If your commute across town has taken a little longer than expected this week, you are already aware.
But for those who may not have experienced the annual fall slowdown on Highlands’ area roads – It’s officially leaf season.
While driving around the mountains of Western North Carolina taking in the immaculate scenery is a fun way to spend an afternoon. The influx of tourists who make a weekend out of seeing the fall colors can cause its share of problems as well.
Here are some tips for enjoying the autumn color change while creating as little havoc as possible:
• Pick your route accordingly – If you are a driver who likes to take is slow and really get the most out of the fall foliage viewing, try to choose a route that doesn’t include the main arteries bringing traffic into and out of town. NC106, US64, NC28 are all major roadways that residents and commuters rely on to get to and from work every day, so driving 15 miles per hour under the speed limit to see the leaves is best served for other less-used roads.
• Timing is everything – Meandering through the fall colors is vastly easier if you aren’t being tailgated by 20-plus vehicles trying to get to or from the office or job site. Avoiding peak times for traffic, such as 7–8 a.m. and 3:30–5:30 p.m. is for the best.
• Plan for weekend crowds – Some of Highlands’ most beautiful leaf season sites are also the most popular. Whether you want to stop to admire the color change from Blue Valley Overlook, Sunset Rock, Whiteside Mountain, or Dry Falls, it’s important to remember that others will want to see the same, especially Friday-Sunday. Be courteous, take your turn, see the sights (take a selfie), and move on.
With the peak of the leaf season color change being estimated to take place around Oct. 18, the next few weeks are going to be hectic on Highlands’ roadways. Let’s all be polite and accommodating, use our turn signals, and enjoy all that nature has to offer without causing headaches for fellow motorists.