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Best Fall Foliage Drives from North Conway

Five stunning routes through peak New England color — all starting within 15 minutes of town.

There's a reason people travel from around the world to see fall foliage in the White Mountains. When the maples, birches, and oaks turn in late September through mid-October, the entire valley transforms into a canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. North Conway is the perfect base camp for foliage drives, with several of the best routes starting right from town. Peak color typically hits the higher elevations first (late September) and works its way down to the valleys (mid-October). Check the NH foliage tracker for current conditions.

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Kancamagus Highway (Route 112)

34.5 miles • 1-3 hours (with stops) • Starts 15 min west of North Conway

The single most famous fall foliage drive in New England, and it lives up to every bit of the hype. The "Kanc" (as locals call it) runs 34.5 miles from Conway to Lincoln through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, climbing to nearly 3,000 feet at Kancamagus Pass. There are no gas stations, no commercial developments — just unbroken forest and mountain views in every direction.

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Bear Notch Road

9 miles • 30-45 min • Starts in Bartlett (10 min from North Conway)

The locals' secret for foliage season. While everyone is bumper-to-bumper on the Kanc, Bear Notch Road offers equally stunning views with a fraction of the traffic. This scenic road runs from Bartlett up through Bear Notch and connects to the Kancamagus Highway, so you can combine them into one epic loop. The road climbs through dense hardwood forest with several overlooks offering sweeping valley views. It's narrower and quieter than the Kanc, which is exactly what makes it special. Closed in winter.

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Route 302 through Crawford Notch

25 miles • 1-2 hours (with stops) • Starts 20 min north of North Conway

A dramatic drive through one of the most impressive glacial notches in the White Mountains. Route 302 follows the Saco River north from Bartlett through Crawford Notch State Park, where towering cliffs rise on both sides of the road and waterfalls cascade down the mountainsides. The foliage here is spectacular — hardwoods blaze with color against the dark granite cliffs.

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Mt. Washington Auto Road

7.6 miles (one way) • 1-2 hours • 25 min from North Conway (Pinkham Notch)

Drive to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast and look down on the foliage from 6,288 feet. The Mt. Washington Auto Road is a unique experience — an 8-mile toll road that climbs above treeline with increasingly dramatic views at every turn. In early fall, you can see the foliage change below you in real-time as you gain elevation. The summit views on a clear day extend into Maine, Vermont, and even Quebec.

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Conway Scenic Railroad — Foliage Train

1-5.5 hours • Departs from North Conway Village

Not a drive — but the most relaxing way to experience fall foliage in the valley. The Conway Scenic Railroad runs heritage trains from the historic 1874 station right in North Conway Village through some of the most beautiful scenery in the White Mountains. The Valley Train (1 hour) runs south along the Saco River. The Notch Train (5.5 hours) is the premium experience — a full-day journey through Crawford Notch with stunning views you can't see from the road.

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