The Blue Ridge Parkway..

gaijindabe · 06-05-2006, 11:16 AM

Can the Blue Ridge Parkway be driven from one end to the other in a reasonable amount of time?

Basically, I am driving from Baltimore to Mobile, Alabama this week and want to stay off the interstates as mush as possible and see some of the South East... Any ideas?

Rot 911 · 06-05-2006, 11:31 AM

If you like going 30-40 mph the whole way you should enjoy it.

gaijindabe · 06-05-2006, 11:36 AM

That is what I am afraid off. Retirees and motorhomes, huh?

What other North - South roads exist?

Jim Richards · 06-05-2006, 11:40 AM

It's because it runs through national parks, where you have slow moving tourists and park police that will gladly give you a ticket for speeding.

Jims5543 · 06-05-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaijindabe
Can the Blue Ridge Parkway be driven from one end to the other in a reasonable amount of time?

Basically, I am driving from Baltimore to Mobile, Alabama this week and want to stay off the interstates as mush as possible and see some of the South East... Any ideas?

You cannot make really good time on it but will enjoy the ride. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends. The posted speed limit is 40 so you really can not make good time.

If I take it from my house to Asheville it takes about 1.5 hours. If I take the highways and Interstate the same trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

If you can budget an extra day of driving into your trip I strongly suggest you drive its entire length. It will be a drive you will never forget. I have driven it from the North Carolina border at the north to its southern terminus 16 years ago and still look back at that drive and smile.

Seahawk · 06-05-2006, 01:04 PM

Jim is right on the money...and the great thing about the BRPW is that you can easily jump off and hit an interstate should time or lodging become an issue.

rouxroux · 06-05-2006, 01:09 PM

Beautiful drive, but like the Natchez Trace Parkway, the federales strictly enforce the speed, and the last time I went it was "instant-on" Ka city...Drive it if you have LOTS of time...

onlycafe · 06-05-2006, 01:11 PM

you might try us highway 11, runs from canada to irish bayou, louisiana. it kind of runs along interstate 81 which becomes 75 and eventually 59 as you go south . should run you real close to mobile and afford you all the small towns and diners you would like. when you get bored or antsy, jump on the interstate and do some fast make up miles.
by all means check out the dragon,a worthwhile detour along the tennessee/ north carolina border. [highway 129]. you'll be glad you did.

wilke3169 · 06-05-2006, 03:53 PM

You can't make good time but I am certainly a fan of the parkway. I second procons comment about the rangers, I have never seen one. The twisties maintain a safe speed where needed. Never get out of third gear but the scenery is well worth it if you have the time.

Rick V · 06-05-2006, 03:55 PM

We use the BRPW for funruns, never heard a peep from the V1. Trust me 40mph was left in the mirror. If you are going to take that route, slow down and enjoy it. It taks me about 20 min to get to it and I do it all the time just to relax. My wife and I even have a great spot we go to just to watch the sun set.

Jims5543 · 06-05-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by procon
As I recall, we made pretty good time to Cherokee & back.

Yes we did, I am dying to get back up there!!

gaijindabe never indicated if this was a p-car trip or what mode of transportation. If your in a Dodge pickemup like I have it will take all you have ot break the speed limit.

In the P-car? Yeah 40 was seen twice, once when we first got on the parkway and once when we were slowing back down.

KFC911 · 06-06-2006, 05:03 AM

I don't think it's feasible to do the BRPW for most of your trip from Baltimore to Mobile unless you want to allocate virtually the whole week to driving. That would not necessarily be a bad thing, but enjoy the scenery and the drive in itself, because you probably would not make decent time. Since it's approximately a 1000K mile trip (approx 20 hrs via interstate according to Google), it would easily take twice that long imo on the BRPW. I'd opt for a route that would let you jump on the BRPW for several hours at a time (and don't limit yourself to the Pkwy, there are many alternate state roads, etc. that are just as 'good') and break each day's driving into a "let's enjoy the route portions" and a "let's cover some miles" portion. I like to start out the day on the 'twisties', and then switch to "let's cover some miles" mode for the latter part of the day. Pull out a map (seems easier with map instead of online), and pick out a tentative route that combines both the 'twisties' and a portion of the 'faster routes' (but not necessarily Interstates), and have fun!

gaijindabe · 06-06-2006, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onlycafe
you might try us highway 11, runs from canada to irish bayou, louisiana. it kind of runs along interstate 81 which becomes 75 and eventually 59 as you go south . should run you real close to mobile and afford you all the small towns and diners you would like. when you get bored or antsy, jump on the interstate and do some fast make up miles.

This sounds good. At least in one direction. I have 3 days down and 3 days back.. Thanks guys - if I see anything interesting - will be sure to post pics.

id10t · 06-06-2006, 06:22 AM

I think there are impressions of my fingers still on the passenger grab handle from when Dad picked me up at summer camp in N Carolina and we did the BRPKW "at speed" in the 356...