Labor Day Road Trip: DC to Asheville
 

A friend and I are heading to a wedding in Asheville, NC over Labor Day. We live in NYC and thought it'd be fun to go the slow route and drive down through the Blue Ridge Mts to Asheville, after spending a night or two with friends in DC.

In our book it looks like we pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway near Charlottesville VA and take it all the way down to Asheville, right? Here's what I was thinking for a route:

-Wednesday night: NYC to DC
-Thursday day/night: DC
-Friday: DC to Charlottesville, then head over to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Camp that night along the route.
-Saturday morning: Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville.

Has anyone done this drive/have any suggestions for what to do or where to camp along the route? Or do you have any ideas for an alternative route back? (we'd be up for either a different scenic route or just something that gets us home quickly)

Thanks!

I've done most of the BRP, there site may be helpful in identifying possible camping spots. Also, there are a bevy of good wineries in & around Charlottesville.

That sounds like fun. The Parkway can be slow at times so factor that into your plans. Is the wedding on Saturday?

The Blue Ridge Parkway from I64 through I77 is pleasant. Past that, it turns into something you don't expect on the east coast and is not to be missed. If you've got plenty of time, drive it all the way. But, if there's any chance that you might choose to opt out for part of the drive, take the interstate in the northern section and the BRP further south.

Thanks everyone! The wedding is on Saturday, so that's really helpful to know the "must-see" parts of the route in case we're in a rush to get there. I also think I'd rather cut the day in DC and have an extra day on the road if necessary (visit DC multiple times a year, but haven't spent much time in Virginia/NC).

Oops, sorry, I meant that the wedding is on Sunday. But we hope to be in Asheville by Saturday!

I might head over to Skyline Drive and start there...maybe spend the night camping or lodging in one of the places there.

We did this trip many years ago, but spent a week travelling down.

We also enjoyed Blowing Rock, NC as a stopover.

You can start further north on Skyline Drive, but I'd probably go with going through Charlottesville and taking some time to visit Monticello and/or UVA.