Vermont Foliage Information

About New England’s Foliage

Every autumn throughout New England, diminishing length of daylight and falling temperatures induce trees to shed billions of tons of leaves. Preceding this preparation for winter the trees present a spectacular color show. Leaves that have been green all summer turn to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red.

These color changes are caused by transformations in leaf pigments, primarily the green pigment chlorophyll. During summer, the leaves of trees are producing sugar from carbon dioxide and water by the workings of light and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll causes the leaves to appear green.

The shorter days and cool nights of autumn set off changes in the tree. One is the growth of a corky membrane at the base of the leaf stem, which interrupts the flow of nutrients into the leaf. This stops the production of chlorophyll in the leaf, and the green color of the leaf fades, allowing the reds, oranges and yellows to burst forth. The best autumn colors are produced when dry, sunny days are followed by cool, dry nights.

Color may begin to appear in isolated spots in far northern New England the first week in September. Typically, the color change begins at the higher elevations and in the northern part of the region mid-September and moves southward through mid-to-late October, ending in southern New England coastal areas at the end of October.

Visitors who travel to see our spectacular foliage are known as, “Leaf-Peepers.” While on your excursion do stop at country stores, orchards, local restaurants and shops. We have suggested some routes for you to drive. We also suggest that you try some backroads. Get a local map, and don’t worry about getting lost. You’ll always bump into a main road sooner or, hopefully, later.

Foliage Maps and Reports

Use the New England Foliage Map to determine where and when you are likely to see the best foliage. Once foliage season begins the Foliage Reports will be regularly updated.

Vermont Foliage Map

Vermont Foliage Report

Vermont State Map

Scenic Drives

Despite its nickname as the Green Mountain State, Vermont could just as easily be known as the foliage state. Simply get off of the Interstate and travel the state roads, back roads and mountain roads. Don’t be afraid to get lost -- it’s a small state -- keep your map handy, and your eyes peeled. You are going to encounter genuinely breathtaking vistas and panoramas. Mountain top views of reds, oranges and yellows virtually vibrate among the forests of evergreens. Vermont boasts 5.5 million acres of forested land. Enjoy them all.

It may be hard to believe, but mountainous Vermont has north-south and east west highways that provide a grid-like pattern. North and south, along Vermont’s eastern border formed by the Connecticut River are Interstate 91 paralleled by state Route 5. Through the center of the state, running though the higher elevations of Vermont is Route 100. This rises and falls, and twists and turns through numerous small towns and hamlets. And on the western side of the state Route 7 can take you from Massachusetts to Canada. This favorite road passes through Bennington, Manchester, Rutland, Middlebury and Burlington.

Traversing Vermont on the east-west axis is, in the south, Route 9 from Brattleboro to Bennington. Mid-state is Route 4, that takes you from White River Junction on the Connecticut River, up the mountains to Killington, then to Rutland, and Fair Haven on the New York border. Route 2 is the farthest north main east-west road. From St. Johnsbury in the east it will take you to Vermont’s capital, Montpelier. From there the road parallels I-89 to Burlington.

Central

Route 7 North, from Rutland to Middlebury is a 37-mile stretch of color and tranquility. The next 35 miles, from Middlebury to Burlington, are equally stunning. Route 100 from Shelburne Center to Middlesex covers 65 miles of pure Vermont scenery.
Rutland - Middlebury

Northern

The ride from Burlington to the Canadian border is about 45 miles. All of it is worth seeing.

Vermont isn’t usually associated with islands but the northwest corner of the state features South Hero and North Hero islands beautifully situated in Lake Champlain. Take either I-89 or Route 2 north out of Burlington. (If on I-89 take Exit 17 to get onto Route 2). Traveling north and west you’ll cross the lake onto South Hero Island. Time to explore without fear of getting lost. Route 2 continues on to North Hero and Allsburg. After Allsburg Center turn right onto Route 78 this will bring you back south to Swanton where you can pick up either Route 7 or I-89 that will take you south back to Burlington.

Vermont Route 100 is full of pleasing vistas from south to north. Also especially enjoyable are the 80-mile jaunt between Montpelier and Newport, and Route 114 between St. Johnsbury and Norton, about 60 miles.
Burlington - Montpelier - St. Johnsbury

Southern

Ride along the west side of Green Mountain National Forest. Start on Route 7 in Bennington. Traveling north, pick up route 7A (or stay on 7) to Manchester Center, a drive of about 25 miles. Route 9 is also a pleasant drive that traverses the southern part of the Green Mountain state from Brattleboro in the east, through Wilmington, to Bennington on the western border, where Vermont meets New York. The drive is approximately 40 tranquil miles across the southern section of Green Mountain National forest.
Bennington - Brattleboro - Manchester