Travel Blue Ridge Waprkway From Ashville to Roaknoke
The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip lets you travel through dense forests and wind past great mountains. It's a scenic road trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains that also goes by the name America's favorite drive. During the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip you will continue to ask the question: What's around the next turn?
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Blue Ridge Parkway guide
- About the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Part 1: To Roanoke (MP 120)
- Part 2: To Blowing Rock (MP 294)
- Part 3: To Asheville (MP 389)
- Part 4: To Cherokee (MP 469)
- Additional: Great Smoky Mountains
- Total distance: 469 mi / 750 km
- Total driving time: 13 h
Good things to know about the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles (750 km) from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia in the north to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south. It's a spectacular drive with great stops along the way.
Blue Ridge Parkway mileposts are used to identify locations to visit. The Blue Ridge Parkway mileposts are ordered from Afton and Shenandoah National Park in the north to Cherokee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south.
On the Blue Ridge Parkway the speed limit typically is 45 miles (72 km) per hour or in some cases even less. So the pace throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is low.
A low pace is great if you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is not so great if you just want to put the miles behind you as soon as possible. The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is certainly not a drive you want to take if you're in a hurry.
That's it. Now it's high time to get out there and begin the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Blue Ridge Parkway road trip part 1: Driving to Roanoke (Milepost 120)
- Driving distance: 120 mi / 193 km
- Driving time: 3 h
In Afton you find the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the northern entrance you start driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from MP 0, and when you arrive in Roanoke you are at MP 120.
Explore a Natural Bridge (Milepost 62)
It's early on, but the Blue Ridge Parkway shows off an interesting spot already at MP 62. The Natural Bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary is a 215 foot-tall (66 m) stone structure that reaches 90 feet (27 m) across the gorge it sits in.
The gorge has been carved by Cedar Creek, a tributary of James River. So the Natural Bridge is the remains of the cave or tunnel that Cedar Creek once flowed through.
Already a long time ago the Natural Bridge interested the Native Americans, who used it as a sacred site. The area also caught the attention of George Washington in 1750. Later, in the year 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land, which encompassed the bridge.
Today the Natural Bridge is the main attraction of Natural Bridge State Park. With its unique appearance and interesting history it's certainly a great first Blue Ridge Mountains road trip stop.
See the shining Roanoke Star (Milepost 120)
Roanoke (MP 120) is an optimal place to base yourself the first night or nights when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. The city is literally surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains with nature only a short hike away.
A popular addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary is the Roanoke Star. Just the way Hollywood has its Hollywood sign, Roanoke has the Roanoke Star. The 90 feet (30 m) tall star sits on the top of Mill Mountain and protectively looks out over the city and its surroundings.
If you venture to the top of Mill Mountain, you get a close-up view of the star. At the top you also have an impressive panoramic view of Roanoke and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
For some exercise on the Blue Ridge Parkway trip you can hike or bike up to the top of Mill Mountain. But you can also drive to the summit and the Roanoke Star if you prefer it that way.
Be surprised by the beauty of the McAfee Knob (Milepost 120)
The Roanoke area has a lot to offer especially if you enjoy to spend time in nature. Just a few miles outside Roanoke you find a segment of the Appalachian Trail with incredible vistas to enjoy on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Maybe most spectacular of them all is a distinctive rock overhang perch, which you can reach by hiking. The rock is called the McAfee Knob, and it's about an 8-mile (13 km) round trip from the parking lot to the knob. If you like hiking, the McAfee Knob is one of the very best stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Blue Ridge Parkway road trip part 2: Driving to Blowing Rock (Milepost 294)
- Driving distance: 174 mi / 280 km
- Driving time: 4.5 h
Part 2 is by far the longest drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary. From Roanoke you have 174 miles (280 km) to Blowing Rock. When you arrive in Blowing Rock, you are at MP 294.
Additional stop: If you feel that almost 5 hours in the car is too much and want to break it up with an overnighter, somewhere around Fancy Gap at Milepost 199 is a strong option for another Blue Ridge Parkway stop.
