peggy01

We will be visiting family in Greenville, SC the third week of October, before driving up to Williamsburg, VA. I'd like suggestions on the best route to take. Hopefully the fall foliage will be in full color at that time. If so, I would like to take the more scenic route, providing it doesn't add several hours on to our trip. (I will have a bored teenager in the car with me!) So, which is the most scenic way to go, and how does it compare time-wise with the most direct way to go?

xrae

Scenic route:

North on US 25E from Greenville to I-26. Take to Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. Travel north on Parkway to Roanoke. Take US 460 W toward Richmond. Then consult a map to get from 460 directly south of Richmond to Virginia Hwy 5 a little southeast of town, which will take you to Williamsburg. (I tell people to use that highway a lot -- but I haven't traveled on it in a few years. Could be it's not that charming anymore. Maybe someone else could chime in? But I remember two lanes, tree-shaded, and lots of plantations along the way.)

I'd allow two days for the scenic trip just so you're not rushed. And speed limit on the Parkway is about 40mph.

Not-So-Scenic Route:
I-85 to Richmond, I-64 to Williamsburg.

If you take 460 you'll pass historic sites like Appamatox Courthouse, the D-Day memorial in Bedford, and Thomas Jefferson's home Poplar Forest. You can also visit http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/prog-byways.asp to order a map of Virginia's scenic roads. It's a great map, I use it a lot.

peggy01

Thank you, xrae. That's very helpful. I appreciate it.

Gretchen

Travel during the week so you don't need to worry about hotel availability if it is high foliage season.

Hellion

To answer xrae, Route 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg is still a lovely route. Two-lane, winding road, past numerous old plantations. It's pretty easy to get to from downtown Richmond (you pretty much go east on Main St. and keep going). If you take 460 to the Richmond area, it more comes in down around Petersburg, which is about 30 minutes south of Richmond, so you'd have to take I-95 up to the city to pick up 5.

stevebarr

Peggy01 -

xrae's route is sheer perfection is you want a truly scenic route. Bear in mind that you will hit a bit of heavy traffic on 25 heading out of Greenville, with a bunch of red lights for a while, but they will vanish quickly and you'll find yourself cruising along at a nice clip after that.

However, if your family is located east of Greenville, in the direction of Spartanburg.....you might want to take I-85 North to 1-26 West towards Asheville, then pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Hendersonville.

I doubt that the teenager could get bored on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There's just too much to see, and the views in October should be spectacular.

peggy01

I appreciate all the feedback. Thank you everyone - this is great information. I have a question, we were thinking about taking the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way from Roanoke to Staunton and then heading through Charlottesville and back down to Williamsburg. Is that just too long? We've always heard what a beautiful drive the Blue Ridge Parkway is. Will taking the 460 all the way to the 5 be just as scenic?

Steve, my relatives live in Mauldin. I believe that's south of Greenville. We'll be heading out of town on a Sunday morning. So hopefully traffic won't be too bad. You may be right about my daughter. She does appreciate beautiful places - and we're coming from California, where she has never really seen a "true" fall. I can't wait for October!

Thanks everyone!

xrae

I think whether to take the BRP to Staunton and then I-64 to Wburg, or whether to hop off at Roanoke, depends on how much time you have or how many times you want to stop at the overlooks on the Parkway. It's not a road for anyone in a rush. I-64 between Staunton and Wburg is not scenic, so even if you finish the Parkway near twilight you'll not be missing much scenery along I-64 if you want to head directly to Williamsburg.

US 460 is a four-lane highway and you can make ok time. Where the BRP follows the mountain ridge, 460 is in the valley. It's a pretty drive, and preferable to the Interstate. And as I mentioned earlier, there are some interesting places to stop along the way.

So ... running short on time, US460. More leisurely pace, BRP/I-64.

peggy01

Thank you. I do have one more question.

