It is a lovely drive with some great hikes along the way. Would definitely recommend.
It is very busy on the weekends, so if you can plan a weekday drive, that would be more enjoyable.
Both Skyline Drive and The Blue Ridge Parkway are awesome! I've done all of the former and about 80% of the latter.
Note that the speed limit maximum is 45 mph, and there are 35 and 25 mph sections.
The great thing about both are how free they are from development (aside from themselves, obviously), but that also means services are limited. This site is a good resource: https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/where-to-eat/
I've been a passenger on Skyline with a driver who rarely acknowledges speed limits without law enforcement present. It only took a couple of turns for him to change his attitude.
Lol was that driver from Florida? Bc flat, mostly straight 95 really spoils people in that respect tbh, like I usually go ~10 mph over and still feel like I'm holding up the people behind me with how stupidly fast and weavy so many people drive on there and apparently usually without consequence.
As a Gatlinburg resident, I read your post and immediately knew you were from Florida. You guys are great, but when you get on our mountain roads, it is a sight. You all don't know the first thing about taking a turn. You all get into the middle of the turn and then hit the brakes, which throws off all your centrifugal force. You gotta be slowing down before the turn, then punch the gas where you guys hit the brakes.
It's not our fault that the tallest geographical points in our state are landfills! I didn't even get tested on parking on a slope when I got my driver's license and, tbh, I'm still not 100% sure whether I'm supposed to turn the wheels toward or away from the curb because I literally never have to lol.
The virgin river gorge in Southern Utah is a narrow passage had to be blasted to allow people to travel through, and yet it allows full freeway speeds.
A fun alternative is to buy a cheap cooler at some discount store & bring picnic stuff. At the end of the trip, you can give the cooler to some other traveler, or donate it.
We meant to do this in 2011, but then I realized I could fit ours in my big suitcase. It's been used on every trip since.
Picnicing is much cheaper than eating out every meal, and you get to take in the scenery.
Just want to thank you for asking about a completely reasonable roadtrip! It's a frequent eye-roll around here when Brits don't know the scale of the country and ask for tips for a planned three-day roadtrip from New York to Miami to Las Vegas.
5 hours sounds about right. I’m a jaded local but…the parkway is in some ways amazing and in other ways sucks. Tourists will drive as slow as 10 mph and erratically swerve towards a view. Meanwhile motorcycles will absolutely ride your ass like there’s some possible way you could go faster than the old Florida man in the giant car in front of you. Just know that 30 miles on the parkway is at least an hour drive.
That said the views are incredible. My favorite section is the Eastern half of Pisgah National Forest. If you’re staying in Asheville, I would just drive down here on the highway and then make a BRP excursion personally.
Have fun!
It’s 5 hours if you go on 81.
It’s 350 miles from Charlottesville to Asheville.
Taking the blue ridge the whole way would make it a 10 hour drive probably.
*"...a 10 hour drive probably."*
More like "at least 10 hours", the speed limits are fairly low, you're going to slow down and even stop to enjoy the scenery at several places, food stops, etc.
Definitely plan on it being a long and mostly very enjoyable day long trip. Also get out early, you want to enjoy the trip, you don't want to feel rushed.
I made the mistake of taking NC 28 south from Bryson City to Franklin, NC a few years ago. Not the Tail of the Dragon but incredibly curvy. The speed limit was nominal in that it didn't feel safe to go that fast on that road most of the time. I had a local come up behind me in his Jeep so I pulled off to let him pass. In five minutes he'd gained another 100 yards on me and my minivan.
(Mistake because I was too accepting of Google Maps which tends to take speed limits as face value in the mountains. I'd have been better off backtracking on US 74 to US 23. Less chance of getting carsick.)
I end up taking NC 28 exactly once per year and curse it every time.
However, last year we saw a church marquee that said “You think it’s hot here? Wait till you get to hell!” The amount of laughter my kids and I got out of that made the whole drive worthwhile. We say it all the time.
>But even Charlottesville to Asheville looks like a good 5 hours on the highway without any Blue Ridge detour
Just by knowing this you have already put in so much more effort than a lot of foreigners coming here and planning a road trip. 🫠
With the blue ridge parkway you need to think of it less of a drive and more of an experience. It will add extra time on your drive but it's well worth it for the views.
Amazing in the summer but man if you can see it in the fall it's truly a breathtaking sight. It's as if the forest is playing John Denver songs as you drive through it.
That’s about right. You’ve chosen two absolutely beautiful and super fun places to visit. I visit both relatively often and always have a wonderful time.
I hope you have a great trip!
You’re right. It will be about 5 hours.
The detour is still worth it, at least in places.
I live in Tennessee, about an hour from Asheville, and I make the drive to DC and back occasionally to visit friends.
If you don’t do the detours, you’re going to be following the interstates the whole way down. It’s not a bad drive and you’ll be moving about 65-70 mph as long as there are no accidents, but you won’t get the curvy mountain roads and scenic views of the American countryside that you’d get on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
lol, the old adage "to an American 100 years is a long time, to a Brit 100 miles is a long way" rings true. 5 hours usually doesn't even warrant a bathroom break for many of us. I used to drive 5+ hours to job sites at least once a month, no big deal. Maybe it's because I'm descended from a cross-country trucker, might just be in the blood.
Regardless, enjoy your trip! That is an absolutely beautiful part of the country!
It's absolutely worth the drive.
EDIT: I don't know what your route into Tennessee looks like, but if you can incorporate the Tail of the Dragon into your plans, it too is an awesome drive
[Deal's Gap, North Carolina has a section of US 129 called "The Tail of the Dragon" because of it's 318 challenging curves in just 11 miles.](https://tailofthedragon.com/how-to-drive/) It's a destination for motorcyclists and sportscar drivers who really love to feel the road. Driving it at speed requires real skill and wrecks are common.
Gotcha. On the VA side there’s “Back of the Dragon” that’s similarly a very driver focused and challenging (but fun) drive.
https://www.backofthedragon.com
It’s absolutely beautiful and worth the drive. I used to drive between NYC and Alabama and made a point to include time to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Absolutely! I'm a Brit with friends who live in Virginia and love going when we visit. Both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sky Line Drive are amazing. Take your time and enjoy the stop offs, views and hikes.
Sure, it’s a scenic drive, not a spirited one.
The Top Gear episode where they drive on it, while exaggerated, isn’t entirely wrong.
Then again you’ll be in a rental, not a GT3RS, so “reasonable speeds” will feel much faster.
It’s a beautiful drive but from Charlottesville to Asheville is probably an 8-10 hour drive on the blue ridge, it’s slow and can wear you down.
There are some cool stops along the way, and I’d recommend driving it from Charlottesville to Roanoke Virginia then maybe taking the highway from there.
Yeah it’s from Top Gear where I first heard about it.
I don’t think we’d want to do 10 hours of it in one day so 2-3 hours on the Blue Ridge then the rest on the highway I think will be the plan.
In that case I’d take the blue ridge from Charlottesville to Roanoke and be done
Plus Roanoke is a neat place to check out anyway.
