Besides taking your time, here are some important logistical tips to know before driving Blue Ridge Parkway. Perfect Blue Ridge Parkway Itinerary: Road Trip How Long Set aside 1 to 3 hours for the state park depending on whether you go for a hike and/or have dinner here at the restaurant as I suggested. The road trip offers endless views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hiking and biking opportunities, and some great natural attractions. Bring warm layers! The picturesque Parkway offers charming scenery all the way. So, we already know how long does it take to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. How Many Days Should You Spend Driving The Blue Ridge Parkway? In fact, there are a couple of problems in this schedule. Whether you're looking to hike, climb or simply enjoy the views, a trip along "America's Favorite Drive" is sure to be a memorable one. Next to that, the NPS has built several different rail fences here. Not sure what to pack for your road trip? The last day of your Blue Ridge itinerary takes about 3 to 4 hours driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 5 Cross-Country Road Trips That Youll Never Forget, 4 Vital Life Hacks to Survive a Holiday Road Trip for New Drivers, This Ultimate Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip, Quick Guide to Road Tripping and Shooting with iPhone, 10 State Parks That Are Screaming Road Trip, 45 Road Trip Hacks That Will Make Travelling More Fun, RV Storage Prep: Essential Equipment to Safeguard, Little-Known Mistakes People Often Make When Going, Navigating Safe Waters: Your Guide To Ensuring, Safety In Nature: Tips For Outdoor Adventurers. You will get numerous access points to enter the byway. There are many visitor centers, but to plan our exploration, we went to the main Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (MP 384) near the city of Asheville and our campground in Lenoir, North Carolina. Operating dates and hours are available on the NPS website . And you can always turn around and retrace your steps. Cosette is a seasoned traveler who has traveled to various countries with her husband and son. If you drove nonstop from end to end, it takes about 12-13 hours. But, whats the start point of this route? and the drive times between each. Bridge supports on the mountainside had a minimal environmental impact, and the deck (the road portion of the bridge) was built segmentally from the top. How Long Does It Take to Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway? Here are some of our top picks of places to stay along the way: Driving this whole route in a single day is technically possible, but definitely not the most enjoyable way to see the Blue Ridge Parkway. Believe it or not, you wont have to pay any tolls, and most commercial vehicles arent allowed. Ideally, anywhere between 3 to 7 days should be enough depending on how many stops you take. Stay at Buena Vista Motel for a retro motel experience that doesnt break the bank. There is only one tunnel on the Virginia end of the parkway at MP 53.1 Bluff Mountain. Spend about an hour at this legendary cliff with an amazing view, have a picnic lunch, and spend some time climbing on rocks. This post may contain affiliate links. The first two regions are in Virginia, and North Carolina accommodates the other two. WebDrive for 10 miles or 50it's all up to you! Driving straight through with no breaks would take about 11 hours. Stop at the Visitor Center, which is located just two miles from the parkway. Blue Ridge Parkway Drive Stops You Have The park is located both in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. WebThe parkway, which is America's longest linear park, [3] runs for 469 miles (755 km) through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parkway was built during the Great Depression as part of New Deal efforts to revive the regions struggling economy through travel and tourism. Before entering the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can spend up to 6 hours driving the Skyline Drive, hiking, enjoying the waterfalls and outlooks as a first encounter with the Blue Ridge Mountains. Start your day with breakfast at Hardees in Buena Vista to get you fueled up for the day! Several smaller towns that are popular stops on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip include: Blue Ridge Parkway was planned and built to be a linear park, unlike most other national park sites which protect environments first and tend to add infrastructure later. This is a nice stop for local goodies and souvenirs, with different vendors each year. In the space of 12 miles you'll see the Linn Cove Viaduct, mighty Grandfather Mountain, and Linnville Falls too. Natural Bridge is about 15 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. You'll pass through Asheville, Blowing Rock and Roanoke plus scenic landmarks like Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, Otter Lake Overlook and Mabry Mill. Blue Ridge Parkway Drive Required fields are marked *, View the Drivin & Vibin Privacy Policy Here. This hotel in Asheville is minutes from both the main Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. ), so be careful! Keep the 4 th day for your return trip! To be more specific, the journey starts from the Shenandoah National Parks Skyline Drive and ends in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ideally, anywhere between 3 to 7 days should be enough depending on how many stops you take. Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Parkway Drive Stops You Have It takes at least 12 hours to drive the whole 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground has drinking water and bathrooms with flush toilets, though no showers are available. If theres no vacancy, drive further and overnight at Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road. The campground has set aside 25 of these for first-come, first-served campers. If you discover youre driving the wrong direction, turn around at the next overlook. As a minimum, we'd suggest stopping at least every 2-3 hours to stretch your legs or switch drivers, which could add up to an hour to your driving time. The Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its scenic beauty and breathtaking attractions. Campgrounds might have a camp store with prepackaged basics. Spend about 3 hours here, admiring the Natural Bridge. For the night, stay at the Pisgah Inn, directly on the parkway and often fully booked. WebDrive for 10 miles or 50it's all up to you! This day takes about 12 hours, depending on whether you end your day at Canton or a little further along in Asheville. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the mountains, so naturally, youll encounter some steep grades, tighter curves, small or non-existent shoulders, and other minor hazards. This doesn't include any time you'd like to spend following some of the fabulous trails which run off the parkway, so as we've already mentioned, we recommend at least one overnight stop when you drive this route. If youd actually like to enjoy the parkway, stopping at attractions and getting in a few hikes, we recommend a 7 day road trip itinerary. Fun Fact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at the southern end of Blue Ridge Parkway, is the most visited national park in the national park system. Most cars wont need more than that for a single days leisurely drive, but you know your vehicle better than we do. Is it possible to cover it within a day? Blue Ridge Parkway Have two drivers available so you can alternate and stay fresh, especially if you're trying to do the drive in just a day or two. Slow travel isnt always our best friend. WebA: You can purchase Parkway-related materials online, via telephone by calling (828) 299-3507, or the largest selection of materials is available at any open Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most picturesque roads in the USA, perfect to drive in the spring, summer, or fall. No problem! Parkway WebThe Parkways speed limit is typically 45 miles per hour (less in some places). Youll enter the Blue Ridge Parkway through the North Entrance and spend about 2 hours driving and exploring it. Jump to: What to Do if Background Information; Visiting the Parkway; Driving the Parkway; Things to Do; Protecting the Parkway; Regulations This is especially noticeable on the North Carolina end of the parkway where youll find the highest elevations. There are several trails here to different views of the falls. An easy-to-moderate hike for almost 360 views is the Craggy Pinnacle Trail. The NPS website has a list of all 25 tunnels, their location on the parkway, and the clearance at centerline and edgeline. The Peaks of Otter Lodge has been serving the travelers for over 50 years. 2. More likely, youll arrive for peak color at a certain elevation but other elevations are either past peak or havent changed yet. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Restaurants In Myrtle Beach You Must Try, make sure you add in a few of the overlooks. Higher elevations will change color before lower elevations. There are things you need to know before you go so you can be prepared. RVs are permitted. Theres no better way to get to know these breathtaking mountains than to spend a night or more camping there. The mountains and forests under a blanket of snow is something you wont forget! It crowns the top spot as the most-visited unit in Americas National Park System. 2. This is a short day in terms of stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so use that extra time to explore more of Shenandoah National Park first or enjoy a late start to your day. As we've already said, in theory, you could drive the 469-mile route in little over 12 hours. Knowing the Blue Ridge Parkway driving timesis necessary to plan a trip there. If You Like Campgrounds or Rustic Park Lodges, Youre in Luck. Hiking can be dangerous at this time of year if youre not prepared or equipped for snow, ice, and cold temperatures. If you want to enjoy the scenic beauty of the route, visit the attractions, and take proper breaks for refreshments and night stays, it will take at least three days to cross the Parkway. Hiking: The Blue Ridge Parkway is known for providing access to some of the best hiking trails in the nation.
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