Skyline Drive/ Blue Ridge Parkway -How Busy?
 

During peak fall foilage season, how busy do these roads actually get? Busy, very busy or unbearable?

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Remember the lowered speed limit on those roads contributes, too.

Well, you can't go very fast even when they are empty and everyone is out doing the same thing (enjoying the view) so other than the pullouts (parking for viewpoints) being crowded, you shouldn't have any problems.

The good thing about the BRP is you can get off at the next exit point and move faster on secondary roads and interstates if you find the pace is too slow for you.

Although the Parkway can get quite crowded during peak fall foliage season, it's still quite enjoyable if you go in the right frame of mind.

If you suddenly find yourself behind a large RV slowly chugging uphill, instead of getting huffy about it, just enjoy the slow pace and the chance to see more than you would if you were ripping down the road.

The maximum speed limit anywhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway is 45 mph. It is meant to be a slow, meandering visit to the tops of the mountains. There are lots of pull-offs to the side with small parking lots and awesome scenic views.

Many slow moving vehicles will have the courtesy to get out of your way at the next available place.

Also, it is legal to pull over all along the parkway, unless you are in a designated area where the water is used downhill for drinking purposes. There will be signs alerting you to the fact that you are in such an area.

So....you can pull over, get out, find nearby hiking trails for a little stroll in the woods, linger at nice overlooks, etc.

If you can find yourself surrounded by all of that beauty and be annoyed by traffic, as was suggested earlier, you can just get off at the next exit.

It's not a road that was intended for quick travel between destinations, so if you're in a hurry the best thing you can do is use nearby highways.

Plus, if you have a breakdown, there will be quite a few people who will be out there to help you.

If you go on the southern part of the Parkway south of Asheville, fill up with gas BEFORE you get on the Blue Ridge. There are no gas stations anywhere on that stretch. The only one that used to be out there is now closed for environmental reasons. If you run low, you'll have to get off and drive a bit of a distance to the nearest filling station.

Thanks for all the help. But I have a couple more questions. We were looking to spend the first night at the Peaks of Otter Lodge and then drive to Blowing Rock the next day. According to the maps that is about 210 miles of driving. is that going to be too much driving for one day at that time of the year? Would we do better to go futher than the Peaks of Otter the first day (maybe Roanoke)?