The Blue Ridge Parkway is an iconic, 469-mile National Parkway that winds its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Dubbed "America's Favorite Drive," this road takes you through the heart of Appalachia, connecting Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Although traffic is heaviest during this time of year, my favorite time to drive on the Parkway is mid to late October to see peak fall foliage! Along the route, there are multiple overlooks to pull over at and enjoy incredible views. You'll see signage indicating when they are coming up, which is very helpful.
The Blue Ridge Mountains themselves are named for the blue haze that you'll see from the overlooks. This blue color comes from isoprene emitted by the dense forests. When this gas interacts with the ozone, sunlight, and water vapor in the air, the resulting haze scatters blue light, which is what we end up seeing!
Due to the presence of winding roads and tunnels, and to preserve the scenic nature of the drive, commercial vehicles are restricted from driving on the Parkway. This is enforced by the National Park Service, who manages the road.
For up-to-date road closures and weather conditions, click here.
For additional FAQs, click here.
Starting Location: Beginning of Blue Ridge Parkway, Afton, VA 22920
Starting GPS Location: 38.0316° N, 78.8584° W
Ending Location: Blue Ridge Parkway - Southern Terminus (Milepost 469), Blue Ridge Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719
Ending GPS Location: 35.5053° N, 83.3011° W
Parking: Multiple overlooks and visitor center lots
Length: 469 miles, one-way
Speed Limit: 25 to 45 miles per hour
Admission: Free
Road Hours: 24/7
Visitor Center Hours: May through October, 9:00a - 5:00p
Starting GPS Location: 38.0316° N, 78.8584° W
Ending Location: Blue Ridge Parkway - Southern Terminus (Milepost 469), Blue Ridge Pkwy, Cherokee, NC 28719
Ending GPS Location: 35.5053° N, 83.3011° W
Parking: Multiple overlooks and visitor center lots
Length: 469 miles, one-way
Speed Limit: 25 to 45 miles per hour
Admission: Free
Road Hours: 24/7
Visitor Center Hours: May through October, 9:00a - 5:00p