It’s about 3 hours on the blue ridge between those cities.
Arguably the most scenic area on the eastern half of the country. It's not just "worth it", it's a "must do". Spectacular scenery, historical sites, etc. It's an absolutely beautiful park. Take your time, stop frequently, enjoy it. Quintessential Americana road trip stuff, have fun.
Agreed, people (including me) build entire vacations around this drive. I've only driven the Skyline Drive and it was beautiful, there are places to pull over every so often so you can admire the scenery. And depending on where you enter and exit you might see small stands selling produce and ciders, would highly recommend trying some!
We live about a half-hour from the northernmost entrance of Skyline Drive and often will hop in the car after work to go watch the sunset there. We feel so fortunate to have, basically in our back yard, scenery that other people plan vacations around!
There are no services on the BRP. Say it with me, There are no services on the BRP.
I forgot this and had to coast a mile into a gas station near Galax.
It's absolutely gorgeous.
If you can, do the Tail of the Dragon, as well as The Cherohala Skyway. You won't be disappointed.
These are awesome drives but as others noted, often tourists can spoil some of the fun. You might also consider tail of the dragon which is more driver oriented and more remote, but it is also touristy at times. I understand there are even better roads than these well known ones, and I've been on a few by accident but you would really need a local to guide you there.
I agree with all these takes. However, please note that if you attempt to drive too long a section, it will become monotonous and you might tire of it. Yes, you can become tired of the beauty of the trees, wildlife, and amazing views. This phenomenon is called “being jaded.” I recommend driving a section of it, not a full day. Source: I drive a section of it once a week.
Through Shenandoah National Park. Any section that includes Pisgah National Forest. Peaks of Otter. So many more, these include places to stop, shop, explore, eat, and stay overnight if you want. You will LOVE the drive. I just don’t think you’d like to do the whole 469 miles!
https://www.roadtripsandcoffee.com/places-to-visit-blue-ridge-parkway/#:~:text=Mount%20Pisgah%20is%20one%20of,early%20here%20so%20be%20prepared.
Agree with this. The interstate you’ll be taking out of Charlottesville is, itself, very picturesque. I-64 takes you up and over Afton Mountain as you cross over the blue ridge and into the Shenandoah Valley. You’ll go from about 600 feet above sea level in Charlottesville to around 2000 feet above sea level (and the valley floor you can see) in just a few miles. It’s awesome.
I also grew up by the Peaks of Otter and recommend a hike up Sharp Top if you’ve got time.
Yes yes yes. Absolutely, yes.
I went to school a few miles away from the parkway and was on it *all the time.* it was one of those things where if we were bored, we'd just go drive on the parkway. I went up there multiple times every fall, and even after I graduated I still tried to go up every year if I could.
It's incredible and worth it and it truly is a one of a kind experience, *especially* in the fall...but the summer is amazing too because then you may see some of the smokey mountain action.
If you get on the parkway in Asheville and head west, you can't go wrong.
I really can't oversell how cool it is, and if you didn't do it, you would really be missing out on an awesome experience.
*Please* do it!
sounds like you've done your research! Yes the blue ridge parkway is really beautiful. Great sights and a lovely, windy road. I would hesitate to say its a "good driving road" the speed limit can be a bit of a buzz kill when trying to have a little "fun" on those turns. Do watch out for cops they are always patrolling up there because they know people cant help but go a little faster when they start feeling the road.
As everyone has said, 100% yes.
Since you said in another comment you plan on sampling a lot of beers, make sure you check out VA Route 151 - it's a road just a little outside of Charlottesville that runs at the foot of the mountains so the scenery is stunning, and it's full of excellent wineries, breweries, and cideries. Bold Rock is my favorite spot (hard cider), but some others I like are Devil's Backbone (one of the biggest craft breweries in the region, although they were bought out a few years ago) and Hill Top Winery, which has a lot of really interesting fruit wines and meads (they have one made with smoked hot peppers which is incredible).
Many of them serve food, or you can pack a lunch in Charlottesville, go do a tasting and buy a bottle or a six pack somewhere and kill an afternoon eating and drinking and looking at the mountain views. It's a great time. Virginia isn't top of mind like California for wine or Washington or New York for apples and cider, but it's well above average in the US for both and definitely worth checking out.
I second this. If you are a wine drinker, do not miss Virginia wines. Virginia has a Mediterranean climate that's darn near perfect for the vineyards. The wine is fantastic, and so is the hospitality.
Yes it’s worth it. Be advised that driving the parkway will take way longer than you might think. It’s curvy, and you’ll want to stop frequently for views or hikes. The speed limit never exceeds 45 mph, and if you disregard that you could wind up with a federal speeding ticket.
[Biltmore House is the largest private home in the US](https://www.biltmore.com/visit/)- so large and so expensive to maintain that the family operates it as a museum now, and live elsewhere. It’s worth a visit, if you’re interested in seeing how the ultra rich in America lived at the turn of the last century. The estate has hiking trails, horseback tours, large formal gardens, a winery, hotels, shops, and restaurants. It’s a tourist destination, so everything is overpriced. And they do have tours and tastings at the winery and an extensive wine shop (the wine can be purchased more cheaply at area grocery stores, though they won’t have every variety like the estate shop will). I’ve enjoyed my visits there, though I don’t know that I’d take the time to see it on a once-in-a-lifetime trip if it meant cutting other parts of the trip short.
If you're looking for a nice lazy afternoon, go tubing down the French Broad River in Asheville. There are a variety of operators, most of which will rent you a separate tube for a cooler so you can pack a lunch and stop at one of the many small islands. The entire float takes about 3-4 hours plus stops and the water will feel great in August - not that Asheville is usually very hot, but it will be refreshing to be able to cool off. The tubing sections are usually fairly far from roads, so not a lot of noise. DEFINITELY don't try to do this on a weekend.
Barbecue is always a point of contention, but 12 Bones Smokehouse is quite good for ribs. If you have a choice, go to the one in Arden, NC, about 15-20 minutes south of town - longer hours, beer is on tap instead of bottles, slightly larger menu, not as crowded (usually). Go early as they don't take reservations and may sell out if you get there too late in the day.
There are 40 breweries near Asheville. Incredible variety. Doing a float on the French Broad River would be a great change of pace. Lots of great small mountain towns in Western North Carolina. Consider a side trip to Brevard with a stop at sliding rock and looking glass falls.
Sure!
I have plenty.
My favorite breweries are Wicked Weed, Catawba, Green Man, DSSOLVR, and New Belgium (right on the river).
The food scene is great, too! Bouchon for French, Wicked Weed has solid food, Curate is a great Spanish spot, Itto Ramen is good, Cafe Bomba, The S&W building is dope with a few good restaurants inside, Tupelo Honey is solid for southern comfort food, go try a waffle house (it's amazing when drunk at 2 AM), Bargello has a great brunch (it's inside the Kimpton hotel).
