There’s something timeless about taking a drive through Metro Detroit in the fall. The air turns brisk, the trees glow in fiery shades of red and orange, and familiar roads feel entirely new again. In a region that combines lakes, woodlands, and historic towns, every turn reveals a postcard-worthy scene.
These scenic drives are more than just picturesque, they’re living stories of Michigan’s landscape and heritage. Many follow routes laid out in the early 20th century, connecting Detroit’s urban heart to the quiet countryside beyond. Today, they offer an escape from the rush of daily life and a reminder of why Metro Detroiters cherish their surroundings year-round.
Here are some of the most scenic drives to take, especially in autumn, when the trees put on their grandest display.
1. Woodward Avenue (M-1): From Detroit to Pontiac
Woodward Avenue isn’t just a road, it’s Michigan’s most historic thoroughfare. Stretching 27 miles from downtown Detroit through Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Pontiac, it’s lined with landmarks, local eateries, and a parade of trees that come alive in fall.
As you travel north, you’ll pass through dynamic downtowns and elegant residential corridors where maples and oaks create vibrant canopies. In Bloomfield Hills, the landscape opens to rolling hills and stately homes surrounded by color. If you’re looking for a drive that blends city life with scenic beauty, Woodward offers the best of both.
Fall highlight: Stop at Cranbrook House and Gardens in Bloomfield Hills to walk the grounds amid changing leaves.
2. Hines Drive: Dearborn to Northville
Hines Drive feels tailor-made for fall. Winding 17 miles through green corridors, this parkway follows the Rouge River past parks, footbridges, and historic mill sites. The entire route transforms into a golden tunnel in October.
Start in Dearborn and head west toward Northville, a charming downtown where coffee shops and boutiques await. This drive is a favorite among cyclists and families alike, with picnic spots and walking trails along nearly every mile.
Fall highlight: Visit the Mill Race Historical Village in Northville for a glimpse of 19th-century Michigan surrounded by fiery foliage.
3. Lahser Road and Lone Pine Road: Through Bloomfield Hills
For those who prefer winding, residential drives through some of Metro Detroit’s most beautiful neighborhoods, Lahser and Lone Pine roads deliver. This route weaves through Bloomfield Hills’ hilly terrain, past private estates, horse farms, and tree canopies that explode with autumn color.
It’s a slower, more intimate drive, perfect for a Sunday outing. The peaceful setting captures the essence of suburban Detroit’s charm: natural beauty paired with elegant architecture.
Fall highlight: Drive by Cranbrook’s tree-lined campus and stop at Johnson Nature Center for a tranquil walk among the trees.
4. Lake Shore Road / Jefferson Avenue: The Grosse Pointes to St. Clair Shores
If water views are your weakness, this is the drive for you. Running parallel to Lake St. Clair, Lake Shore Road (which becomes Jefferson Avenue) winds through the Grosse Pointes, offering glimpses of stately lakefront mansions, yacht clubs, and autumn-tinted trees reflected in the water.
In the fall, the combination of changing leaves and shimmering lake views makes for one of Metro Detroit’s most elegant and peaceful drives.
Fall highlight: Stop at Patterson Park in Grosse Pointe Park or The Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores to take in the full autumn palette.
5. Orchard Lake Road: West Bloomfield to Keego Harbor
This picturesque stretch of Orchard Lake Road offers a little bit of everything, lakeside views, winding curves, and glimpses of local life. The route skirts the edge of Orchard Lake and Cass Lake, with trees leaning over the road in vivid shades of yellow and orange.
West Bloomfield’s natural topography gives this drive a scenic rhythm, dips, bends, and waterfront turns that make it feel far removed from city life, even though you’re never too far from your next coffee stop.
Fall highlight: Pull over at Marshbank Park or Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary for panoramic lake views framed by autumn color.
6. Pontiac Trail: Novi to South Lyon and Beyond
For a longer, more rural adventure, Pontiac Trail offers a meandering route through western Oakland County. This road follows part of a historic Native American trail and now connects suburban communities with open countryside.
In fall, its gently rolling hills, farms, and wooded sections are bathed in gold. It’s the perfect road for a day trip, stop in downtown South Lyon for lunch and wander through its charming local shops before looping back toward Novi.
Fall highlight: The Lyon Oaks County Park area is especially scenic in late October.
7. Rochester Road: From Troy to Rochester Hills and the Paint Creek Trail
Rochester Road blends suburban vibrancy with small-town charm. Heading north, you’ll pass through Troy’s business corridors before entering Rochester Hills, where the pace slows and the trees take over.
The drive ends beautifully in downtown Rochester, a picture-perfect main street lined with boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. Just beyond lies the Paint Creek Trail, one of the area’s best places for a post-drive walk or bike ride through fall foliage.
Fall highlight: Don’t miss the Rochester Cider Mill for warm donuts and fresh-pressed cider after your drive.
8. Ann Arbor’s Huron River Drive
While just beyond the Metro Detroit core, Huron River Drive is one of Southeast Michigan’s most beloved scenic routes. Following the twists of the Huron River between Ann Arbor and Dexter, it offers breathtaking water views and overhanging trees that form a tunnel of color each fall.
Cyclists, joggers, and photographers flock here for good reason, it’s pure Michigan autumn, framed by natural beauty.
Fall highlight: Stop at Delhi Metropark or Dexter Cider Mill for classic fall experiences along the route.
9. Walnut Lake Road and Franklin Road: Franklin Village Loop
This hidden-gem drive meanders through one of Oakland County’s most charming historic villages. Begin in Franklin and follow the curve of Franklin and Walnut Lake roads through wooded hills, historic homes, and small-town architecture.
In fall, the canopy of old maples and oaks creates a fiery corridor that feels untouched by time. Franklin’s quaint downtown, complete with a cider mill, general store, and historic church, makes for the perfect midpoint stop.
Fall highlight: Visit Franklin Cider Mill for hot cider and warm donuts before continuing your drive.
10. Lake Orion to Oxford: Northern Oakland County Backroads
If you’re looking for a more rural experience, take the backroads between Lake Orion and Oxford. The route along Indianwood Road and Baldwin Road offers stunning views of lakes, horse farms, and woodlands, quintessential Michigan scenery.
These drives are quiet, peaceful, and particularly breathtaking as the colors peak. This stretch also gives a glimpse of the region’s emerging small towns, where independent restaurants and boutiques are growing amid historic streets.
Fall highlight: Bald Mountain Recreation Area offers incredible trails and overlooks surrounded by fall color.
Whether you’re after lake views, small-town charm, or wooded hills, Metro Detroit’s scenic drives reveal the region’s beauty in ways that go beyond the map. In autumn, when every road feels painted in gold, these drives become destinations in themselves, a reminder that sometimes the best adventures start right at home.
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