These photos and captions were actually taken from a 15-state SE USA Road Trip Vacation my Wife and I took in June of 2007, but we decided next time we could drive part of the beautiful and peaceful Blue Ridge Parkway as a 3-day affordable "Add On" or overnight 2 or 3-day trip from a Vacation to Virginia Beach.
The Parkway is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Virginia Beach to get on it near the town of Roanoke off of Hwy 460 from Richmond or to get off of the Parkway near the town of Waynesboro off of I-64 that goes through Richmond back to Virginia Beach at the end of the trip. This route would allow about 7 hours driving time on the Parkway allowing for fact that drivers usually only average about 25 MPH with all of the Scenic pulloffs and Visitor Center stops + the 45 MPH speed limit.
Two days is really not enough to see all there is to see driving on this Educational and very Scenic Road Attraction. A Historic Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation Road Trip could actually start at at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park south of Asheville, NC, and include driving the entire length of the 469 Mile long Parkway north through North Carolina and Virginia to the northern end near Waynesboro, VA near I-64 from Richmond and Virginia Beach.
This full length trip would take a minimum of 3 days driving time on the Parkway if you took time to enjoy all of the Scenic Overlooks and Visitors Centers.
Fall Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation - Photos and Tips - Our recent Fall driving tour on the very colorful Blue Ridge Parkway in mid October - a Fall Getaway Vacation or some cheap "Add on Days" to a Virginia Beach Vacation.
Google Map Route for Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation (part of the I-64 route from Richmond southeast to Virginia Beach is cut off in this map image) - 2 day add on version from Virginia Beach. Get on Blue Ridge Parkway at south end of this driving route near Roanoak, VA -- Finish scenic Parkway drive and get off at northern end of Parkway near Wayensboro, VA. To Interactive Google Route Map above. Note the new Google feature that allows you to "drag" their suggested route from a highway or interstate over to the slower Blue Ridge Parkway map route.
Tip - We and others we have talked to have only averaged about 25 MPH on the parkway with all of the stops and the low speed limit. It is a peaceful drive.
There are many great points of interest, scenic pull offs, parks, and Visitors Centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so allow at least twice as much time as you regularly would allow for the distance traveled for your driving time on the parkway. The speed limit on the Parkway is 45 MPH in most areas, and 35 MPH in some areas.
Tip - Would recommend driving your Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation from South to North so as to be driving with the sun to your back Vs driving into the sun. (Also works better for the many pictures you will want to take!)
The drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is through some some very scenic forested mountain areas - you will see some beautiful Fall Foliage colors if you are considering that time of year.
Tip - Since there is a lot of time spent driving in the car looking at scenery, if you take kids along on this trip, the kids may get very bored just riding in the car. Bring many things for them to do as they ride and plan on doing "Pit Stops" at all of the Visitors centers along the way. (See our Top Pick Kids Travel Game Activities page.)
Actually don't think would recommend the Blue Ridge Parkway Drive as an activity that young kids will enjoy -- and thus the Parents will enjoy the scenic drive less when the kids start complaining about the long ride in the car. -- "Are we there yet?"
A few Pictures from our beautiful and peaceful mid June 2007 Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation drive are below so you can see why this is a "Must See" minimum 2 or 3 day trip or "add-on" trip for your Virginia Beach Vacation.
Blue Ridge Parkway Photos & Comments
We got on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern end of our drive near Blowing Rock, NC which is just east of Boone.
This was the Parkway Craft Center Visitors Center in an old Mansion located in the Moses Cone Memorial Park along the Parkway near the interesting town of Blowing Rock.
Carrol Gap Scenic Overlook. There were many Scenic Pulloffs along our Blue ridge Parkway Vacation route.
See bottom of page for free picture download and use instructions for photos on this page - also for High Resolution Photo download links
Another Scenic Pulloff on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed in the 1930's as a make work project during the depression.
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