See The Best PA Foliage On These 5 Jaw-Dropping Road Trips

PENNSYLVANIA — Fall foliage is nearing the time of peak brilliance in Pennsylvania, making the time ripe for a fall leaf-peeping road trip.

According to an interactive fall foliage map, the leaves in Pennsylvania should be popping between Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, depending on where in the state you live.

The map, from the travel site Smokymountains.com uses a refined data model based on historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in specific geographic areas, and real-time user reports.

The map is easy to use. The slider at the bottom resets weekly to include the latest data. To see when leaves are expected to peak, move the slider to the right. Leaves haven’t started changing yet in green areas, and the brown color means foliage has passed its peak.

As with any meteorological forecast dependent upon weather variables, leaf predictions aren’t always 100 percent accurate, but the map does give Pennsylvania leaf-peepers a good shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange and sunny yellows.

Here are five fall leaf-peeping road trips around the Keystone State:

1. Pennsylvania Route 30

Southern Pennsylvania has its own long-distance east-west drive on Route 30, complete with plenty of attractions to visit along the way, according to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. You’ll start in Philadelphia near the Philadelphia Zoo, then follow the route west where you’ll come across scenic farmland and numerous downtown galleries in Lancaster, historic Gettysburg, the picturesque town of Ligonier, and eventually come to Pittsburgh.

2. Route 32 in Bucks County

Bucks County has been named the No. 1 leaf peeping destination in the nation for 2024, according to a search analysis compiled by Priceline. This drive on Route 32 winds along the Delaware River along the eastern border of Bucks, offering tons of chances to check out antique shops, art galleries, major historic sites and upscale restaurants, as VisitPhilly.com noted in its annual fall foliage guide. On your way, check out the Washington Crossing Historic Park. There, you’ll find the perfect spot to admire the foliage on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river.

3. Pennsylvania Route 6

National Geographic designated Route 6 as one of America's most scenic drives, and it's also is ranked among the “Top Scenic Routes in America” by Car and Driver Magazine, according to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. Along the 400-mile route, you’ll experience history and heritage, small towns, 19 state parks, and a half-dozen state forests.

4. Berks County Covered Bridge Tour

Take a ride on roads less traveled by driving through four of Berks County’s five covered bridges — all built in the 1800s, as noted by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Then, take a walk or bike through the 218-foot-long Wertz’s Covered Bridge, the longest single-span covered bridge in Pennsylvania.

5. Washington’s Trail 1753

Washington’s Trail 1753, a driving route through western Pennsylvania, commemorates young George Washington's first military and diplomatic venture. The route, which starts about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, takes you to several destinations, including Fort Necessity National Battlefield.

Related article — 2024 Leaf-Peeping Guide: When Fall Foliage Will Reach Peak Colors In PA