Travel during the Fall on the East Coast

The leaves are almost down in Maine but the leaves are just starting to turn in lower NY. We are heading to Boston Minuteman CG mid Massachusetts, this weekend where they should be in full color. If it were me I would be up in Bar Harbor Me end of Sept early Oct looking to color turn time as well as linking up fall festivals. I beleive end of Sept ME has a lobster fest. and start working south and west from there. A little coast time then west into the mountains down Pennsylvania way. That will be a fun future trip.

Happy Trails!

Two major elements affecting our climate are the Appalachian Mountains all the way down from Newfoundland to Alabama...and the Gulf Stream along the Atlantic Coast.

So of course in addition to the north-south changes, you'll see colder temps in the mountains at higher elevations and more temperate weather right along the coast

(In our experience, for example, the NC coast is somewhat cooler in summer and warmer in winter than temps 50 mies inland.)

Makes for pleasant visits to the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mtn NP in summer and especially fall when it is still humid and hot elsewhere in the South.

Many private, full hookup campgrounds in New England close at the beginning of October, and/or Columbus day weekend (mid October). In Connecticut, some of the state parks are open until the end of October, but not a lot of full hookup sites (most CT state parks don't have full hookups).

It can be difficult to "plan" on prime leaf peeping weeks - kinda like fishing, it was always best last week or will be next week! lol

As posted, you can start up in Maine and work your way down.

The leaves are turning now in Pennsylvania. The weather can be cool or on the warm side.
The normal highs for October are in the 60's.

Like Johno02 said, start in Maine and work your way south.

When you get to Pennsylvania, take a tour of the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, PA.
It's America's Oldest Brewery, and it's a very interesting tour.


Enjoy your retirement and travels.

If you can do it, start in Maine about the middle of August, then follow the color change southward. Take your time, enjoy the small unique wineries, and take lots of pictures!

We've done several bike tours in Vermont and New Hampshire during late September and early August. It can get cold, and clear, and rainy, all in the same day! Plus snow flurries and strong wind. Wonderful bicycling and hiking, if you are well equipped -- the scenery is amazing. Hills aflame with colorful leaves, instead of actual flames like we have in Southern California. ;)

It is raining in West Tennessee, color change is about half way. i understand that the color change this year is supposed to be early and quick.