I just found out that a relative may be in Charlotte the same week we are in Greenville. I was thinking we might hook up for a day when we head out to Williamsburg. If we head out of Greenville on the 85 to Charlotte, and then took the 77 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, would we be missing anything really special by not jumping on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville?

xrae

You'll be missing the tallest mountains -- Mt. Mitchell is just outside Asheville. Orchard at Altapass. Little Switzerland area. Maybe Mabry Mill, I don't remember where it is in relation to I-77. But it's all pretty. Taking 77 will also put you near Yadkin Valley wineries in N.C.

stevebarr

If mountain views and breathtaking fall scenery are what you're after, you'll definitely miss a lot if you take 77. 77 can get very congested at different times of the day, there's a good chance you'll encounter construction zones, and that route will cause you to miss some of the most awesome parts of the Parkway.

Also, be aware that there is currently a large construction project going on at the peak of Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain on the east coast. They are building a new observation tower and working on some of the trails, so the best views will be from the parking lot.

If you have the time and don't mind breathing heavily, a nice alternative would be to park at Craggy Gardens and stretch your legs.

Coming from Asheville, you'll find a small ranger station with a little gift shop inside on the left hand side of the road at Craggy Gardens. (It's a good place to stop if anyone in the car needs a restroom.) Just past that, arond the next bend, you'll see a parking lot on the left side of the Parkway.

Pull in there, and take the trail up to the top of the mountain. It is not a long hike (way less than a mile) and is awesome. You'll breathe heavily at times, but you'll be at the top in no time. The trail features gnarled, ancient rhododendron plants and weathered trees that have somehow managed to survive decades of harsh weather.

Then, at the top, you will find a rustic stone platform with rock walls and benches that will give you 360 degree views of the mountains stretching out below you.

Is there any chance your relative could come down to visit you in Mauldin, instead of you having to alter your route and miss such a fantastic part of the Parkway?

My teenage nieces came down from New Jersey to visit one time, and when we drove that stretch of the Parkway they got teary-eyed from the beauty of it all, and all they kept muttering was "Wow!" while their cameras kept clicking away.

One other tip....from Mauldin, while you're visiting.....you might enjoy popping up to Route 11 (the Scenic Cherokee Highway). Take that north towards Polk County, North Carolina. The flatlands of South Carolina will be on your right, the mountains of North Carolina will be on your left. There are very pretty stretches along the way, and several nice state parks to enjoy.

Depending on how things go this year, you might catch fall foliage all along the way on 11, or you might still see the green foliage before it has begun to turn.

xrae

There really are a lot of options, aren't there. Last night I was thinking of 321 north to Boone/Blowing Rock and the Parkway. I try to take a different route from Charlotte through the mountains to my home every time I have to go that way. And you're right, SC 11 is nice as well. Decisions, decisions!

Again, I think it just depends on how much time the OP has to spend on the drive. You can zip zip on the Interstate, or meander to your heart's content.

peggy01

It looks like our plans are changing daily. My in-laws are now going to be in Tennessee instead of Charlotte. The current plan is to meet up with them in Gatlinburg one day and spend the following day in Asheville, touring the Biltmore, etc. before driving down to Mauldin.

At least this will allow us to to follow our original plan and take the Blue Ridge Parkway through Asheville and into Virginia.

Steve, the hike near Craggy Gardens sounds lovely. It should be the perfect place to get out and stretch our legs - I am definitely going to follow up on that.

It is mind boggling how many options there are. I'm leaning towards taking the parkway all the way through Lexington, but from there it's really up in the air. There are so many places we want to see - two days will not be enough time to do it all!

How much time do you need to tour the natural bridge and the caverns in Lexington? Are the caverns similar to those in Luray? We've been wanting to see the Luray Caverns, but I know we can't squeeze that in on this trip. Would the natural bridge caverns be worth stopping for?

I have so many questions, I could go on forever - but I will leave you with those for now. Thanks for all your help!