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I'm planning to do this drive this month. Google says it's about 650 miles (Routes 78 to 81) or about ten hours. But I don't want to rush and instead drive part of the way via Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. So considering a 2-day trip, where should I put in the first day after leaving NJ?
I will be traveling solo (male) and am an avid photographer. Tips regarding where to go, where to stay , where to eat are invited.
thanks.
Terry
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New Jersey to Asheville, NC
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You have a great trip planned - you can't beat the views and photo ops. Where to go: At 35mph you'll see that things work out to keep you going with unlimited views (if it is a clear day). You might check out the National Park Service site www.nps.gov for specifics. At this season there is no concern re reservations. Enjoy.
If you do go out to i 81 and start south, take the little detour to Harper's Ferry. The park service runs shuttles from the visitor's center down to town. Then 81 to 66 to Front Royal where you can pick up the Skyline Drive and meander down. As I recall there are not many places to stay on Skyline/Blue Ridge but at the major intersections especially to the west there are motel/hotels. There are also places to stay in Front Royal.
The other consideration is that they close parts of the parkway if there is significant snow, so check the weather before you start out. Since 81 parallels the parkway, you can go south either and switch to the other route when there is no snow.
Have a great trip.
I love the BRP but the pace can be really slow for those of us used to really making "good time" on the road. I was surprised at how impatient I was and changed my routing accordingly.
So, plan to drive a lot of it, but don't be surprised if you opt out for a faster route. Having said that, my favorite "don't miss" portions are Skyline Drive and the part that includes the Linn Cove viaduct -
http://www.romanticasheville.com/linn_cove_viaduct.htm
If you get off near Boone, be sure to drive around the beautiful valley of Valle Crucis - and visit the original Mast General store. It's one of my favorite things to do -
http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/valle_crucis.cfm
Thanks for your responses. But my question was in asking where I should stay after my first day or traveling? Has anyone made this trip? What time should I start out Saturday and where should I end up the first day?
As for staying, I always pick up a "Roomsaver" magazine that has discount coupons and maps with locations of hotels/motels along the major roads as well as the other things offered (wifi, free breakfast, etc.). There are plenty of chain type places near the major intersections along the interstates and they are accessible from the roads crossing BRP. When to start and where you stay will depend on how long you want to drive each day and what you encounter for weather, traffic etc. I'm a morning person so we always start out early, if you start on Saturday rush hour traffic should not be a concern.
without knowing exactly how far you'll get on the first day, it's hard to advise where to stay. Some places we've stayed and liked (going in the opposite direction Georgia to New England):
Harper's Ferry. It's fairly near Skyline Drive (north end of BRP so you could stay there and then get up fresh and ready to drive. But that doesn't seem to be very far from NJ.
Roanoke, VA is fairly far south, but once you get south of Roanoke, the BRP is through mountainous country and is very slow going, particularly as you are going to want to take advantage of the scenic turnoffs along the Parkway.
Front Royal, Luray, and Waynesboro, Virginia, are between the two extremes and close to the Parkway.
second emalloy re using the coupon books--get them at the tourist welcome facility at the border, but use them in conjunction with TripAdvisor or another site that rates hotels and motels. However, almost all the motels are along the interstates. Alternatively, Google "Blue Ridge Parkway" and click on "trip planner"--you'll get a list of various lodging alternatives that are not far from the Parkway. There are some lodging facilities directly on the Parkway, but they may be closed at that time of year, particularly those farther south, which are in the Mountains.
Have a great trip!