Photograph the Mabry Mill when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 176)
Mabry Mill is an idyllic and restored millhouse, originally built in 1905. It has become one of the most famous sights for visitors driving the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At Mabry Mill you can take a self guided tour of the mill to learn a little bit about its history. And of course you shouldn't miss to try the amazing pancakes at the on-site restaurant when traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sing along at the Blue Ridge Music Center (Milepost 213)
The Blue Ridge Music Center at MP 213 has a mission to bring forward the rich musical tradition of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It does that with the help of a museum, an outdoor amphitheater and an indoor venue.
When you visit Blue Ridge Music Center on the parkway road trip, it's likely that the sounds of the fiddle, banjo, and guitar welcomes you. In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain setting, music and nature come together in an engaging way. For music lovers the Blue Ridge Music Center is one of the best stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The actual Blowing Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary (Milepost 292)
A great place for another base when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is the the town Blowing Rock at MP 292. The town's name Blowing Rock comes from a legendary rock in the area. And the actual Blowing Rock that gave name to the town is one of the best Blowing Rock things to do on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary.
The famous Blue Ridge Parkway rock stands out from the other parts of the mountain. From the overlook you have a sweeping view of the mountains as you visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. But the rock is not only about the views. It has an interesting story to tell as well. So don't forget to read about the history of the Blowing Rock before you go.
A Blue Ridge Parkway stop at Moses Cone's Flat Top Manor (Milepost 294)
Another fun Blue Ridge Parkway stop in Blowing Rock is Moses Cone's Flat Top Manor. Textile magnate Moses Cone developed his estate and built an unbelievable summer retreat with his wife Bertha in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Flat Top Manor is an impressive white 20-room mansion built in Colonial Revival style.
The manor itself and the beautiful views makes it a very impressive Blue Ridge Parkway stop, but the estate also includes a family cemetery and an apple orchard. On the estate you as well find 25 miles (40 km) of carefully curated carriage trails for even more magnificent views. The trails are partly overgrown, but that only contributes to the feeling of stepping back in time.
Today Flat Top Manor and the estate belong to the National Park Service. Flat Top Manor is open seasonally, but the trails in the area are always open.
Blue Ridge Parkway road trip part 3: Driving to Asheville (Milepost 389)
- Driving distance: 95 mi / 153 km
- Driving time: 2.5 h
Part 3 is the best part of the Blue Ridge Parkway to drive to enjoy very high elevations. Mount Mitchell is not only the highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but even east of Mississippi. When you arrive in Asheville after 95 miles (153 km), you are at MP 389.
Drive the Linn Cove Viaduct (Milepost 304)
The bridge Linn Cove Viaduct has become a Blue Ridge Parkway icon. It's one of the most photographed Blue Ridge Parkway sights. The S-shaped 1243 feet (379 m) long bridge has become a destination on its own.
You can of course just drive over the Linn Cove Viaduct when traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. But nearby hiking trails give you an even better view of the Blue Ridge Parkway viaduct and the pretty surroundings. So to make the most of the Blue Ridge Parkway highlight, you should exit your car and stretch your legs.
Hike Linville Gorge and Falls on the Blue Ridge Mountains road trip (Milepost 316)
Just a few miles after the Linn Cove Viaduct you face more highlights on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip itinerary, Linville Gorge and Falls.
Linville Falls is a magnificent waterfall that moves in distinctive steps. It starts with a twin set of upper falls and moves down through a small gorge before it culminates with a drop of 45-foot (14 m).
If you want to take it one step further when visiting on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, you can also go for a hike in Linville Gorge. The further away from the falls you get the smaller the crowds get.
A hike is a good way to appreciate the gorge, which also goes by the names Grand Canyon of North Carolina and the Linville River.
As the story goes Linville Falls was used for execution of prisoners by the Native Americans in the area as the final plunge was so deadly. So enjoy the beauty but make sure that you watch your steps when you visit Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Mountains road trip itinerary.
