"One of the best parts of living in the Midwest is that I get to experience the full breadth of the changing seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, springs are refreshing and rainy, summers are hot and sunny, and autumns (the best season of all IMO) are crisp and colorful. Every year, the shift from summer to fall feels especially tangible as the temperatures start to dip and the leaves change subtly from green to gold to crimson.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
Of course, the Midwest isn’t the only part of the country that gets to marvel at the changing leaves every fall. But where you live will determine when you can expect that change to hit its peak. Read on to find out the best times to see the leaves change in every part of the country so that you can plan your fall road trips, picnics, and hiking excursions accordingly.
When do the leaves change?
The changing of fall leaves generally happens between mid-September and early November each year. It typically starts in the northern parts of the U.S. and gradually moves southward. So you can expect the leaves to shift color in Texas much later than those in Minnesota, for example. Although it’s difficult to predict exactly when the leaves will hit their peak, weather patterns and info from previous years can give experts a pretty good guess. Here’s when to expect the leaves to hit their peak color around the country, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Northeast: Late September – Early October
If you live in northern New England, it’s possible that some leaves have already started changing colors, but you still have a few weeks before they really hit their peak. In places like upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, you’ll likely see the best fall leaves around the end of September or the first week of October. That means you still have time to book a leaf-peeping trip up north!
For states a little further down the coast (like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland), you’ve got a little more time: The colorful leaves will likely stick around through mid-October. By Halloween, however, most of the leaves will probably be past their peak, so get your fall foliage fix in earlier in the season.
Midwest: Throughout October
October is by far the best month to see fall leaves in the Midwest. While northern parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will look their best during the first half of October, the southernmost midwestern states (think: Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois) may not hit their peak until almost November. For the rest of the region (looking at you, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio), mid-to-late October is the sweet spot.
West: Late October
Throughout the western U.S., the best time to see the leaves change is generally during the second half of October. While northern states (like Montana and Washington) may hit their peak slightly earlier, the rest of the region likely won’t see the prettiest fall leaves until at least the third week of October. For areas along the Pacific Ocean, the tail end of October is when the real magic happens.
South: Early to Mid-November
The leaves in the South tend to take their sweet time changing colors, so you’ll likely have to wait until at least the start of November to see the best fall leaves in this region. For the states along the southern coast (like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida), it’ll take even longer. Don’t expect peak fall color to hit this year until almost Thanksgiving.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.