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dramsey1's avatar
dramsey1
Explorer
May 14, 2016

Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Pkwy

We could use a little help with our trip planning. We plan to enter Skyline Drive at Front Royal and drive the full length of it. After this we will take the Blue Ridge Pkwy to the Smokey Mountain National Park. We have a 30 ft class A and may or may not bring our toad. Our height is approx. 12'2'' and this does exceed the height limit in a few places along the way. Does anyone have any experience with this trip? There seem to be some fuel stops and campgrounds along the way but I wonder if there are enough? Has anyone else found a route past the low bridge areas? We would appreciate any assistance that's offered.

16 Replies

  • I'll echo some of the thoughts. On the BRP in north Carolina. You will have to get off to get fuel. The Bluff near VA is the only place I know you can get gas on the Parkway itself.
    The campgrounds are all primitive, with no hookup, and only a Check in office where the Rangers hang out. However. They are great. The Parkway is an easy drive, and actually one of the better roads thru the Blue Ridge. However as mentioned. Pick the side roads you want to use with care. The hardest part of riding the BRP is getting to it. Highway 321 at Boone would be one of the better places to get off, and fuel. You will need to give yourself PLENTY of time if you try to run the complete Parkway. I would put aside at least a week.

    Avoid (trying) to go down highway 80, or 226.
    Also there are a few private CGs on, or at the parkway. Raccoone Holler, Miller Camp, and Bear Den have full hookups.

    And just to be clear. The BRP does NOT go into Tenn. It stops in Cherokee NC.
  • Okay, I will swim against the tide and suggest you think long and hard about traveling the entire route on the parkway.

    I've lived in VA all my life and lived in Roanoke and Bedford County near the parkway for years. We have traveled its entire length over the years but not all at one time. We pulled a 26' TT on portions of it.

    It is a beautiful road with much to see. However, it was built over 50 years ago when larger RV's were not on the roads. Much of it is windy and steep and slow going. Unfortunately, in places locals use it to commute. The max speed limit is 45 and in some places lower. During peak visit times (spring, fall), it will be full of motorcycles and other folks looking at the scenery. So expect to need to use the many pull outs to let folks get around you if you are slowing them down.

    Not saying don't do it but just be aware of some factors that do not make it a great road for most class A motorhomes.
  • I drove both without any problems. It's a great, not to be missed, drive.

  • I think you'll enjoy the trip. From Front Royal to Afton MT. is only 100 mi. I believe there is a campground at Big Meadow on the skyline. I64 crosses on top of Afton so another fuel stop. When you get to Roanoke about mp 120 the BRP crosses us 220 there is a Walleymart about mile south and Roanoke is about a mile north. At mp 175 is Mabry Mill a must stop. A mile after you cross us52 at Meadows of Dan good fuel stop and I think a campground you will fit into. Why am I telling you all this? Stop at any facility and pick up a Blue Ridge Parkway directory & travel planner. Happy trails
  • I looked into the low tunnels for my rig which is 11' 5". Apparently, since they are arched, if you straddle the line you can get thru with just about anything.
    How many fuel stops do you need? I can go well over 300 miles on a tank. You should only have to stop once or twice. Stick to the main roads. A great place to get on and off would be at route 250 on Afton Mountain. This is where Skyline Drive ends and the BRP begins. Going down the mountain on 250 to Waynesboro, VA gives you lots of options for fuel, groceries, restaurants, Wall Mart, etc.
    Also, you can get off near Roanoke, VA which also has plenty of things to see.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    You probably would be wise to download one of the maps of the parkway that show the locations for fuel on the Blue Ridge... There is a camp ground just about every 50 miles or so along the 420 mile trip... Only a few fuel stations and I really don't know how late the stay open probably 10PM... There is also the Linn Cove Viaduct 1,243-foot (379 milepost) concrete segmental bridge which snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Thats kinda neat for large RV's haha... Also be aware the tunnels are peaked in the middle so you may need to ride the centerline going through them.. Flashing your lights will help and most folks coming the other way will see your RV unit and kinda know what to expect and wait for you to get thru... Thank goodness they are not very long tunnels.

    What you don't want to do with your bigger rig is just take any road exit off the Blue Ridge looking for a fuel station. Some of those narrow roads down off the mtn are very loop back up near the parkway... I would plan my fuel stops at the major roads that cross the parkway...

    We have done the trip to Gatlingburg a few times but was either Tent camping and only one trip with my OFF-ROAD Popup camper. Lots of curves and small hills with 35-45MPH speed limits. Also alot of Deer crossing the roadway at dusk....

    You don't really see alot of Motor Home type RV's on the parkway but there is a few... The campgrounds were originally built for Tent Camping and not a whole lot of camping space room for the bigger RV's. They do come however...

    Most of the campgrounds have a camp store but no fuel available but the hours mostly during the day time. There is generally a WAY Station on the prkway associated with the campground that has fuel.

    There is also alot of motorcycle traffic on the parkway which you have to watch for close as they are not noticed until they are right on top of you... The only wrecks I have ever seen on the parkway involved motorcycles... when there are 20-30 of them together they sort of own the roadway haha... There is also some bicycle traffic as well between two major road crossings... When someone sees a bear or something neat they usually pull just off the roadway and this then catches everyone elses attention and they too will pull off. Roadway may be partially blocked here just around the very large curve you just got into with poor visibility...

    If you are in a hurry to get from point A to Point b this is not the way to go. For the most part I81 follows the parkway all the way to I40 in TN.

    Roy Ken