Road Trip - Kancamagus Highway
- Brick + Tides
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
For southern Maine residents, the start of fall brings one question: where’s the best place to catch the first bursts of foliage without spending an entire day on the road? The answer lies just a couple of hours away on New Hampshire’s famed Kancamagus Highway, where two overlooks—the CL Graham Wangan Overlook and the Pemigewasset Overlook—offer sweeping, unforgettable views.
This week, I had the chance to fly the drone over both spots, and the foliage is just starting to ignite. Reds and oranges are creeping into the green hillsides, hinting at the spectacular peak season that’s about to arrive. Even now, the patchwork of color across the White Mountains is enough to stop you in your tracks.
Why Southern Maine Travelers Love the Kancamagus Highway
For Mainers living in York, Biddeford, Portland, or anywhere along the southern coast, the Kancamagus Highway is an ideal road trip. In under three hours, you can be trading ocean breezes for mountain air. The drive itself—Route 112, known simply as “the Kanc”—is a 34-mile stretch between Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. Every twist and turn reveals new vistas, waterfalls, and trailheads.
Unlike some long-haul foliage trips, the Kanc offers instant gratification. The overlooks are accessible right off the road, meaning you don’t need to lace up hiking boots to experience jaw-dropping scenery. For families, couples, or solo explorers, it’s the kind of trip that feels adventurous but approachable—a fall tradition you can fit into a single day.
The Overlooks
CL Graham Wangan Overlook sits high above the valley, offering a dramatic panorama of layered ridgelines. From above, the drone captured the sweep of mountains stretching into the distance, their slopes dotted with early reds and yellows. It’s the kind of view that makes you feel small in the best possible way—nature putting on a show just for you.
Just a bit farther along the highway, Pemigewasset Overlook provides a different perspective, with the rolling foothills of the Pemi Valley spreading out like a painted canvas. The drone’s vantage point emphasized the depth of the valley and the way the colors ripple outward, blending into the horizon. Whether you’re standing at the railing or hovering 200 feet above, it’s a scene that belongs on a postcard.
The Best Time to Go
Foliage in New England is famously fleeting, and timing is everything. Right now, in late September, the change has just begun. Within the next two weeks, the mountains will burst into their full spectrum of fiery reds, bright oranges, and golden yellows. Southern Maine residents are perfectly positioned to make multiple trips—catching the early blush now, then returning in early October for the grand finale.
A Road Trip to Remember
There’s something deeply satisfying about packing a thermos of coffee, hopping in the car, and heading west toward the mountains. The Kancamagus delivers not only on views but on the feeling of discovery—of leaving the familiar behind and being rewarded with something spectacular. For anyone in southern Maine looking for an accessible escape into the season’s magic, CL Graham Wangan Overlook and Pemigewasset Overlook should be at the top of your list.
So grab your camera, queue up your fall playlist, and hit the road. The colors are waiting.
