Choose your fall drive {#fall-drives}

1. Pinkham Notch and Mount Washington — the featured drive

Route: North Conway → Jackson/Glen → NH 16 through Pinkham Notch → Mt. Washington Auto Road → return to North Conway.
Best for: Big mountain views and a trip that can become the day’s main event.

Head north from the Valley as the road rises between the Presidential Range and the Wildcats. The Mt. Washington Auto Road turns this scenic trip into a journey above the trees. Drive your own eligible vehicle or explore a guided tour, then take time to see how different the landscape looks at each elevation. Conditions at the summit can change quickly, even on a warm fall day. Check the Auto Road’s status, hours, and vehicle restrictions before leaving North Conway.

Sponsor feature / photo panel
Take the road higher. The 7.6-mile Mt. Washington Auto Road climbs more than 4,000 feet to the highest summit in the Northeast. Its pull-offs and changing ecological zones make the ascent as memorable as the view at the top. Choose a drive-yourself visit or a guided tour, weather permitting.
Buttons: Plan your Auto Road visit → https://mt-washington.com/ · Check road status → https://mt-washington.com/

2. Crawford Notch — mountains, water, and wide views

Route: North Conway → Bartlett on US 302 → Crawford Notch → Bretton Woods → return the same way.
Best for: A flexible half-day or full-day outing with frequent photo stops.

Follow Route 302 west from North Conway through Bartlett and into Crawford Notch. The scenery shifts from Valley towns to steep mountain walls, forest, streams, and long views. Turn around whenever you like, or continue toward Bretton Woods before heading back. Give yourself room in the schedule to stop safely at designated overlooks and trailheads.

3. The Kancamagus Highway — a White Mountains classic

Route: North Conway → Conway → NH 112 west toward Lincoln → return by the same road, or make a longer loop via Franconia and Crawford notches.
Best for: River scenery, overlooks, and a full fall foliage day.

From Conway, the Kancamagus Highway crosses the White Mountain National Forest toward Lincoln. The Swift River, roadside stops, and mountain overlooks offer plenty of reasons to take it slowly. For a shorter outing, choose a turnaround point and retrace the drive. For a longer trip, continue to Lincoln and loop back toward North Conway by way of Franconia and Crawford notches. Expect busy parking areas during peak foliage weekends.

Related guide: https://northconwaynh.com/kancamagus-highway-nh/

4. West Side Road — stay close to the Valley

Route: North Conway → West Side Road → Conway → return via NH 16/302.
Best for: A relaxed, shorter drive with village and rural scenery.

You do not have to cross a mountain pass to enjoy a fall road trip. West Side Road offers a slower look at the Valley, with fields, trees, and mountain views along the way. Pair the drive with a stop in North Conway Village or use it as a gentle start before heading toward the Kancamagus Highway.

Before you go

• Follow the color: Fall conditions vary by elevation and change through the season. See our latest locally produced foliage reports before choosing a route.
• Check conditions: Mountain weather, seasonal road access, and attraction hours can change. For the Auto Road, check its current status and vehicle restrictions on the day of your trip.
• Build in time: A scenic drive takes longer when you stop for photographs, overlooks, meals, or a short walk. Park only in designated places.

FAQ

What is the best fall road trip from North Conway?
It depends on the day. Choose the Kancamagus Highway for a classic foliage drive, Crawford Notch for dramatic roadside mountain scenery, or Pinkham Notch and the Mt. Washington Auto Road for the chance to travel above the changing leaves when conditions allow.

Can I drive up Mount Washington in the fall?
The Mt. Washington Auto Road offers fall drive-yourself access when weather and road conditions allow. Check its current road status, operating hours, and vehicle restrictions before you go.

Where can I check current foliage near North Conway?
Start with NorthConwayNH.com’s fall foliage reports, which cover the Valley and nearby mountain routes.