3 Routes for Beautiful Fall Drives

September 24th, 2009

With its mountain vistas, historic highways and scenic farmlands, the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. But in the fall, nature puts on its firework display and the region turns into a breathtaking spectacular of colors.

A drive on almost any roadway in the Laurel Highlands will offer fabulous views of colorful foliage from mountaintops, hillsides and valleys. Usually at its peak during the 2nd and 3rd weeks in October, I suggest three routes to take-in the splendid treasures of autumn in the Laurel Highlands.

These routes offer several points of interest along the way. A trip on U.S. Route 40 from Brownsville, PA to Grantsville, MD will take the traveler across approximately 50 miles of the nation’s first highway. U.S. Route 40 follows the National Road with several areas where the original road detours off the current route.

Another choice for the west/east traveler is Route 30, a perfect fall alternative to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Route 30 also known as the Lincoln Highway offers many recreational, historical and scenic attractions along the approximate 80 miles from Irwin to Bedford.

For the traveler who wishes to head north or south, the best pick for a relaxing fall drive is Route 381/711 which has been designated a National Scenic Byway. These routes connect Routes U.S. 40 & U.S. 30. coming from the south, your first stop will be at Ohiopyle State Park for a glimpse of the waterfalls and whitewater. The next major attractions along the route is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater especially beautiful backed by the brilliant fall foliage. The remainder of the road winds through scenic farmlands and ends in Historic Ligonier.

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