8 Tips for Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip: Route, Cost, Weather, Hiking & More

Blue Ridge Parkway is a fantastic road trip. My dad and I drove it over 4 days and enjoyed all of the fun experiences there were to see along the way. I made this video to help others plan their road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In it I cover how much it cost, how many days are best, how to plan for the weather and more. Let me know what other questions you have below.

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[terria]

Commercial vehicles aren't allowed on the Parkway, hence the effect on availability of food/gas. There were once gas stations at stops easily accessed from side roads (Peaks of Otter once had gas), but those were taken out in the early 90s. Also, if you are camping/RVing, the Parkway-related camping is typically without hookups, though there are accessible commercial campgrounds close to the road.

While studying the road itself, look for the offshoots that will take you down to the towns. The comment about there being nothing between Boone and Roanoke was mistaken in that respect. At Fancy Gap, US52 drops down into Mt Airy, otherwise known as Mayberry. A shorter hop in the other direction on US52 takes you to Hillsville. Mabry Mill has a restaurant. Hopping off of VA8 to drop down to Floyd is worth it.

There are also a number of cabins and B&Bs close to the Parkway, you just have to study the route.

If time is limited (yeah, 4 days ain't gonna do it) then some sections are best plowed through. We lived an hour from the Parkway for 25 years and drove/rode motorcycles up and down the entire length. We knew some parts where we simply focused on the road ahead. Also - speed limits? 45 with some sections around tourist spots less. Busy places like Mabry Mill, the Linville Viaduct, Moses Cone House .. will see a lot of congestion on the road. Some of the pullouts are on blind curves. Slow down and use your turn signal. Watch for people scampering across the road at the most scenic areas. You may see people pulled off on some of the verges to picnic. That is allowed ... or at least tolerated.

Asheville - the locals use the Parkway as a shortcut. Some speed. Be on the lookout for cops. KEEP IN MIND THAT SPEEDING ON THE PARKWAY CAN BE A FEDERAL OFFENSE. That action was forced by the bikers who came up with challenges of riding between certain sections.

If you plan a fall trip (the busiest time, especially on the weekends) the road will be crowded, especially around some of the places I named above.

There are other videos on youtube providing details on how to find lodging/food. This one is a good introduction. We hope to move back to NC; our retirement to Tennessee ("hey! It's right next door to NC!") isn't as good as we had hoped. One reason is that we miss the Blue Ridge Parkway. I can't wait to get back 'home.'

[romanm]

Your videos are some of the best I have seen. Very informative too

[gary]

I'm sorry but don't know your name....but wanted to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE all the videos you do with your dad. I think that is just about the coolest thing in the world. Plus you are a natural at narrating your adentures; always so perfectly smooth and detailed. A question if you don't mind, and apologies if it is too personal. But I was wondering about your mother, as I've never seen her or heard you mention her in any of your videos. Has she passed on (sorry if yes), or if still living does she just consider you & your dad traveling together "a guy thing" ? Very curious. THANK YOU for all the fantastic videos, and keep up the great work ! Gary from Rochester, NY

[auroranite]

We hit fog in Fancy Gap, Va. It was quite frightening. We live in Northeast and are use to fog banks rolling in from ocean, as well as Blizzard white outs. BUT this Fog was worse than any of above. 10-15’ at most visibility. Made worse by not knowing the area. Learned this is very common occurrence in the “Gaps.” Take note tourists. btw the weather was cloudy in Roanoke but not rain and why we were caught off guard.

[katt]

I love your videos, sorry to use this video to ask but while I’m watching mammoth lakes video you said to ask for suggestions to visit. I grew up camping in the sierras and have now lived in Virginia for decades. There are a few neat places I think of…one is the gold town of Downieville and camping at Gold Lake. Would be extra fun is you fished!

[LennyFlorentine]

This came at a great time for me as me and my son are about to roadtrip from New Orleans back to Baltimore. Hoping to drive through Blue Ridge on the way back! Thanks for this one!

[hikesome]

Great tips man, Hopefully I will be there next year ;)

[jamesmengel]

I like this video, as I want to plan trip myself! Luckily I can cut flights, rental and hotels out, since live just live east of ATL. To avoid hotel costs I’m planning on camping along the route, of course it’ll take some planning🤔

[PaulaClouse]

I was wondering about the travel trailer thing too. Ours is a little vintage trailer (13’) so I was wondering about camping along the route? We have a solar set up so wouldn’t need hook ups necessarily. I bought your E books for both the New England trip and for this one, and will be watching your Shenandoah Valley video to get info on that too. Really love it you travel with your dad. My mom and I were travel hounds and toured the Wild West before she passed away. Some of the best memories of her and of travel!

[mikeherring]

I'm driving from Birmingham, AL to Wayneboro and going North to South and taking 4 or 5 days to complete. I really don't want to lock down hotel accommodations because I want to go at my own pace and stop when I feel like it. Did you have any trouble finding rooms? I appreciate your thorough information on your trips. My brother and I are going to Alaska in June and your video was very helpful with planning that trip.

[cdille]

You can also fly to Greenville SC and drive one hour north to enter the parkway at Asheville

[slighwentwalking]

I used to live around that area surrounding the parkway. It was routine to go to one trail or another every few days when I lived there. I worked in Lynchburg and Roanoke and went to college in Blacksburg and Charlottesville...in total about 15 years in the area.
So many trails and overlooks I can't remember the names.
They are serious about getting you OFF the mountain when its going to snow.
There are some narrow roads with very steep drop-offs....enjoy the drive and take your time.

[PhD_JD_MD_PurebreadOwner]

Is there a train ride through the blue ridge mountains? Would be nice to not have to drive for a solo mission

[mariedupuis]

What a beautiful trip across the mountains that makes my husband and I dream even if we will not be able to visit for we live far abroad...Such stunning and gorgeous sceneries and places full of history to see outside big cities that we didn t know. Nice to travel with your father too. A real pleasure to watch thank you for sharing and a big hello from France !

[AmbientWalking]

What can I say! This is super awesome and amazing and please keep doing what you do! 😁

[madelynrobinson]

Enjoy y’all’s adventures and videos! Thank you for sharing your journeys! Food and gas isn’t that limited as there are good access points from the Pkwy to nearby/close towns and communities. But, I totally agree, take plenty of drinks and snacks to have along the way. Also, several map publications that are free & can be picked up all around the Pkwy often denote where gas is available. Also, lodging is pretty available as well. There are somewhat parallel roadways to the Pkwy with local hotels and larger communities with national chains that are located at good daily breakpoints. Bathrooms are the most challenging to find in the park. Planning a cross country trip is more difficult for sure, but this National Park is far easier to plan for than the larger, remote parks out west. Safe travels and happy trails all!

[klkiley]

I was on the blue ridge once at an overlook in NC and saw a tornado probably around 20 miles away. It was wild.

[EduardoMoser]

Hi Sir, what its like drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in early November from entry near Ashville, stay in Roanoke, then take exit to Charlottesville ?

[nextupcamping]

Your videos are great and informative. Thanks for letting us see your adventures

[doggsdoggs]

What paperback book did your Dad use? I noticed it on another video. He had lots of pages marked with stickies.