Kancamagus Highway

Scenic drive · New Hampshire

Autumn foliage at Kancamagus Highway
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

New Hampshire's Route 112 through the White Mountains is New England's benchmark foliage drive: 34.5 miles of maple, birch, and beech over Kancamagus Pass, with pullouts at Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge, and the Swift River.

Best for: the classic foliage drive

Don’t miss

  • Kancamagus Pass overlook
  • Sabbaday Falls
  • Albany covered bridge
2026 Forecast

Peak: October 9–October 13

Color builds from September 26 · mostly bare by November 1

Color starts: September 26Peak: October 11Bare: November 1AugustDecember

Sampled at Kancamagus Highway’s own coordinates and elevation (587 m) rather than a regional average.

This window comes from 4 weather points across New Hampshire, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from almanac.com. This year's weather has the peak running 2 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works

When to go to Kancamagus Highway

Good color holds through about October 20, giving you roughly 24 days from the first turn to past peak. Against New Hampshire overall, that is 3 days earlier. Most of that is elevation. It sits at 1,926 ft.

Figure about 117 mi from Boston.

Kancamagus Highway on the map

Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of New Hampshire, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.

More things to do in New Hampshire

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Plan from a city

Frequently asked

When does Kancamagus Highway peak in 2026?
Peak color is predicted for October 9–October 13 (best estimate October 11). Color starts around September 26 and is mostly bare by November 1.
How do I get to Kancamagus Highway?
The closest city is Boston, about 117 mi away. It's part of New Hampshire's fall lineup.

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