When considering vacations, most people think about beaches, cabins, lakes, fishing, and amusement parks. But, what if you planned your vacation in fall? What if you took advantage of the changing colors and chased them from the north to the south? 

You can look at the time of the year they color and plot out a trip that allows you to chase autumn from the northern or high country to the flatlands and south. Consider renting an RV and embracing apple festivals, scenic drives, sweater wearing, and apple butter along the way.

Late September to Early October 

Alaska

Vermont

Michigan 

Colorado

Connecticut

Idaho

Maine

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

New Hampshire

New York

Utah

Month of October

Arizona (high country)
California

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Massachusetts

New Jersey

Nebraska

New Mexico

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Washington
West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Mid October to Early November

Arkansas

Delaware

Illinois

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Mississippi

Nevada

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Early November

Florida 

Georgia

For example, if you start off in Maine in late September, as it turns to October, you might want to be in Massachusetts and rolling into Pennsyvlania by almost mid month and then on to Maryland in the latter half of the month, cruising through Virginia around Halloween and onward to the Carolinas, and Georgia just after Halloween. 

Likewise, in the Midwest, you might want to start in Michigan in late Sept, moving onto Kansas area some time in October and then heading down to Texas by mid month and then on to Louisiana at the end of October. 

If you do it in the tightest window, you can go north to south and see peak colors the whole way if you do it in six weeks, perhaps five and still be able to view peak colors. This is an ideal RV trek. 

Consider checking out the states for their fall festivals; apple festivals, pumpkin festivals, harvest festivals, scarecrow festivals, state fairs. Luckily, cities have events calendars. 

You ever wonder why leaves change? Basically, they stop making chlorophyll for the long winter. If you ever questioned intelligent design - this is a great example of why this didn't happen by accident. Otherwise, all plants would have died with wintertime and not come back. That dying off is essential to survive the winter. Heat and sunshine in springtime bring it all back to another cycle. 

If you think about it, it's like human life, cycling for the next generation to come into the sunlight and warmth.