I always liked Route 44 from Ascutney to Brownsville for beautiful fall foliage, but I was looking for other recommendations. Here are drives locals have enjoyed; their commentary and specific directions are in quotes. Apparently any drive through dirt roads in Woodstock are a good bet if you want to meander. Before you embark on your adventure, check out the live foliage report. The next few weeks I think will be great!
In the Upper Valley
1. Journey through WRJ, Woodstock, Hartland, Lebanon
2. Woodstock to Hartland
This is a similar drive to the first. “I drive Town Farm Hill Road and Hartland Hill Road everyday. Be careful of the ditches that have been caving. Coming from Woodstock you want to take the road that is at that sharp corner and keep going until you get onto a dirt rd. Keep on that dirt road straight through and it will lead to Farm Town Hill Road, which will eventually end at the Skunk Hollow Tavern.”
3. Woodstock to N. Pomfret
Take “Cloudland Road in Woodstock (off River Road past Billings Farm) to Pomfret, then over to Pomfret Road into North Pomfret. Another week and the whole drive will be spectacular!”
4. Woodstock to Quechee
Drive from Woodstock to Queechee along the river via E. Woodstock Road. If you can find the dirt road that does the same trip and is one lane in spots, that’s a bonus because one person that it “is the most amazing drive in the fall.”
Day Trips/Longer Drive: The White Mtns. and Northeast Kingdom
1. Lebanon to Conway.
This is an amazing drive along the Kancamagus Highway: probably the best foliage in NH. I love the White Mountains! So many wonderful fall hikes too along the highway. You can get a recreation permit for $5 so you can stop and enjoy the trails and have a picnic. I recommend stopping in Conway and checking out the great shopping and the trainstation. A great day trip. You could also take “Route 10 North to Woodsville to Rte. 302 East through the White mountains, then loop back on the Kangamangus (Rte. 112) to Rte. 10 South.” Both are beautiful drives!
2. Lebanon to Lebanon through the White Mtns.
One person recommended a long drive in the White Mtns.: “91 north to Exit 19, which is Route 93 and go south to 89 North.” They said it takes about 4 hours. Another option: “Go past 93 and take Route 2 West to 89 South.”
4. Lebanon, NH to Newport, VT
“Last year we drove up Rt. 5 north up the Newport. It was georgeous.”
I hope you find a drive that reminds you all you love about fall. Happy driving!