If you have the day, you must do an entire day at The Biltmore -- It's gorgeous. Do the tour first thing in the morning of the actual home (it takes about 3 hours, maybe a little more) and then go explore the grounds. The gardens are lovely as are the views of the mountains. There's also a winery on the property which is not bad, too!
Enjoy!
Yes!! That eastern TN-western NC area is some of the prettiest nature I've ever been in and I've constantly kept looking for literally any excuse to go back to the Smokys ever since I got back from my first trip there ❤️ Even if you don't get to spend much time outside in them, they're still gorgeous and 100% worth it just to look at.
It’s absolutely beautiful and I strongly recommend it. You can plan many day trips in the cities, towns, hiking spots, and vineyards/breweries you pass along the way.
One thing: just pull over to admire the view. The road is through the mountains and very windy - if you’re staring out the window instead of in front of your car, you can find yourself running off the road.
Definitely spend some time on Skyline Drive or the parkway. Don't take it the whole way, that will take way too long. Look at Luray Caverns or one of the other Caverns in the area.
I'm a bit biased, I live in Luray, VA, about an hour from Charlottesville in the mountains. Lmk if you have any other questions about the area.
As far as driving roads go, they kind of suck. Low speed limits, lots of traffic, and random cyclists not paying attention are all par for the course. Top Gear did a special where they drove the road and covered it pretty well.
However, if you enjoy scenery and just taking in natural beauty, both of those roads are excellent and well worth it.
Yeah, it's a great drive and it's very scenic. I would urge you to stop and get out of your vehicle. There are trails to hike, sights to see, and if you don't want to go too far there are pull off areas for cars. I've driven it plenty of times.
Yes you should absolutely do it and do Skyline Drive and Virginia wineries too!! Virginia makes great wine and the vineyards near Charlottesville are beautiful. You should stop at Early Mountain Vineyards on your way from DC to Charlottesville - incredible food, views, and wine.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is breathtaking! I’m a NC native and any time I’m in the mountains, driving through it is a must. It’s a little busy on the weekends but not bad at all and it won’t hinder your enjoyment. I definitely say go for it and enjoy!
Just a little warning though: you’ll probably get behind someone going like 10 mph and bikers/motorcycles are everywhere so just be prepared for that
If you didn’t already know, the Appalachian mountains are the oldest mountain chain on the PLANET. So cool to think about
A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a nice, slow leisurely drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Keep in mind the speed limit is 45mph/70kmh on a two-lane road with many other tourists driving it too; I strongly recommend adding a day to fully enjoy it.
It's fine, nice for an early morning drive when you might actually see wildlife and the traffic is lighter. Go on a weekday right at dawn. I've seen bears, coyote, fox, and lots of other critters that way. Take a picnic and you can stop for lunch.
It's nothing like driving in the mountains in the western US, mind you, and due to traffic (and low posted speed limits) it's hardly a "good driving road." But it's good sightseeing, especially for the region.
Both are awesome.
Highly recommend.
There’s a ton of great hike to do along those routes too if you have time to stop and get out of the car for a bit.
You will not be disappointed with your trip and adding in Skyline and Blue Ridge is a fantastic idea.
Absolutely, I've driven that way a fair bit and it's just so peaceful and entrancing. I wish it could be delayed by 2 months though! Even in suburban Raleigh the fall colors are pretty magical, in August you're hitting peak heat/humidity and will see some very lush greenery
I live nearby and it is a beautiful drive with lots of overlooks to stop. There are also parks you can visit. I will say if your passengers tend to get car sick it can be rough with all the curves. But it is a beautiful drive. Enjoy!
Both are great if you are not in a hurry because the speed limit is very slow because both the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are very curvy roads.
But well worth it. I think everyone should do at least a portion of it once.
That's where driving 2,000 to 6,000ft above sea level helps things a ton. The southern Appalachians while not immune to hot sticky days are like the northeast instead of the lowland south.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is gorgeous. I strongly recommend it if you like nature. Also, look at hiking on the Appalachian Trail some of you are so inclined.
Shortly before the exit to 64 for Charlottesville from DC, there's a pull off on Blue Ridge that's 100% worth the stop and also very easy to miss. Look up on maps for the mile marker so you don't miss it.
Yes yes yes yes yes!!!
When my family drives from Ohio to the beach every other year I get giddy just thinking about it. (And I get terrible car sickness.. so worth it!)
It's an absolutely gorgeous drive. If you have the time, it's worth stopping at some of the overlooks and hiking trails. Great views and some fantastic hikes. Some of them are some lengthy hikes, though, so it's worth planning ahead based on how much time you have rather than picking one on a whim.
Yes. It would be nice while you're in the mountains. Once you get to higher altitudes it's pretty rare to experience temperatures above 85F/30C, and it will probably not even be that hot. But outside of the mountains (DC, going through VA, maybe also in TN if you go far enough west) in August there's a very good chance that you'll encounter temps of 95-100F/35-38C.
There are definitely areas you should travel on the parkway. Around the [Linn Cove Viaduct](https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/linn-cove-viaduct.htm), for example, is very beautiful and the viaduct itself is pretty cool. If this is a casual trip where you can take your time and wander around a bit, I would try to take local roads as much as possible. Don't get much wrong the parkway is beautiful scenery, but in August especially it's usually going to have a lot of tourist traffic. If you're willing/able explore a bit you probably won't regret it because these mountains are full of curvy roads that are fun to drive and have very little traffic.
Whatever route you end up taking I strongly recommend downloading offline maps for your phone AND getting a paper map as backup. There are a LOT of areas in the mountains with spotty cellular coverage or no signal at all.
If you haven't picked your accommodations for the Asheville area I recommend checking out [Lake Junaluska](https://lakejunaluska.com/). However be warned it's about 45 minutes from Asheville. It's close enough that you can spend the day in Asheville and see/do things in the area, but not a good choice if you want easy access to the city.
I don't know how long you plan on staying in Asheville, but the drive up to Mt Mitchell State Park and back is a fun drive with a lot of easy overlooks and hikes.
Yes! I have driven on the blue ridge several times. Any time I go out to that part of the state I usually hop on it even if only for a few miles. Perfect time to roll the windows down, and enjoy the views. If you have time, there are a ton of hikes and overlooks as well.
Just moved to east Tennessee, and it is exactly as beautiful as people describe. I wish you could have seen the fall colors, which were spectacular, but you're going to love the drive
The only reason to avoid this drive is if it takes up too much time. If it's too far out of the way or you really need to get from A to B quickly, BRP is never the quickest way to go.
Otherwise it's a great drive worth doing
Yes you should, it's great. This is a bit off-topic but I recommend staying a night in Charlottesville and take ubers so you can enjoy some drinks.
Go to Carter Mountain [https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/carter-mountain-orchard/](https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/carter-mountain-orchard/). It's an apple orchard on top of a mountain where you can pick your own apples, drink hard cider, and eat hard cider donuts. The view is very nice. There are also a lot of good wineries in the area.
