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Thats tough because you're really over 2 hours to any really good spots. The closest trip would be to drive to Winston-Salem and take Hwy. 52 to Mt. Airy, then take Hwy. 601 south down to Hwy 421 and return to Winston from there. Mt. Airy is a little over 2 hours from Raleigh. Better viewing would be to stay on Hwy. 52 past Mt. Airy to Fancy Gap, VA, then get on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Meadows of Dan, then take Hwy. 58 and Hwy. 87 back to Burlington and then back to Raleigh.
Hanging Rock or Pilot Mountain. It's right about 2 hrs.
You can also go to the Uwharries, near Asheboro. That will be later in the season.
Should be peak around the 17th/18th in Boone. Best viewing is really up there and all along the Blue Ridge Parkway down to the Smokies. The peak is very dependent on elevation so lower elevations like here and the Uwharries and Hanging Rock peak later.
Really, anywhere North and West of here--just get in the car an drvie (just be careful not to back up traffic). The smaller roads are often better for this than interstates, as it's easier to get out and look around. Just get a map and head towards Greensboro, then go north or northwest. But you're a tad early for the best leaves in that part of the state.
This is farther than you want so I'm just throwing it out there for the heck of it. You can be in Bluefield, West Virginia in a little over three hours. You combine the fall colors with the Pokey route (Northfolk Southern's Pocohontas Division) and you can get some incredible shots. Another choice is the Lynchburg, Virginia area, beautiful as well and only about two and a half hours away. I suggested these only because if you head to the NC mountains you won't be able to swing a dead cat without hitting a leaf peeper. I've been doing day trips to these areas and you can get so lost in some of the most beautiful scenery that's around and never see another soul...
I've always like heading west on Hwy 158 for this. If you're in Raleigh, you can head north on US 1 (so you'll 158 in Henderson) or NC 50 (get on 158 in Oxford). If you're in Durham, go north on 85 (get on 158 in Oxford) or 501 (get on 158 in Roxboro). All of those will lead you toward Reidsville and the drive is great. If you want a quicker return trip, just get on 29 South in Reidsville which will take you to Greensboro or 87 South which will take you to Burlington, but both will take you to I-40 and you can come on back home.
This is farther than you want so I'm just throwing it out there for the heck of it. You can be in Bluefield, West Virginia in a little over three hours. You combine the fall colors with the Pokey route (Northfolk Southern's Pocohontas Division) and you can get some incredible shots. Another choice is the Lynchburg, Virginia area, beautiful as well and only about two and a half hours away. I suggested these only because if you head to the NC mountains you won't be able to swing a dead cat without hitting a leaf peeper. I've been doing day trips to these areas and you can get so lost in some of the most beautiful scenery that's around and never see another soul...
Great ideas...thanks.....like the idiom "be able to swing a dead cat"
I am not sure about the pokey route...would you please tell what route, like the freeway # ?
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