Skip Lovers Lane: Discover Tennessee’s Top 3 Romantic Fall Drives, According to Survey

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — For many people, fall represents “cuffing season,” pushing couples to seek cozy escapes featuring blankets, warm drinks, and lingering conversations with the windows cracked open.

In the summertime, drives are all about speed and energy, but autumn invites couples to enjoy the stillness, the shifting light, and the season’s fleeting beauty.

According to a release from a public relations firm, Gunther Volkswagen Coconut Creek surveyed 3,005 couples to gauge their thoughts on the most romantic fall drives in Tennessee, based on past experiences. The top three are listed below:

1. Cades Cove Loop Road
   • Cades Cove Loop Road offers an 11-mile journey through meadows, forests, and history, surrounded by Smoky Mountain peaks. In the fall, the trees’ colorful foliage frames quiet valleys where deer and wild turkeys graze. Couples can also stop at preserved cabins and churches to enjoy a little trip through time surrounded by the park’s natural beauty.
2. Newfound Gap Road
   • A Great Smoky Mountains classic, Newfound Gap Road climbs from valley forests to high country, staging fall color in waves. Frequent pull-offs reveal sweeping views and layered blue ridgelines.
3. Ocoee Scenic Byway (US 64)
   • The byway follows the Ocoee River through Cherokee National Forest, combining the excitement of the whitewater with the beauty of the quiet woods. The rapids sparkle next to the colorful hillsides, while overlooks recall Cherokee history and Olympic glory.

If you want to see the full list of the most romantic routes to enjoy the fall foliage in other states, follow this link.