Blueridge Parkway questionsPlaning a trip on the Blueridge Parkway and my cousin told me it is kind of narrow. My question is there any problem pulling a fifth wheeler on there? Anyone been there, also is there much of a incline?TIA, Bob

I never tell a fellow rv'er not to do something but we always have a home base and travel the parkway on the truck. There are some low tunnels and sharp curves that may not be the best thing pulling a fiver. Generally all the scenic pullovers are heavily travelled during the fall season and I think you would be hard pressed to find enough room to pull over and enjoy the scenery.This year as in past years we are staying a week closer to the southern end and then moving up north and staying another week. We enjoy that since it is stress free for us and allows us to travel the parkway in ease.

Campinghoss@51 wrote:I never tell a fellow rv'er not to do something but we always have a home base and travel the parkway on the truck. There are some low tunnels and sharp curves that may not be the best thing pulling a fiver. Generally all the scenic pullovers are heavily travelled during the fall season and I think you would be hard pressed to find enough room to pull over and enjoy the scenery.This year as in past years we are staying a week closer to the southern end and then moving up north and staying another week. We enjoy that since it is stress free for us and allows us to travel the parkway in ease.I was thinking this very same thing. Find a nice RV park and park your rig and explore the parkway with your ride. The parkway has lots of curves and hills(mountains to climb). Was there over the Labor day (the very southern end) holiday and it was crowded.randy

Generally the lanes are 10-feet wide with grass shoulders. Yes, there are inclines. Elevation on the Parkway varies between 600 feet (around milepost 65) and 6000 feet (around milepost 430).Depending on the height of your rig, a couple of the tunnels may require you driving in the center of the road. For example, here are some heights for the Bunches Bald TunnelHeight at the edge line: 10' 6"Height at the center line: 18' 4"Height 1' from edge line: 11.98'Height 2' from edge line: 13.31' - Driver's side is on center line.Height 3' from edge line: 14.48'Can you do it? Yes.I would find it more enjoyable to find base camps off the Parkway and explore the Parkway in my tow vehicle.Tom

http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/tunnel-heights.htm

I have driven the Blue Ridge Parkway many, many times. It is a wonderful drive, and very doable in any type of vehicle. The road lanes are plenty wide and almost every mile of it with very wide adequate shoulders. Most of the road is smooth, but there are smooth rough pavement as well. There are a few steep inclines, but frankly you will experience much worse roads and inclines on the roads outside the parkway than on the parkway. Don't let those tunnels fool you. Everyone is very doable WITHOUT driving down the middle of the road. The tunnels are arched, so at the very edge there is a low clearance. That will not bother any vehicle unless you intend to sideswipe the tunnel walls.

Blueridge Parkway questions | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
fj12ryder wrote:
Have they lowered the speed limit? When I drove it the speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway was 45 mph, and 35 mph on Skyline Drive.

You are correct. (I just looked it up.) I was thinking they were both the same. Senior moment!

I found a FAQ link that may be helpful: http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=76

Wayne
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2015
Have they lowered the speed limit? When I drove it the speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway was 45 mph, and 35 mph on Skyline Drive.
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
holstein13 wrote:
I had the brilliant idea of driving my 31 ft MH (previous coach) from Asheville to Virginia a few years ago. Northeast of Asheville, the tunnels were much taller and I had no problems staying safely in my lane but, oh my, what a slow painful ride it was. I was well below the speed limit annoying everyone behind me and couldn't enjoy the parkway at all because I was focused on steering and staying in my lane on the curves. I think I averaged about 20 MPH and after 3 hours of that, I abandoned my plans and got off the parkway.

Of course I ended up on the windiest, smallest side road to get off the parkway to the highway and I vowed never to attempt that again.

If you’re ever passing through the heart of West Virginia, you may want to stick to the Interstates and other 4-lane roads. ;)

We drove the Parkway by car from Asheville to Roanoke two years ago just after Labor Day on our return home from a visit to Savannah. We took 2 days to cover this distance. The purpose was not to get from point A to point B, but to enjoy this part of the trip. We stopped at the vast majority of overlooks and explored all of the museums and exhibits along the way, including walking to the top of Mt. Mitchell. In that season, we had the Parkway almost to ourselves, which was nice.

To respond to the OP’s questions: I would not hesitate to take a 5th wheel over that road. I’ve driven my motorhome over narrower, steeper, and much more crooked roads here in WV (but no tunnels, yet). The speed limit on the Parkway is 35 mph and you should not be much of an impediment to other motorists. In the event you should back up some traffic, it is never far to the next pull-off and you can get out of the way if necessary.

I will confirm the warnings to be cautious about roads you take to exit the Parkway. Some are very narrow and crooked. Stick to the state or US routes for exits and you are sure to be fine.

I guess a lot would depend on your comfort level with your rig and your ability to take it easy and enjoy the journey.

