Places to travel from Chicago in the fall season

01 Aug-2024

Fall is a beautiful time for a road trip from Chicago — crisp air, changing leaves, and easy drives in every direction. Here are the best places to point the van when the colors turn.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The U.P. is a fall favorite — forests, waterfalls, and Lake Superior shoreline ablaze with color. A perfect long-weekend drive for a group.

Wisconsin and Minnesota

Head north for lake country, small towns, and rolling countryside at their autumn best. Both are easy, scenic drives from Chicago with plenty to see along the way.

The Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

For a bigger trip, the Great Smoky Mountains deliver some of the best fall foliage in the country — well worth the drive with the whole group aboard.

Why a van makes fall trips easy

One van keeps the group together for leaf-peeping and scenic drives, with room for everyone and the gear. Set your own route and stop wherever the view is best.

Go as far as you like

Because we’re Illinois-based, you can drive our vans anywhere across the USA and into Canada — chase the color as far as the season takes you, with just a regular license.

Which van should you pick?

For a comfortable fall road trip, the 15-passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter; for value, the 15-passenger Ford Transit. Browse the full fleet.