fall scenic drive because it is much more than just colorful trees.

The Door County Coastal Byway is a 66-mile National Scenic Byway that loops around the northern Door Peninsula on Highways 42 and 57.

You can easily do this scenic drive in a day, but there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy over a weekend here.

Why is this one of my favorite Midwest fall scenic drives?

This drive takes you to some of the best-known communities in Door County, including Sister Bay, Fish Creek, and Ephraim.

Plus, you can visit the Peninsula State Park, a beautiful place in Wisconsin, where you can drive through the park or even hike among the fall foliage.

There are also plenty of lighthouses, forests, waterfront towns, and Lake Michigan views to take in throughout this drive.

For the best Wisconsin fall colors in Door County, plan your drive between late September and mid-October.

Road Trip Tip: Planning to visit on an October weekend? Then, book your stay and dinner reservations in advance. This is one of the busiest fall attractions in Wisconsin.

Great River Road, Illinois: Mississippi River Views And Colorful Bluffs

Highlights

• Galena
• Rock Island
• Nauvoo
• Grafton
• Pere Marquette State Park
• Alton

The Great River Road is perfect if you want a Midwest fall scenic drive that gives you more time in state parks and colorful bluffs.

It is part of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and is around 550 miles long.

You don’t need to drive the entire Illinois route in a single trip.

If you are looking for a shorter getaway, then plan the drive between Alton and Grafton.

It is one of the prettiest stretches where the road touches the Mississippi River beneath colorful limestone bluffs.

Make sure to stop at Pere Marquette State Park because the Illinois fall colors here are just magical with the views of the Mississippi River.

Do you want a longer road trip? You can follow more of this route and include fun attractions in Illinois like Galena, Rock Island, Nauvoo, and more.

Due to the length of this route, you can expect peak fall colors at different times on this route.

But generally, October is a good time to plan.

If you want one of the most epic Midwest fall scenic drives, then this is the one!

Road Trip Tip: If you have only one day, then the Alton to Grafton section is perfect. You’ll enjoy river views, scenic bluffs, and access to Pere Marquette State Park.

Ashtabula County, Ohio: Covered Bridges Surrounded By Fall Colors

Highlights

• Smolen-Gulf Bridge
• Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge
• Harpersfield Covered Bridge
• Lake Erie wine country
• Geneva-on-the-Lake

One of my favorite Midwest fall scenic drives is around Ashtabula County because covered bridges surrounded by fall foliage are too magical to describe in words!

I would recommend starting this Ohio fall scenic drive from the Smolen-Gulf Bridge and then covering Harpersfield Covered Bridge and Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge.

If you want to turn this into a weekend adventure, you can also plan to visit Geneva-on-the-Lake or wineries around Lake Erie.

I would suggest you plan your covered bridges road trip from early to mid-October for the Ohio fall colors!

Road Trip Tip: There isn’t one single road connecting every bridge, so plan which ones you want to visit and chalk out a route accordingly.

Midwest Fall Scenic Drives: Essentials Packing List

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.

Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.

It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. 

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.

These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.

These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.

For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.

Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.

This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.

If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from your qualifying purchases.

Brown County, Indiana: Rolling Hills Covered In Fall Colors

Highlights

• Brown County State Park
• Hesitation Point
• Ogle Lake
• State Road 46
• Nashville

Are you looking for the best Indiana fall colors to enjoy? If yes, then Brown County is the perfect choice for you.

Unlike some of the other Midwest fall scenic drives on this list, this road trip doesn’t have any official scenic route to follow.

You can create your own scenic road trip by combining roads such as State Road 46, State Road 135, and North Gate Road.

You will love this drive because the entire region is covered in rolling, forested hills

which turn into layers of orange, red, and yellow in the autumn season.

Don’t forget to stop at the Brown County State Park and enjoy panoramic views of the rolling hills from the Hesitation Point.

If you are tired of driving, you can even walk around Ogle Lake and stretch your legs a bit.

Explore Nashville, a small town in Indiana where you can find plenty of galleries, local shops, and cafes.

You can find the best Brown County fall colors between late September and mid-October so plan your road trip around that.

Road Trip Tip: If you want quiet views from the Hesitation Point, then arrive early in the morning because it gets crowded during the peak fall foliage weekend.

Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, Iowa: Golden Prairies And Unusual Hills

Highlights

• Hitchcock Nature Center
• Missouri River Valley
• Loess Hills overlooks
• Prairie preserves
• Western Iowa countryside

Ready for a unique fall road trip? Then, you have to plan an Iowa fall scenic drive.

Take the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway that runs for about 220 miles through western Iowa along the Missouri River Valley and offers very unique views from the rest of Iowa.

The hills here were created by deposits of windblown soil called loess.

In autumn, you can notice a mix of colorful woodland and golden prairie grasses here.

Hike the Hitchcock Nature Center during the fall to enjoy the wide views of the Loess Hills.

Apart from that, you can also find here smaller communities, preserves, and scenic viewpoints to explore.

My advice is to plan a fall road trip to Iowa in October for the best Midwest fall colors!

Road Trip Tip: Since many parts of this road include rural areas, I recommend starting with a full tank of gas and downloading offline maps for your route.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Clear Rivers, Springs And Fall Foliage

Highlights

• Alley Spring
• Alley Mill
• Big Spring
• Blue Spring
• Rocky Falls
• Current River

Another one of the fall Midwest fall scenic drives to take is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri.

What I love about this Missouri road trip is that there isn’t one designated scenic byway for this one.

You actually get to create your own fall route.

Use Highway 19 and the roads that connect the attractions within Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Start around Alley Spring where you can spot the bright red Alley Mill beside the water.

From there, you can drive to Blue Spring, Big Spring, and Rocky Falls, depending on how much time you have.

Since the Missouri fall colors arrive later than most states, you can plan a road trip here from mid to late October easily.

Road Trip Tip: There is limited cell reception in rural areas of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Make sure to download maps before leaving.

Native American Scenic Byway, South Dakota: Missouri River Bluffs And Open Prairie

Highlights

• Fort Pierre
• Missouri River
• Lower Brule
• Chamberlain
• Dignity of Earth & Sky

For those who are tired of driving through dense forests, a South Dakota fall scenic drive is just perfect!

The Native American Scenic Byway features US-83, SD-44, and SD-1806 as you make your drive through central South Dakota.

Honestly, you don’t have to do the full route.

In fact, the drive between Fort Pierre and Chamberlain is ideal for a day trip with plenty of scenic views along the Missouri River.

You travel through open prairies, rolling hills, and lands of several tribal nations.

After reaching Chamberlain, don’t forget to make a stop at the Dignity of Earth & Sky statue that overlooks the river.

If you want the best South Dakota fall colors, then plan your scenic drive from September to early October.

Road Trip Tip: Make sure to stop at the cultural and historic sites rather than just driving the entire way.

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, Kansas: Golden Tallgrass Prairie And Bison

Highlights

• Council Grove
• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
• Strong City
• Cottonwood Falls
• Cassoday

Want to see a completely different side of Midwest fall colors?

Plan a road trip on the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway that follows K-177 for 47 miles between Council Grove and Cassoday.

This is one of the few Midwest fall scenic drives that doesn’t take you through dense forest

but makes its way through the country’s remaining tallgrass prairie landscapes.

You should definitely stop at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, one of the top things to do in Kansas.

During fall in Kansas, hike through the prairie and can even spot the preserve’s bison herd.

Next, you can visit Strong City and Cottonwood Falls before driving the byway toward Cassoday.

The best part? Kansas fall colors generally arrive later than other Midwestern states.

So, you can easily plan a fall road trip from late October into early November.

Road Trip Tip: You will find golden tallgrass prairie in Kansas, so don’t expect the fall foliage similar to Michigan or Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway: An Underrated Great Lakes Fall Drive

Highlights

• Bayfield
• Lake Superior
• Red Cliff
• Orchards
• Beaches
• Apostle Islands area

If you love Lake Superior views but want a different vibe than Minnesota, then make your way to northern Wisconsin.

Enjoy a drive on the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway that follows Highway 13 for about 70 miles along Wisconsin’s Lake Superior shoreline.

This route is a National Scenic Byway and includes past forests, beaches, orchards, and fishing communities.

You can make Bayfield your base to stay and explore more of the Apostle Islands area, one of the most amazing places to visit in Wisconsin.

Another attraction that you will pass on this route is the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation, which makes for a good cultural spot.

For this drive, late September through early October is the best time to enjoy the Wisconsin fall colors here.

Road Trip Tip: Since fall colors can change quickly here, make sure to check fall foliage maps before your trip.