Mount Mitchell and elevated life (Milepost 355)
The North Carolina stretch of the road trip is the best part of the Blue Ridge Parkway to drive for very high elevations. That really shows at Mount Mitchell. At 6684 feet (2037 m) no one on the east side of Mississippi is as high up as you when you are at Mount Mitchell's summit.
The risk of visiting Mount Mitchell a cloudy day is big as most days up there are cloudy. Still Mount Mitchell is well worth a visit when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway even if it's cloudy.
You can get to within a quarter mile from the summit before you need to put on your walking boots and do the last part by foot. When you're at the summit of Mount Mitchell, you notice that the fauna is a bit different compared to the surrounding Appalachians because of the elevation change. The highest point east of Mississippi is both interesting and impressive to see when traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Asheville Pinball Museum on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary (Milepost 383)
Asheville is just like Roanoke and Blowing Rock a great place for a base when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a very picturesque town with fun Asheville things to do when visiting on the Blue Ridge Mountains road trip.
A contrast to other stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary is the pinball museum in Asheville. At Asheville's pinball museum you find about 80 pinball machines and vintage video games and visitors can play as much as they want. As you play your way through the pinball museum you find interesting history and facts along the way.
The museum is not very big but the amount of people allowed inside is restricted. So everyone can have a good time and find a game to play when visiting. At Asheville Pinball Museum people of all ages have fun together. A visit is a rewarding experience both for adults and younger travelers on a Blue Ridge Parkway family road trip.
Movie views in Chimney Rock State Park (Milepost 385)
Chimney Rock State Park delivers breathtaking views overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Lure. The highlight in the park and a Blue Ridge Parkway highlight is the panoramic view from the top of the famous Chimney Rock. To go up to the Chimney Rock observation point is spectacular and a wonderful way to appreciate the beautiful area.
The park is also great for stretching your legs. There are numerous trails in Chimney Rock State Park if you want to see more than just the views from Chimney Rock.
If you're interested in movie history you also have an extra reason to visit Chimney Rock State Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. Famous scenes in the movie Last of the Mohicans were filmed in the North Carolina state park. For even more movie nostalgia Lake Lure was also a filming location for the movie Dirty Dancing.
Visit America's largest home in Asheville (Milepost 389)
The Biltmore Estate is another great Blue Ridge Parkway attraction in Asheville. It's the largest home in America that is privately owned and one of the most unique Blue Ridge Parkway stops to make.
Biltmore was built in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt II and still to this day it belongs to the Vanderbilt family. With the size of 178,926 square feet (16 622.8 m2) the Biltmore Estate is truly an impressive stop on the Blue Ridge Mountains road trip. Both the inside of the grand house and the estate's grounds are interesting to explore when visiting.
Blue Ridge Parkway road trip part 4: Driving to Cherokee (Milepost 469)
- Driving distance: 80 mi / 129 km
- Driving time: 3 h
Part 4 is the last part of the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. From Asheville you have 80 miles (129 miles) to Cherokee. When you arrive at Cherokee you have driven all the 469 miles that the Blue Ridge Parkway consists of.
Black Balsam and its incredible vistas (Milepost 420)
The Art Loeb Trail, with its trailhead located just a short distance away from Milepost 420, takes you to some of the best vistas on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. And of all the peaks in the area the Black Balsam Knob is the most prominent peak.
Black Balsam is treeless and covered just with grass or low vegetation. Thanks to that the views at the Black Balsam summit are truly spectacular, with nothing blocking your sight. Black Balsam is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway highlights for undisturbed panoramic views.
If you feel adventurous when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway you can add to the Black Balsam Knob and also hike to two other summits. Sam Knob and Tennent Mountain are two other beautiful spots in the area to include on the Blue Ridge Mountains road trip.
Native history in Oconaluftee Indian Village (Milepost 469)
Oconaluftee at the end of the road just has to be a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary. It's a former Cherokee village about two miles south of where the parkway ends. The Oconaluftee Indian Village recreates life of an 18th century Cherokee village.
