Driving from Washington to Charlotte via Blue Ridge Parkway

Hi We are driving from Washington to Charlotte and would like to go via the Blue Ridge Parkway. We do realise this will add several hours to the trip but want to make the most of the views.

We live in Australia. A friend of a friend has suggested heading west from Washington to Luray and then perhaps to Lexington/Buena Vista and Roanoke then onto Charlotte.

We are thinking it might be best to stay overnight along the way, just so we can take it slowly and soak up the views etc. We are thinking we%26#39;d also like to visit Luray Caves.

Is this looking like the best route for us? Any suggestions of the best location to stay overnight?

Thanks.

Driving from Washington to Charlotte via Blue Ridge Parkway

It%26#39;s a great idea to take in the BRP, the scenery is beautiful, lots of overlooks. From Wash. DC, go to Front Royal (I66) for the entrance to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive is part of the BRP). The BRP is designated by milepost and this is the beginning, mp 0. There is a visitor%26#39;s center at mp 5, Dickey Ridge VC. You can also get BRP maps %26amp; info online or AAA, and check www.nps.gov/shen. Luray is at about mp 32 and the Luray Caverns are wonderful, tours are offered every hour or so. There a 2 lodges in Shenandoah NP, Skyland (mp 41) and Big Meadows (mp 51), but you will probably be beyond them at the time you want to stop for the night (in fact you%26#39;ll likely be out of Shenandoah NP unless you stop for hiking, lots of great hikes). Skyline Dr becomes BRP at about Waynesboro Va and continues to Cherokee NC at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain Natl Park. I%26#39;m not sure where you want ot exit the BRP to go to Charlotte NC. You could go to Asheville NC, exit BRP, take I40E to I77S to Charlotte. Hope this helps, enjoy your trip. Happy trails.

Driving from Washington to Charlotte via Blue Ridge Parkway

Great answer. And Canberra, realize the speed limit is slower too and that lengthens your drive. You would need to spend the night somewhere.

I like the idea of continuing to Asheville and maybe visiting the Biltmore and then cutting across to Charlotte if you have time.

Thank you for your help. We are travelling to Charlotte to stay a couple of nights with friends. Then we are heading to Nashville and intend to stop at Ashville and visit Biltmore on the way.

If you haven%26#39;t decided yet where to exit the BRP, consider exiting at I77 near Galex Va,then take I77 to Charlotte. Galex is well known for the Rex Theatre (live bluegrass, gospel, country music on Fri%26#39;s, classic movies on Sat%26#39;s), check out www.visitgalax.com for more information. You will enjoy your time in Asheville, nice town. If you have time, from Asheville, drive to Cherokee NC and take Route 441 through Great Smoky Mountain Natl Park. It%26#39;s about a 45 minute drive through the Park from Cherokee to Gatlinburg TN. In the Park, follow the sign for Clingman%26#39;s Dome, that will take another 30 minutes but it not to be missed if time allows. No hiking required, the road ends in a parking lot with unbelievable views. Return to RT441, which will take you to I40W and on to Nashville. If you will be traveling before April check road conditions beacuse it may be closed (due to snow), www.nps.gov/grsm

Happy Trails.

If you stay on the BRP past the end of Skyline Pkwy, you will pass the Peaks of Otter in Bedford,Va. This would be an excellent place to stay. It also has a lovely restaurant %26amp; awesome views.

It%26#39;s so hard to decide when time is so limited! Thanks so much everyone for your input. Another Canberran has suggest we go from Washington to Charlottesville (to see Monticello) and then head to the BRP along the 64. Will we miss the best views if we don%26#39;t head to the front Royal or are the views stunning all along the way? I think I know the answer already but I just HAVE to ask!!!

There are no crummy views on the BRP; your idea to go to Charlottesville (nice town) then on to the BRP is a good one. Have a wonderful trip.

I was driving on the BRP today and there was a closed section in Va south of Waynesboro (due to a fire I think, never had this problem before). Keep this phone number handy, 828 2980398, it%26#39;s the BRP info line; you can get recorded info about closures, weather, etc. Happy trails.

Thanks very much. I have added that number to my itinerary. It would be a good idea before we set off.