Fall is a great time to take a scenic ride to enjoy the reds and golds of the turning leaves. Layer up or put on your heated riding gear, then head out for a day trip, or a long weekend and welcome the fall riding season.  Here are some routes around the New England States to consider as you plan your autumn rides.

Connecticut

Just say fall foliage and the New England States come to mind. Connecticut driving routes are plentiful for taking in the beautiful colors of fall. The Litchfield Hills Driving Loop is a scenic 100 mile route that will take you past a covered bridge and through picturesque small towns. Begin in Torrington at the intersection of Routes 202 and 63. Head north on Route 8 to Winsted, then Route 44 to Canaan. Take Route 7 past the historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge across the Housatonic River. From there, Route 45 heads to Warren and becomes a scenic road around Lake Waramaug.  In New Preston, take Route 202, then south on Route 47 to Washington Depot and north on Route 109 to East Morris. Route 63 heading north takes you back to Litchfield, then east on Route 118 to Route 8 to close the loop.

Rhode Island

Start your drive on Route 3 from Exit 1 off I-95 toward downtown Westerly. Follow Route 1A to the seaside village of Watch Hill. Stroll along Bay Street before following Route 1A and Route 1 north through Charlestown, Wakefield and Narragansett Pier. Continue 1A along the coast  up to Wickford. From Wickford, follow Route 102 north through the Pawcatuck Borderlands. Look for farm stands and pick-your-own orchards.  Continue north on 102 to Nasonville and Wright's Chicken Farm, a family-style restaurant. Head north on 102 to 146 South and back to I-295, which will bring you back to I-95.  Check out more information on Rhode Islands fall foliage.

New Hampshire

Check out  the Connecticut River Scenic Byway which parallels New England's longest river.  Approximately 140 miles long, this byway  follows the Connecticut River along the western boarder of New Hampshire from the junction of Rt. 9 in West Chesterfield to Littleton in the White Mountains.  From I-91 near the Vermont boarder, take Rt. 9 east to West Chesterfield; turn north on Main Street, which becomes River Road, and follow it north to the junction with Rt. 63. Again head north to Rt. 12, which will take you though picturesque Walpole. North of historic Charlestown , pick up Rt. 12A, which winds through a hilly landscape, past the Cornish-Windsor Bridge and Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site .  In Lebanon, take Rt. 10 north through Hanover, a beautiful college town, to Lyme and Orford home of the Seven Swans, said to be the finest group of Federal-style houses in the United States.  Continue on to Haverhill and Woodsville, where you'll pick up Rt. 135. It joins Rt. 18 west of Littleton, a bustling town and great ending for a scenic ride.

Vermont

From Vermont Interstate 89, take the Waterbury Exit to Route 100. You might want to make a stop at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory  and then follow 100 into Stowe Village and the junction of Route 108 - The Mountain Rd.  Follow Route 108 northwest through Smuggler's Notch to Jeffersonville and the junction of Route 15.  Follow Route 15 as it goes slightly north before turning southeast to the Village of Morrisville and the junction with Route 100 taking you back to Stowe Village.   

Another great scenic loop in this area is off Interstate 89 at Exit 9.  Head south on Route 100B to Route 100 along the Mad River. You'll see rolling hills, family farms, and the Green Mountains. Route 100 is also home to interesting shops like Mad River Glass Gallery and restaurants like the 1824 House Inn. Take a right on Route 17 west toward the Appalachian Gap  mountain pass through the Green Mountains. Stop at the top to sightsee or hike on The Long Trail. Continue west on Route 17, and take a left on U.S. Route 7, just past New Haven. Follow Route 7 south to East Middlebury where you will go left on Route 125. Just past Ripton, stop and check out the Robert Frost Wayside. There is a nature trail, posted with Frost's poems, leading to beautiful views of the Green Mountains.  Follow Route 125 west to Hancock.  Then turn north on Route 100 traveling past Granville, Warren and back up to Interstate 89 completing the loop. Find more great Vermont Fall Foliage drives.
 

Maine

 Explore the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway Start the trip in Skowhegan (exit 133 off of I-95), on U.S. Route 201 and in 75 miles, you'll be in Jackman. Continue on and you will be at the Quebec border. Remote and unspoiled, this neck of the Maine woods embraces nature and beauty. Route 201 winds gently alongside the Kennebec River, Wyman Lake, and the Dead River, as well as through vast privately owned forests, where the fall colors explode.  To make a loop turn onto state route 16, just south of Jackman Station and wind past Long Pond, Brassua Lake and Moosehead Lake, at Guilford take Route 150 back to 201 at Skowhegan.

New York

Consider the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. This is a 90-mile loop around the longest of New Yorks Finger Lakes.  The route includes the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, wineries, and Taughannock Falls. You'll find wonderful restaurants and much more on this fun day ride. 

Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is centrally located in New York State, within 2 hours driving time from Niagara Falls & Albany and 4 hours from New York City and Toronto.

From I-90 NYS Thruway
Exit 40: South on Route 34, West on Route 5 & 20, then Rt. 90 South
Exit 41:  South on 414, East on 318, then East on 5&20 to 89 South (West side), or Route 90 South (East side)

From I-86
Route 13 North to Ithaca; to Route 89 North (West side)
or Route 34 (East side)

From I-81
Exit 11 onto Route 13 South to Ithaca; to Route 89 North (West side)
or Route 34 (East side)

Yankee Magazine has an excellent site with driving routes, blogs, and a foliage tracker interactive map.

Leah Lind