As you enter Oconaluftee Indian Village you are swept away all the way back to the 18th century. In the beautiful Appalachian environment you take part in craft demonstrations including pottery, weaponry, fingerweaving and basket making.
You also get to experience the replicas of traditional Cherokee homes and other community structures. And a fun extra touch in Oconaluftee Indian Village is the re-enactors who are dressed in traditional Cherokee clothing. Oconaluftee Indian Village is the perfect end of the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Route suggestion: When you reach Cherokee you have reached the end of America's Highway. The Blue Ridge Parkway has then taken you all the way from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia down to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To best explore the Smokies you should make the additional one hour drive from Oconaluftee up to Gatlinburg.
Additional stop: Visit the Smokies on the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip
- Driving distance: 35 mi / 56 km
- Driving time: 1 h
To go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. The Smokies that are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains is such a beautiful place to visit.
It's called the Great Smoky Mountains for the fog that naturally and frequently hangs over the mountain tops, appearing much like smoke plumes from a distance. From the nearby towns you comfortably can explore all that the area has to offer.
Cades Cove of the Smokies
Cades Cove is a unique spot in the Great Smoky Mountains that shouldn't be missed. It's an isolated valley that once upon a time was home to settlers. Cades Cove is really scenic with its valley floor contrasted by the rugged mountain tops.
The Great Smoky Mountains is also famous for its rich wildlife. So make sure that you show your best side when you meet the bears, white-tailed deer, hogs, turkeys, skunks and raccoons that call the Smokies their home.
Where to stay
In Gatlinburg you find all the places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, restaurants and attractions that you need for a great time in the mountains. Pigeon Forge is another popular town with more lodging and attractions including the famous Dollywood just slightly further from the park.
- Margaritaville Resort – Luxury in Gatlinburg with swimming pool and hot tub.
- Marshall's Creek Motel – Rustic and convenient in the heart of Gatlinburg.
Blue Ridge Parkway itineraries with days
For the ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip it's recommended to have 1 week or more. If you have less time you can also do a pacier Blue Ridge Parkway road trip with fewer nights in each town.
Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary (1 week)
- Day 1: Drive to Roanoke
- Day 1-3: Roanoke (2 nights)
- Day 3: Drive to Blowing Rock
- Day 3-5: Blowing Rock (2 nights)
- Day 5: Drive to Asheville
- Day 5-7: Asheville (2 nights)
- Day 7: Drive to Cherokee
Pacy Blue Ridge Parkway road trip itinerary (4 days)
- Day 1: Drive to Roanoke
- Day 1-2: Roanoke (1 night)
- Day 2: Drive to Blowing Rock
- Day 2-3: Blowing Rock (1 night)
- Day 3: Drive to Asheville
- Day 3-4: Asheville (1 night)
- Day 4: Drive to Cherokee
Blue Ridge Parkway road trip FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Where does the Blue Ridge Parkway start and end?
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles (755 km) from Afton in Virginia to Cherokee in North Carolina. The parkway links Shenandoah National Park in the north to the Great Smoky Mountains in the south.
How long does it take to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip?
It's recommended to have a week to fully enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. With an estimated driving time of 13 h for the Blue Ridge Parkway you will drive on average roughly 2 hours a day if you have a week. That gives you time to explore the things along the way.
Can you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in one day?
Completing the Blue Ridge Parkway takes 13 hours without stops included. So it's theoretically possible to make the Blue Ridge Parkway drive in just one day. However, it's strongly recommended not to do so. Even if you don't plan many stops you need at least two or three days to be able to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway.
What is the best time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway?
The best time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway is from May to September. In spring and summer the vegetation is very green. And autumn is a very popular time of the year because of the impressive fall foliage. Winter is the least good time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway due to the risk of road closures. The parkway is open year round but sections could be closed due to snow, ice, storm damage, maintenance and construction.
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Source: https://howtobookyourtrip.com/blue-ridge-parkway-road-trip/
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