Though today’s weather may be a far cry from the crisp, chilly air fall is bound to bring, autumn road trips are officially on the horizon.
If you’re looking for a route worth putting on your fall bucket list, Travel + Leisure has already done some of the homework for you. The publication just named this scenic journey one of the best fall road trips for 2026, and it takes you from NYC through Pennsylvania and into New York’s gorgeous Finger Lakes region.
The route is packed with the kind of stops that make a fall road trip feel like an adventure in its own right: leafy state parks, mountain views, a picture-perfect Pennsylvania town known as the “Switzerland of America,” scenic hikes, dramatic waterfalls, wine country and charming lakeside towns.
🍂 Why Travel + Leisure Ranked This Route Tops
This drive offers maximum diversity within a 4- to 5-hour driving radius. Instead of long, monotonous highway stretches, you move through distinct ecological zones: the rugged Pocono Mountains, the dramatic Lehigh Gorge, and the glacially carved Finger Lakes.
It delivers an authentic East Coast autumn— think crisp crisp mountain air, fiery foliage, vintage train rides, and farm-to-table wine tastings.
🍷 What You’ll See Along the Way
- Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: Known as the “Switzerland of America,” this historic mountain town features Victorian architecture nestled directly against steep, forest-covered cliffs. Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for panoramic leaf-peeping through the canyon.
- Lehigh Gorge & Hickory Run State Parks: Home to miles of riverside trails, dramatic overlooks, and the famous 400-foot Boulder Field.
- Watkins Glen State Park: Located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, this gorge trail winds past 19 cascading waterfalls carved into ancient stone cliffs.
- Finger Lakes Wine Country: Drive along the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway to visit world-renowned Riesling producers, cider houses, and waterfront eateries.
🚗 Where to Start & Route Logistics
- Starting Point: Leave New York City via I-80 West, crossing through the Delaware Water Gap into Pennsylvania.
- First Major Stop (2 Hours In): Take Route 209 into Jim Thorpe, PA. Spend a full day exploring Broadway, taking a train ride, or hiking the D&L Trail.
- The Final Stretch (2.5 Hours North): Head north on I-81 and NY-14 directly into Watkins Glen and Geneva, NY, anchored on Seneca Lake.
- Best Time to Go: Early to mid-October for peak foliage across both the Poconos and the Finger Lakes.
All that’s left to do? Pack a sweater, grab some snacks, and hit the road.