Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Pkwy

Here's a list of the tunnel heights at the center line. I drive a 'C' with a satellite dome on top and I'm nearly 12 feet high. I went around.

Thanks for this thread. Thought about doing this yesterday and here you folks have explained it all. We live near Blowing Rock and thinking about doing it north to the Lexington VA area. Again, thanks.

We enjoyed our drive last September on the BRP. We did the whole drive in a truck and 30' travel trailer. Hugged the centerline on a few tunnels but not many we are almost as tall as you. We were lucky and were at the parkway in between summer but a bit early for the fall color rush. So we almost had the parkway to ourselves during the week.

It may or may not be an issue with you but Skyline Drive is through Shenandoah National Park so there will be an entry fee at Front Royal. Not a lot and it is good for re-entry over 7 days. Once you are on the BRP there are no more fees. Do be sure to only get off at major highway intersections. As previously stated Roanoke and Asheville will have plenty of places to fuel and eat and restock your rig as needed.

If you are planning to go during the summer months, be aware that you will see lots of green. Lots of green. Most overlooks have had the trees trimmed away to improve the views at them but along the roadway itself there are lots of trees.

Also a section between Milepost 90 and 105 is closed until about the end of May for paving operations.

Here is were we parked, on the Skyline Drive, for one night in late October, 2006.

If you have the time and aren't in a hurry then do it. You need a minimum of 5 days but better to have 7 to travel the entire length if you can get out and enjoy any of the views. I've traveled every section multiple times and always find something else to see. I've camped on the southern end from Ashville to the southern end for over 40 years and it's still one of my favorite places to visit within 500 miles of Charleston.

Have done two long sections, Ashville to Waynesboro and just last Oct Front Royal to Roanoke. However when I retire and can take my time, will do the entire length from Front Royal to southern end in a single trip over a one week period.

As mentioned, the tunnels are arched and have the minimum height measured at the white line. By the time you move over 3' to hug the white line you are another 1' - 2' taller and by the time you get to the ac in middle of your rig you will have another 1'. While there is a tunnel or two where you will want to cross the yellow line to take the center of the tunnel, you do not need to, just hug it.

The fuel is real easy as you can get fuel near each interstate crossing or big towns. The longest dry section is from Ashville to southern end, but even then you can get fuel by dropping off at 19/23 and going a few miles towards Waynesville.

In regards to campgrounds, they are nice just be careful as they will fill up on Friday, some on Thursday. So I either make reservation for the weekend or if at a First Come, stop early Friday and stay until Sunday.

Make sure you check out http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ as they have a lot more detailed information. Particular attention to the hiking trails as they list all the trail starting points, some of which are not mentioned even at the overlook. There are a number of short easy 1/4 mile hike to get the views.

Mabry Mill is great for a morning breakfast. Works well if you spend the night at Rocky Knob, get up early and head south a short way to the eastern facing overlook to watch the sunrise, then a few more miles for breakfast.

Other place to eat is Pisgah Inn which usually has a favorite good chief and an unbelievable view. It is a nice short walk from the campground to the restaurant so if you can walk about 1/4 mile each way you wouldn't even have to move the rig.

I could go on, but think you can tell I get excited about the BRP. Happy trails and enjoy.

Moved from Class A forum.

I would suggest doing it at intervals. As pretty as it is, the scenery is pretty much the same around the bend and after a while you'll tire of it.

For fuel, the BRP goes past Asheville, NC (I think in the city limits) and Roanoke, VA. Both have gas right near the parkway, as does, IIRC, Fancy Gap, VA.

Thanks for the help everybody. After reading them I did a little more research and may break the trip up into segments. What about just skyline drive for now? Has anyone travelled the entire length of it? It looks like the bridges will be high enough for me approx. 12'2" height and fuel won't be an issue as I usually do 300-350 on a full tank. We will stay on the main roads. I've checked out the campgrounds and they should work but we will miss the hook ups. Anyone know anything I should be especially concerned about?