The Last Road Trip…of this Year, at Least

Welcome to fall, the ideal time to plan a road trip, autumn colors and all.

You could take a road trip later in the year, but why risk it? Fall has delightful weather; you still have a lot of options across the U.S. There’s an abundance of destinations to consider, in fact, and sometimes the SSCS Blog scopes them out for readers. Here’s our Fall 2026 edition, complete with c-stores of interest.

Adirondacks, New York

This is a mountain wilderness offering an outdoorsy experience dotted with villages, some of them hailing back to colonial times. If you like winding roads with stunning vistas, charming mountain lakes (including Lake Placid), and legendary autumn colors, this is the place to roll.

C-store of Note: Adirondack Corner Store. Locally owned c-store and deli offering prepared food, groceries, ice cream, and everyday road-trip supplies. Also within the town limits of Lake Placid.

San Juan Mountains, Colorado

A rugged locale with high-altitude mountains, a bit more stark than the Adirondacks, but not without its own kind of appeal. There’s wide open spaces, historic mining towns, white-capped alpine scenery, and the west’s own version of spectacular fall colors. A remote place for adventurous, wide-open drives.
C-store of Note: Downstream Gas & Mercantile. This Creed, Colorado operation is the only gas station between South Fork (about 20 miles away) and Lake City (just over 50 miles away), making it an indispensable stop with eye-catching architecture and an inventory that includes automotive supplies and travel items, local souvenirs, and books about the area.

New River Gorge, West Virginia

This area cuts through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, with a down-to-earth heritage and mining country charm. Deep river canyons, forested mountains, historic coal towns, and outdoor recreation are the attractions. And bridges, lots of bridges.
C-store of Note: Swiftwater General Store. This family-owned, two store chain does business out of what look like large comfy cabins with wrap-around porches stacked with firewood. Emphasizing local merchandise and souvenirs, Stillwell is renowned by locals and travelers alike for its impressive variety of full breakfasts, served all day.

SSCS provides c-store solutions for everyone from the independent roadside stops we’ve mentioned here to those aligned with some of the largest oil companies in the world. If you have questions about computerizing your store, give us a call at (800) 972-7727.</p<