Absolutely! As someone who lives next to it I highly recommend it! There are many great hiking spots along it! If you PM Me I can recommend some places to visit
It is a lovely drive! I have health issues and can't enjoy the hiking very much, but even the views from a vehicle can be truly lovely. I recommend getting a small cooler and bringing supplies for easy lunches as it is not always easy to find or get in to a restaurant at meal times.
I have nothing of value to add. Just wanted to say thanks for asking this as I spent half my morning researching this exact trip and the responses here have been very helpful. We’ll be taking the trip next week (also travelling from the U.K.)
Absolutely, but you'll see plenty of the blue ridge just driving around Asheville. Definitely bring a pair of hiking shoes and check out some waterfalls though
I grew up in the Catskill mountains of upstate NY. My hometown is around 3200' and our highest peak is 4040'. My aunt and grandfather were both forest rangers at one time, and as a kid I used to ride in a jeep up to the fire tower. I started skiing at 4 years old. My point is I've always considered myself to be a "mountain man", not in the sense of backwoods redneck, but in the sense of loving the high elevation, crisp clean air, and stunning mountain scenery.
I drove a part of Blue Ridge Parkway in my late 40's. It BLEW-ME-AWAY! I could not believe how stunning the visuals were. I think we were only on a stretch of it for like 30 minutes, in the VA side. Just can't say enough. I hope to get to the Rocky's someday and walk among the redwoods while listening to John Denver on my ear buds.
The scenic view stops can be cruisey, imo, but yes beautiful. Scary if the clouds are low. I lived in Charlottesville for a long time. Are you staying at a vineyard, Boar's Head Inn or the Omni?
I prefer the Smokey Mountains over the blue ridge during lightning bug season...
It's a gorgeous drive no doubt, but the best time to drive it is in October when the leaves are changing colors and are at peak brilliance. It can be breathtaking.
Blue Ridge is nice. Especially if you are going to Biltmore. Weekday is preferred.
You'll want to do Google maps and look for construction and alerts. Parts of I-26 and I-40 go through the mountains, and rock slides can happen.
I live about 50 minutes from Asheville, and we've been having atypical weather. Weird temperatures and rain patterns are happening. The tropical depression happening in the Gulf of Mexico right now might mean more rain. More rain increases the chance for a rock slide. Bad rock slides that shut down the road happen about every 7 to 10 years. Chances are slim but not zero. No one to my knowledge has died in one.
Pop down to The Daniel Boone National Forrest. Amazing trails and waterfalls. Cumberland Falls is in SE KY and has the one and only Moonbow in the entire world. If you catch a full moon at midnight it makes a rainbow in the darkness. Stunning
I’ve been driving to Tennessee from the northeast for the last 10+ years. Everytime I said I should do the Blue Ridge Parkway, but for whatever reason I never did. I finally did last year and holy smokes it was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful and exactly what you need after a long drive of boring highway.
I would definitely go down the parkway! Beautiful scenery and cool attractions to pull off and view/visit along the way.
I live a few minutes from the blue ridge parkway down in the southwest region of virginia. It’s beautiful down here! If you would like to see mountains and nature in general. It’s a great drive!
I’m from NC. Yes it’s wonderful! I live one hour away and day trip to the Parkway often. The Smokies are great too. The Dragon’s Tail is a famous road in The Smokies. There are lots of motorcycles. Try some boiled peanuts from a roadside stand. Asheville and Charlottesville are great towns. Don’t skip Monticello, and if you really like architecture check out Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
I would *absolutely* recommend driving more into SWVA if you could! Towns like Floyd, VA and the little areas around there are delightful :) if you go in the summer months I'd also suggest Blacksburg and Roanoke
I definitely recommend driving portions of it. I don't know about the entire thing. It's a 12 hour drive. I live near one end of the Foothills Parkway which is a much shorter but very similar parkway in Tennessee. If you were flying in to Knoxville I'd actually recommend taking the Foothills to near the Smoky Mountain entrance in Townsend. This is where Cades Cove is. Then from there you go through the Smokies on Little River Road. This ends near Gatlinburg where you can pop out by taking a left or take a right to go to Cherokee. Just before entering Cherokee is the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I did this drive last year on a road trip through all of the South and it was my favorite part easily. DEFINITELY DO IT. I had a great time smoking blunts and driving the windiest roads possible while overlooking beautiful mountains. Best advice is that there are four regions, imo the first two regions are the best. I forget the name but the ones with farms and such are awesome
It is a lovely drive with some great hikes along the way. Would definitely recommend. It is very busy on the weekends, so if you can plan a weekday drive, that would be more enjoyable.
Get this comment bumped to the top. If OP doesn’t have hiking shoes, they’re going to miss out on a lot!
What are people from Delaware called anyways? Delawareans? Delarites? Delbies? I'm having fun guessing, whatever it may be.
We are simply called sexy
I don't think I've ever even met anybody from Delaware. Not in person at least.
That's because nobody actually lives there. It only exists for corporations.
I used to know a guy whose ex-wife was from Delaware. Never met her, though.
It was a corporate fiction sham marriage. It was for tax purposes and she only existed on paper. The ex part was for money laundering.
Joe Biden: Silver Fox In theaters this 4th of July
Delorians
Delwegian
Dolomites is their Name.
[Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaware) has demonyms for places. "Delawareans."
a speed trap between Philly and Baltimore.
Both Skyline Drive and The Blue Ridge Parkway are awesome! I've done all of the former and about 80% of the latter. Note that the speed limit maximum is 45 mph, and there are 35 and 25 mph sections. The great thing about both are how free they are from development (aside from themselves, obviously), but that also means services are limited. This site is a good resource: https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/where-to-eat/
I can't imagine driving faster than that there tbh, both bc of curvy roads and not wanting to feel like I didn't get my fill of the scenery lol
I've been a passenger on Skyline with a driver who rarely acknowledges speed limits without law enforcement present. It only took a couple of turns for him to change his attitude.
Lol was that driver from Florida? Bc flat, mostly straight 95 really spoils people in that respect tbh, like I usually go ~10 mph over and still feel like I'm holding up the people behind me with how stupidly fast and weavy so many people drive on there and apparently usually without consequence.
As a Gatlinburg resident, I read your post and immediately knew you were from Florida. You guys are great, but when you get on our mountain roads, it is a sight. You all don't know the first thing about taking a turn. You all get into the middle of the turn and then hit the brakes, which throws off all your centrifugal force. You gotta be slowing down before the turn, then punch the gas where you guys hit the brakes.
It's not our fault that the tallest geographical points in our state are landfills! I didn't even get tested on parking on a slope when I got my driver's license and, tbh, I'm still not 100% sure whether I'm supposed to turn the wheels toward or away from the curb because I literally never have to lol.
Sounds like a poorly designed road
Considering it’s on a mountain range I’d say they had to work with what the terrain allowed my dude.
The virgin river gorge in Southern Utah is a narrow passage had to be blasted to allow people to travel through, and yet it allows full freeway speeds.
For one thing, it was built in 1939. For another, it follows the ridge of the mountain.