Wayne
TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
holstein13 wrote:
I had the brilliant idea of driving my 31 ft MH (previous coach) from Asheville to Virginia a few years ago. Northeast of Asheville, the tunnels were much taller and I had no problems staying safely in my lane but, oh my, what a slow painful ride it was. I was well below the speed limit annoying everyone behind me and couldn't enjoy the parkway at all because I was focused on steering and staying in my lane on the curves. I think I averaged about 20 MPH and after 3 hours of that, I abandoned my plans and got off the parkway.

Of course I ended up on the windiest, smallest side road to get off the parkway to the highway and I vowed never to attempt that again.

I think I saw you there! ;) We were the people who passed you riding 2 motorcycles. We passed you just after that old lady walking her dog did. We followed you for 10 miles and finally had to pass you in a sharp curve. Everyone's welcome, just drive your toad next time and visit again. You'll have way more fun.
TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
wbwood wrote:
Here's a video of us driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple weekends ago. Road is plenty wide enough. Winding? Yes, it's primarily in the mountains. And yes you will encounter some grade. You sohuld be able to traverse all the tunnels, but look at the NPS website to for the tunnel heights and know what the height is per tunnel (side vs middle). If uncomfortable with it, get off the parkway.

Watched you video and that section looks do-able. The south end has sharper curves and you have to be careful where you "get off the parkway". A lot of the roads that go to the parkway are worse (we call them "better" on motorcycles) than the parkway. I'd hate to end up on Hwy 215 or 151 in NC as my "exit" road. You could get on/off at Hwy 19 or Hwy 74/23. I'd really study a map or GPS before trying any road in that area.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
holstein13 wrote:
I had the brilliant idea of driving my 31 ft MH (previous coach) from Asheville to Virginia a few years ago. Northeast of Asheville, the tunnels were much taller and I had no problems staying safely in my lane but, oh my, what a slow painful ride it was. I was well below the speed limit annoying everyone behind me and couldn't enjoy the parkway at all because I was focused on steering and staying in my lane on the curves. I think I averaged about 20 MPH and after 3 hours of that, I abandoned my plans and got off the parkway.

Of course I ended up on the windiest, smallest side road to get off the parkway to the highway and I vowed never to attempt that again.

Yes, it's not the width of the road or the height of the tunnels. It's the speed in which you drive that is the worst. And then you have the bicyclists (which we encountered). And to make it worse it was tandem bicyclists. You would think that two people pedaling would make them go twice as fast...lmao Personally, I think they should allow bicyclists on the parkway. Or at least give them a bicycle lane that doesn't interfere with traffic or require them to stop and get off the road when they have traffic backed up. But they won't do it. And when you have about 10-20 of them spread out over about 50-100 yards, it makes it nearly impossible to pass them due to oncoming traffic and curves.
holstein13
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
I had the brilliant idea of driving my 31 ft MH (previous coach) from Asheville to Virginia a few years ago. Northeast of Asheville, the tunnels were much taller and I had no problems staying safely in my lane but, oh my, what a slow painful ride it was. I was well below the speed limit annoying everyone behind me and couldn't enjoy the parkway at all because I was focused on steering and staying in my lane on the curves. I think I averaged about 20 MPH and after 3 hours of that, I abandoned my plans and got off the parkway.

Of course I ended up on the windiest, smallest side road to get off the parkway to the highway and I vowed never to attempt that again.
Bamaman11
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
Be sure to have road maps with you. After an hour or so, you'll probably get a little bored and need to drop off on straighter regular roads or the Interstate highway to get where you're going. Don't forget the Blue Ridge Parkway is heavily radar'd by park police.

It's okay for awhile, however.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Here's a video of us driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple weekends ago. Road is plenty wide enough. Winding? Yes, it's primarily in the mountains. And yes you will encounter some grade. You sohuld be able to traverse all the tunnels, but look at the NPS website to for the tunnel heights and know what the height is per tunnel (side vs middle). If uncomfortable with it, get off the parkway.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2015
TNGW1500SE wrote:
I'm going to talk about the south end of the parkway. From Asheville NC west.

Don't tow the parkway! Stay in the area, unhook and go drive the parkway in the truck. It's a great road for sightseeing but leave the camper at the campgrounds. The tunnels are arched and not lighted. Also the trees are not cut back and you'll have to dodge tree limbs. You'll be worried about hitting your roof all the time. There's people on bicycles you'll have to pass in the tunnels and lots of motorcycles. Most of the tunnels on the south end of the parkway are curved so you can't just drive down the middle of the road because "nothing is coming". The hills are no big deal if you downshift but it's not a road to have a large RV on. Anyone who says otherwise is reckless and giving bad advice. I now I ride it all the time on a motorcycle.

OH! and whatever you do, don't take hwy 129 in Tennessee to get there. That road is called "the dragon". It's 318 curves in 11 miles and you'll wish you'd never started down it because once you start down the road there is NO PLACE to turn around. Watch this: The Dragon

X10

Very good advice. Do not listen to the fools who tell you to simply drive down the center of the tunnels for extra clearance. It is a double yellow line for a number of very good reasons. If you can not keep all of your rig in your lane ALL of the time you have no business being on that road.
:S