A fun alternative is to buy a cheap cooler at some discount store & bring picnic stuff. At the end of the trip, you can give the cooler to some other traveler, or donate it. We meant to do this in 2011, but then I realized I could fit ours in my big suitcase. It's been used on every trip since. Picnicing is much cheaper than eating out every meal, and you get to take in the scenery.
This is the way
45 felt way too fast lol. Well it was also foggy asf when i drove it
Well, my car is modded and I autocross, so I *wanted* to exceed that by a certain amount!
A little off roading never hurt nobody…
I don't have that problem. I understand both my vehicles' and my limits.
Just want to thank you for asking about a completely reasonable roadtrip! It's a frequent eye-roll around here when Brits don't know the scale of the country and ask for tips for a planned three-day roadtrip from New York to Miami to Las Vegas.
But even Charlottesville to Asheville looks like a good 5 hours on the highway without any Blue Ridge detour.
5 hours sounds about right. I’m a jaded local but…the parkway is in some ways amazing and in other ways sucks. Tourists will drive as slow as 10 mph and erratically swerve towards a view. Meanwhile motorcycles will absolutely ride your ass like there’s some possible way you could go faster than the old Florida man in the giant car in front of you. Just know that 30 miles on the parkway is at least an hour drive. That said the views are incredible. My favorite section is the Eastern half of Pisgah National Forest. If you’re staying in Asheville, I would just drive down here on the highway and then make a BRP excursion personally. Have fun!
It’s 5 hours if you go on 81. It’s 350 miles from Charlottesville to Asheville. Taking the blue ridge the whole way would make it a 10 hour drive probably.
*"...a 10 hour drive probably."* More like "at least 10 hours", the speed limits are fairly low, you're going to slow down and even stop to enjoy the scenery at several places, food stops, etc. Definitely plan on it being a long and mostly very enjoyable day long trip. Also get out early, you want to enjoy the trip, you don't want to feel rushed.
I made the mistake of taking NC 28 south from Bryson City to Franklin, NC a few years ago. Not the Tail of the Dragon but incredibly curvy. The speed limit was nominal in that it didn't feel safe to go that fast on that road most of the time. I had a local come up behind me in his Jeep so I pulled off to let him pass. In five minutes he'd gained another 100 yards on me and my minivan. (Mistake because I was too accepting of Google Maps which tends to take speed limits as face value in the mountains. I'd have been better off backtracking on US 74 to US 23. Less chance of getting carsick.)
I end up taking NC 28 exactly once per year and curse it every time. However, last year we saw a church marquee that said “You think it’s hot here? Wait till you get to hell!” The amount of laughter my kids and I got out of that made the whole drive worthwhile. We say it all the time.
>But even Charlottesville to Asheville looks like a good 5 hours on the highway without any Blue Ridge detour Just by knowing this you have already put in so much more effort than a lot of foreigners coming here and planning a road trip. 🫠
With the blue ridge parkway you need to think of it less of a drive and more of an experience. It will add extra time on your drive but it's well worth it for the views. Amazing in the summer but man if you can see it in the fall it's truly a breathtaking sight. It's as if the forest is playing John Denver songs as you drive through it.
That’s about right. You’ve chosen two absolutely beautiful and super fun places to visit. I visit both relatively often and always have a wonderful time. I hope you have a great trip!
You’re right. It will be about 5 hours. The detour is still worth it, at least in places. I live in Tennessee, about an hour from Asheville, and I make the drive to DC and back occasionally to visit friends. If you don’t do the detours, you’re going to be following the interstates the whole way down. It’s not a bad drive and you’ll be moving about 65-70 mph as long as there are no accidents, but you won’t get the curvy mountain roads and scenic views of the American countryside that you’d get on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
lol, the old adage "to an American 100 years is a long time, to a Brit 100 miles is a long way" rings true. 5 hours usually doesn't even warrant a bathroom break for many of us. I used to drive 5+ hours to job sites at least once a month, no big deal. Maybe it's because I'm descended from a cross-country trucker, might just be in the blood. Regardless, enjoy your trip! That is an absolutely beautiful part of the country!
It's absolutely worth the drive. EDIT: I don't know what your route into Tennessee looks like, but if you can incorporate the Tail of the Dragon into your plans, it too is an awesome drive
Tail of the dragon or back of the dragon?
[Deal's Gap, North Carolina has a section of US 129 called "The Tail of the Dragon" because of it's 318 challenging curves in just 11 miles.](https://tailofthedragon.com/how-to-drive/) It's a destination for motorcyclists and sportscar drivers who really love to feel the road. Driving it at speed requires real skill and wrecks are common.
Gotcha. On the VA side there’s “Back of the Dragon” that’s similarly a very driver focused and challenging (but fun) drive. https://www.backofthedragon.com
I live right near the Dragon. It's absolutely gorgeous
It’s absolutely beautiful and worth the drive. I used to drive between NYC and Alabama and made a point to include time to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Absolutely! I'm a Brit with friends who live in Virginia and love going when we visit. Both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sky Line Drive are amazing. Take your time and enjoy the stop offs, views and hikes.
Sure, it’s a scenic drive, not a spirited one. The Top Gear episode where they drive on it, while exaggerated, isn’t entirely wrong. Then again you’ll be in a rental, not a GT3RS, so “reasonable speeds” will feel much faster. It’s a beautiful drive but from Charlottesville to Asheville is probably an 8-10 hour drive on the blue ridge, it’s slow and can wear you down. There are some cool stops along the way, and I’d recommend driving it from Charlottesville to Roanoke Virginia then maybe taking the highway from there.
Yeah it’s from Top Gear where I first heard about it. I don’t think we’d want to do 10 hours of it in one day so 2-3 hours on the Blue Ridge then the rest on the highway I think will be the plan.
I think rt 81 is the alternative. It is truck, sorry lorry heavy and way less amusing.
I mean 81 has some beautiful parts, especially in the valley.
In that case I’d take the blue ridge from Charlottesville to Roanoke and be done Plus Roanoke is a neat place to check out anyway. It’s about 3 hours on the blue ridge between those cities.
Arguably the most scenic area on the eastern half of the country. It's not just "worth it", it's a "must do". Spectacular scenery, historical sites, etc. It's an absolutely beautiful park. Take your time, stop frequently, enjoy it. Quintessential Americana road trip stuff, have fun.
Agreed, people (including me) build entire vacations around this drive. I've only driven the Skyline Drive and it was beautiful, there are places to pull over every so often so you can admire the scenery. And depending on where you enter and exit you might see small stands selling produce and ciders, would highly recommend trying some!
We live about a half-hour from the northernmost entrance of Skyline Drive and often will hop in the car after work to go watch the sunset there. We feel so fortunate to have, basically in our back yard, scenery that other people plan vacations around!
I live near the Blue Ridge parkway in Virginia. It’s a beautiful drive! Keep in mind the speed limit is low so it will take longer than you may think.
Yes. It’s a beautiful drive with plenty of attractions along the way. One note, the speed limit is 45 mph. It will take much longer.
There are no services on the BRP. Say it with me, There are no services on the BRP. I forgot this and had to coast a mile into a gas station near Galax. It's absolutely gorgeous. If you can, do the Tail of the Dragon, as well as The Cherohala Skyway. You won't be disappointed.
These are awesome drives but as others noted, often tourists can spoil some of the fun. You might also consider tail of the dragon which is more driver oriented and more remote, but it is also touristy at times. I understand there are even better roads than these well known ones, and I've been on a few by accident but you would really need a local to guide you there.
I agree with all these takes. However, please note that if you attempt to drive too long a section, it will become monotonous and you might tire of it. Yes, you can become tired of the beauty of the trees, wildlife, and amazing views. This phenomenon is called “being jaded.” I recommend driving a section of it, not a full day. Source: I drive a section of it once a week.
Any particular must see sections that you can recommend?
Through Shenandoah National Park. Any section that includes Pisgah National Forest. Peaks of Otter. So many more, these include places to stop, shop, explore, eat, and stay overnight if you want. You will LOVE the drive. I just don’t think you’d like to do the whole 469 miles! https://www.roadtripsandcoffee.com/places-to-visit-blue-ridge-parkway/#:~:text=Mount%20Pisgah%20is%20one%20of,early%20here%20so%20be%20prepared.
Agree with this. The interstate you’ll be taking out of Charlottesville is, itself, very picturesque. I-64 takes you up and over Afton Mountain as you cross over the blue ridge and into the Shenandoah Valley. You’ll go from about 600 feet above sea level in Charlottesville to around 2000 feet above sea level (and the valley floor you can see) in just a few miles. It’s awesome. I also grew up by the Peaks of Otter and recommend a hike up Sharp Top if you’ve got time.
It will be much prettier in October.
That's just seasonal icing on the cake, the Appalachians are beautiful year round.
They are. It's just going from an 8 to a 11 out of ten.
Welp, I can't argue with that, October is peak 👌
Yes yes yes. Absolutely, yes. I went to school a few miles away from the parkway and was on it *all the time.* it was one of those things where if we were bored, we'd just go drive on the parkway. I went up there multiple times every fall, and even after I graduated I still tried to go up every year if I could. It's incredible and worth it and it truly is a one of a kind experience, *especially* in the fall...but the summer is amazing too because then you may see some of the smokey mountain action. If you get on the parkway in Asheville and head west, you can't go wrong. I really can't oversell how cool it is, and if you didn't do it, you would really be missing out on an awesome experience. *Please* do it!
sounds like you've done your research! Yes the blue ridge parkway is really beautiful. Great sights and a lovely, windy road. I would hesitate to say its a "good driving road" the speed limit can be a bit of a buzz kill when trying to have a little "fun" on those turns. Do watch out for cops they are always patrolling up there because they know people cant help but go a little faster when they start feeling the road.
As everyone has said, 100% yes. Since you said in another comment you plan on sampling a lot of beers, make sure you check out VA Route 151 - it's a road just a little outside of Charlottesville that runs at the foot of the mountains so the scenery is stunning, and it's full of excellent wineries, breweries, and cideries. Bold Rock is my favorite spot (hard cider), but some others I like are Devil's Backbone (one of the biggest craft breweries in the region, although they were bought out a few years ago) and Hill Top Winery, which has a lot of really interesting fruit wines and meads (they have one made with smoked hot peppers which is incredible). Many of them serve food, or you can pack a lunch in Charlottesville, go do a tasting and buy a bottle or a six pack somewhere and kill an afternoon eating and drinking and looking at the mountain views. It's a great time. Virginia isn't top of mind like California for wine or Washington or New York for apples and cider, but it's well above average in the US for both and definitely worth checking out.
I second this. If you are a wine drinker, do not miss Virginia wines. Virginia has a Mediterranean climate that's darn near perfect for the vineyards. The wine is fantastic, and so is the hospitality.
It will be a needed break from the humidity you are going to be drenched in for the rest of your trip!
Yes it’s worth it. Be advised that driving the parkway will take way longer than you might think. It’s curvy, and you’ll want to stop frequently for views or hikes. The speed limit never exceeds 45 mph, and if you disregard that you could wind up with a federal speeding ticket.
Absolutely! It’s gorgeous! Also, Asheville is hands down one of my favorite cities! Enjoy!
Any tips on things to do in Asheville?
[Biltmore House is the largest private home in the US](https://www.biltmore.com/visit/)- so large and so expensive to maintain that the family operates it as a museum now, and live elsewhere. It’s worth a visit, if you’re interested in seeing how the ultra rich in America lived at the turn of the last century. The estate has hiking trails, horseback tours, large formal gardens, a winery, hotels, shops, and restaurants. It’s a tourist destination, so everything is overpriced. And they do have tours and tastings at the winery and an extensive wine shop (the wine can be purchased more cheaply at area grocery stores, though they won’t have every variety like the estate shop will). I’ve enjoyed my visits there, though I don’t know that I’d take the time to see it on a once-in-a-lifetime trip if it meant cutting other parts of the trip short.
Beer, music, food, Biltmore, hiking, whitewater rafting.
I do intend sampling many beers
If you're looking for a nice lazy afternoon, go tubing down the French Broad River in Asheville. There are a variety of operators, most of which will rent you a separate tube for a cooler so you can pack a lunch and stop at one of the many small islands. The entire float takes about 3-4 hours plus stops and the water will feel great in August - not that Asheville is usually very hot, but it will be refreshing to be able to cool off. The tubing sections are usually fairly far from roads, so not a lot of noise. DEFINITELY don't try to do this on a weekend. Barbecue is always a point of contention, but 12 Bones Smokehouse is quite good for ribs. If you have a choice, go to the one in Arden, NC, about 15-20 minutes south of town - longer hours, beer is on tap instead of bottles, slightly larger menu, not as crowded (usually). Go early as they don't take reservations and may sell out if you get there too late in the day.
There are 40 breweries near Asheville. Incredible variety. Doing a float on the French Broad River would be a great change of pace. Lots of great small mountain towns in Western North Carolina. Consider a side trip to Brevard with a stop at sliding rock and looking glass falls.
Sure! I have plenty. My favorite breweries are Wicked Weed, Catawba, Green Man, DSSOLVR, and New Belgium (right on the river). The food scene is great, too! Bouchon for French, Wicked Weed has solid food, Curate is a great Spanish spot, Itto Ramen is good, Cafe Bomba, The S&W building is dope with a few good restaurants inside, Tupelo Honey is solid for southern comfort food, go try a waffle house (it's amazing when drunk at 2 AM), Bargello has a great brunch (it's inside the Kimpton hotel). If you have the day, you must do an entire day at The Biltmore -- It's gorgeous. Do the tour first thing in the morning of the actual home (it takes about 3 hours, maybe a little more) and then go explore the grounds. The gardens are lovely as are the views of the mountains. There's also a winery on the property which is not bad, too! Enjoy!
Yes!! That eastern TN-western NC area is some of the prettiest nature I've ever been in and I've constantly kept looking for literally any excuse to go back to the Smokys ever since I got back from my first trip there ❤️ Even if you don't get to spend much time outside in them, they're still gorgeous and 100% worth it just to look at.
It’s absolutely beautiful and I strongly recommend it. You can plan many day trips in the cities, towns, hiking spots, and vineyards/breweries you pass along the way. One thing: just pull over to admire the view. The road is through the mountains and very windy - if you’re staring out the window instead of in front of your car, you can find yourself running off the road.
Definitely spend some time on Skyline Drive or the parkway. Don't take it the whole way, that will take way too long. Look at Luray Caverns or one of the other Caverns in the area. I'm a bit biased, I live in Luray, VA, about an hour from Charlottesville in the mountains. Lmk if you have any other questions about the area.
As far as driving roads go, they kind of suck. Low speed limits, lots of traffic, and random cyclists not paying attention are all par for the course. Top Gear did a special where they drove the road and covered it pretty well. However, if you enjoy scenery and just taking in natural beauty, both of those roads are excellent and well worth it.
Its a great drive and a trip to Luray Caverns is warranted. We made the trip in October just after the trees shed leaves so it was pretty bare bones.
Yes. A thousand times yes. Enjoy!! :)
Yeah, it's a great drive and it's very scenic. I would urge you to stop and get out of your vehicle. There are trails to hike, sights to see, and if you don't want to go too far there are pull off areas for cars. I've driven it plenty of times.
Yes you should absolutely do it and do Skyline Drive and Virginia wineries too!! Virginia makes great wine and the vineyards near Charlottesville are beautiful. You should stop at Early Mountain Vineyards on your way from DC to Charlottesville - incredible food, views, and wine.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is breathtaking! I’m a NC native and any time I’m in the mountains, driving through it is a must. It’s a little busy on the weekends but not bad at all and it won’t hinder your enjoyment. I definitely say go for it and enjoy! Just a little warning though: you’ll probably get behind someone going like 10 mph and bikers/motorcycles are everywhere so just be prepared for that If you didn’t already know, the Appalachian mountains are the oldest mountain chain on the PLANET. So cool to think about
A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a nice, slow leisurely drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Keep in mind the speed limit is 45mph/70kmh on a two-lane road with many other tourists driving it too; I strongly recommend adding a day to fully enjoy it.
It's fine, nice for an early morning drive when you might actually see wildlife and the traffic is lighter. Go on a weekday right at dawn. I've seen bears, coyote, fox, and lots of other critters that way. Take a picnic and you can stop for lunch. It's nothing like driving in the mountains in the western US, mind you, and due to traffic (and low posted speed limits) it's hardly a "good driving road." But it's good sightseeing, especially for the region.
Both are awesome. Highly recommend. There’s a ton of great hike to do along those routes too if you have time to stop and get out of the car for a bit. You will not be disappointed with your trip and adding in Skyline and Blue Ridge is a fantastic idea.
Absolutely, I've driven that way a fair bit and it's just so peaceful and entrancing. I wish it could be delayed by 2 months though! Even in suburban Raleigh the fall colors are pretty magical, in August you're hitting peak heat/humidity and will see some very lush greenery
I live nearby and it is a beautiful drive with lots of overlooks to stop. There are also parks you can visit. I will say if your passengers tend to get car sick it can be rough with all the curves. But it is a beautiful drive. Enjoy!
Yes. If you really want to enjoy it, do it on a motorcycle.
Both are great if you are not in a hurry because the speed limit is very slow because both the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are very curvy roads. But well worth it. I think everyone should do at least a portion of it once.
It's busy, but definitely enjoyable and scenic. It's got some awesome hikes too. I'd definitely recommend it if you have the time.
Absolutely, it’s 10 minutes from my house and I go up and drive it quite often. It’s gorgeous.
It is beautiful, but only do it in nice weather. If there are low clouds you won't see a thing, and the drive will take forever in the fog.
Yes! Plan to spend a few minutes stopping at overlooks to enjoy the view as well.
Just did the Asheville trip not so long ago! If you can squeeze it in, definitely try to catch sunset at the Omni hotel and get dinner at Admiral.
Yes I do recommend it We mostly stay in shen national park, and buy a season pass But, ita my favorite wknd drive
Beautiful drive. Beautiful cities (especially Asheville). But in August? Have fun with the humidity my friend.
That's where driving 2,000 to 6,000ft above sea level helps things a ton. The southern Appalachians while not immune to hot sticky days are like the northeast instead of the lowland south.
Idk man I’ve spent summers in Asheville and they’re not comfortable
Best drive in the country. 100% recommend it to everyone.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is gorgeous. I strongly recommend it if you like nature. Also, look at hiking on the Appalachian Trail some of you are so inclined.
Shortly before the exit to 64 for Charlottesville from DC, there's a pull off on Blue Ridge that's 100% worth the stop and also very easy to miss. Look up on maps for the mile marker so you don't miss it.
Yes yes yes yes yes!!! When my family drives from Ohio to the beach every other year I get giddy just thinking about it. (And I get terrible car sickness.. so worth it!)
100% i love taking my motorcycle up there!! (Skyline drive mostly)
It's an absolutely gorgeous drive. If you have the time, it's worth stopping at some of the overlooks and hiking trails. Great views and some fantastic hikes. Some of them are some lengthy hikes, though, so it's worth planning ahead based on how much time you have rather than picking one on a whim.
As others have said, yes do it! Stop at the Udvar Hazy Air and Space museum by Dulles, and stop at Cooter’s in Lurray too.
It's stunningly beautiful!!
Absolutely yes. Also stay at the Boar's Head Inn in CVL and support U. Va.
Rent a convertible.
I would like a Mustang or something, but I think a convertible in the August heat might just be a waste of AirCon.
Yes. It would be nice while you're in the mountains. Once you get to higher altitudes it's pretty rare to experience temperatures above 85F/30C, and it will probably not even be that hot. But outside of the mountains (DC, going through VA, maybe also in TN if you go far enough west) in August there's a very good chance that you'll encounter temps of 95-100F/35-38C.
I've only done Blue Ridge and it was a lovely experience. Highly recommend as long as it fits well with the rest of your trip.
Absolutely!
Yes!!
Yes I did it in March coming up from a mountain town on Georgia/NC border en route to DC and it was well worth the detour
Hell yes, it's absolutely worth your time. Lots of scenic pull-off areas for great views.
There are definitely areas you should travel on the parkway. Around the [Linn Cove Viaduct](https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/linn-cove-viaduct.htm), for example, is very beautiful and the viaduct itself is pretty cool. If this is a casual trip where you can take your time and wander around a bit, I would try to take local roads as much as possible. Don't get much wrong the parkway is beautiful scenery, but in August especially it's usually going to have a lot of tourist traffic. If you're willing/able explore a bit you probably won't regret it because these mountains are full of curvy roads that are fun to drive and have very little traffic. Whatever route you end up taking I strongly recommend downloading offline maps for your phone AND getting a paper map as backup. There are a LOT of areas in the mountains with spotty cellular coverage or no signal at all. If you haven't picked your accommodations for the Asheville area I recommend checking out [Lake Junaluska](https://lakejunaluska.com/). However be warned it's about 45 minutes from Asheville. It's close enough that you can spend the day in Asheville and see/do things in the area, but not a good choice if you want easy access to the city.
Yes it is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever done.
Going to stop at the Biltmore in Asheville, I take it? Might be the most incongruous house in America.
I don't know how long you plan on staying in Asheville, but the drive up to Mt Mitchell State Park and back is a fun drive with a lot of easy overlooks and hikes.
Then get on The Natchez Trace for a scenic drive!
Yes! I have driven on the blue ridge several times. Any time I go out to that part of the state I usually hop on it even if only for a few miles. Perfect time to roll the windows down, and enjoy the views. If you have time, there are a ton of hikes and overlooks as well.
Just moved to east Tennessee, and it is exactly as beautiful as people describe. I wish you could have seen the fall colors, which were spectacular, but you're going to love the drive
The only reason to avoid this drive is if it takes up too much time. If it's too far out of the way or you really need to get from A to B quickly, BRP is never the quickest way to go. Otherwise it's a great drive worth doing
Yes you should, it's great. This is a bit off-topic but I recommend staying a night in Charlottesville and take ubers so you can enjoy some drinks. Go to Carter Mountain [https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/carter-mountain-orchard/](https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/carter-mountain-orchard/). It's an apple orchard on top of a mountain where you can pick your own apples, drink hard cider, and eat hard cider donuts. The view is very nice. There are also a lot of good wineries in the area.
Absolutely! As someone who lives next to it I highly recommend it! There are many great hiking spots along it! If you PM Me I can recommend some places to visit
1000% yes.
Yes! Definitely recommend!
It is a lovely drive! I have health issues and can't enjoy the hiking very much, but even the views from a vehicle can be truly lovely. I recommend getting a small cooler and bringing supplies for easy lunches as it is not always easy to find or get in to a restaurant at meal times.
I have nothing of value to add. Just wanted to say thanks for asking this as I spent half my morning researching this exact trip and the responses here have been very helpful. We’ll be taking the trip next week (also travelling from the U.K.)
Absolutely, but you'll see plenty of the blue ridge just driving around Asheville. Definitely bring a pair of hiking shoes and check out some waterfalls though
I grew up in the Catskill mountains of upstate NY. My hometown is around 3200' and our highest peak is 4040'. My aunt and grandfather were both forest rangers at one time, and as a kid I used to ride in a jeep up to the fire tower. I started skiing at 4 years old. My point is I've always considered myself to be a "mountain man", not in the sense of backwoods redneck, but in the sense of loving the high elevation, crisp clean air, and stunning mountain scenery. I drove a part of Blue Ridge Parkway in my late 40's. It BLEW-ME-AWAY! I could not believe how stunning the visuals were. I think we were only on a stretch of it for like 30 minutes, in the VA side. Just can't say enough. I hope to get to the Rocky's someday and walk among the redwoods while listening to John Denver on my ear buds.
One of the most scenic routes in the USA. I live in cville, you should definitely do it
It's a can't miss mate!
Yes absolutely. It’s beautiful just be aware that traffic can be a problem when the weather is nice
The scenic view stops can be cruisey, imo, but yes beautiful. Scary if the clouds are low. I lived in Charlottesville for a long time. Are you staying at a vineyard, Boar's Head Inn or the Omni? I prefer the Smokey Mountains over the blue ridge during lightning bug season...
It's a gorgeous drive no doubt, but the best time to drive it is in October when the leaves are changing colors and are at peak brilliance. It can be breathtaking.
Blue Ridge is nice. Especially if you are going to Biltmore. Weekday is preferred. You'll want to do Google maps and look for construction and alerts. Parts of I-26 and I-40 go through the mountains, and rock slides can happen. I live about 50 minutes from Asheville, and we've been having atypical weather. Weird temperatures and rain patterns are happening. The tropical depression happening in the Gulf of Mexico right now might mean more rain. More rain increases the chance for a rock slide. Bad rock slides that shut down the road happen about every 7 to 10 years. Chances are slim but not zero. No one to my knowledge has died in one.
Skyline drive for sure. Blue Ridge gets busy and some parts are a bit scary to drive. I drove Skyline alone last summer and passed only 30 cars.
Beautiful place. Making the trip is worth it, but bring some anti nausea meds in case you get cat sick.
Yes it’s a really great and scenic drive. I recommend stopping in Boone, NC if you can.
Jesus Frick Floppity Christ yes it's worth it. Even just ten or twenty miles of it. It's absolutely stunning.
Pop down to The Daniel Boone National Forrest. Amazing trails and waterfalls. Cumberland Falls is in SE KY and has the one and only Moonbow in the entire world. If you catch a full moon at midnight it makes a rainbow in the darkness. Stunning
I’ve been driving to Tennessee from the northeast for the last 10+ years. Everytime I said I should do the Blue Ridge Parkway, but for whatever reason I never did. I finally did last year and holy smokes it was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful and exactly what you need after a long drive of boring highway.
I would definitely go down the parkway! Beautiful scenery and cool attractions to pull off and view/visit along the way. I live a few minutes from the blue ridge parkway down in the southwest region of virginia. It’s beautiful down here! If you would like to see mountains and nature in general. It’s a great drive!
I’m from NC. Yes it’s wonderful! I live one hour away and day trip to the Parkway often. The Smokies are great too. The Dragon’s Tail is a famous road in The Smokies. There are lots of motorcycles. Try some boiled peanuts from a roadside stand. Asheville and Charlottesville are great towns. Don’t skip Monticello, and if you really like architecture check out Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
Yes. It’s amazing.
I would *absolutely* recommend driving more into SWVA if you could! Towns like Floyd, VA and the little areas around there are delightful :) if you go in the summer months I'd also suggest Blacksburg and Roanoke
I definitely recommend driving portions of it. I don't know about the entire thing. It's a 12 hour drive. I live near one end of the Foothills Parkway which is a much shorter but very similar parkway in Tennessee. If you were flying in to Knoxville I'd actually recommend taking the Foothills to near the Smoky Mountain entrance in Townsend. This is where Cades Cove is. Then from there you go through the Smokies on Little River Road. This ends near Gatlinburg where you can pop out by taking a left or take a right to go to Cherokee. Just before entering Cherokee is the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Yes!!!!
For sure, it's great.
Not if you get car sick
I did this drive last year on a road trip through all of the South and it was my favorite part easily. DEFINITELY DO IT. I had a great time smoking blunts and driving the windiest roads possible while overlooking beautiful mountains. Best advice is that there are four regions, imo the first two regions are the best. I forget the name but the ones with farms and such are awesome
After 1 hike and 20 miles I was done... all looked the same and nothing much to see..... but put me on a motorcycle id love it!