Driving the Blue Ridge Highway in a Class C?

[5Mainecampers]

Hi all: We are planning a drive from Maine to Florida in late June, which we have done a couple times but always take the shortest I95 route. This time I am considering taking 3 or 4 days to get from DC to Florida and do some sightseeing (myself, DW, DS(12), DD(10).
I have always wanted to check out the Blue Ridge Highway: Is it worth it and could a 30 ft Class C handle it? Has anyone traveled this stretch- can we jump on and off- what is the best way to do this? How many days do we need? We are heavily considering taking the minivan instead of the Class C- would that be a much better idea, my concern with that is not having the convenience of the MH and camping along the way. Love to hear thoughts and ideas----- Thanks, Derek

[Oldme]

We have been on the Blue Ridge Parkway many times.
Never in an RV.

The last time, we exited was at Black Mountain, at night
I do not want to do that again even in our CRV.
I thought I saw my own taillights several times.

You will have to exit for food and gas.
Most is posted at 35 MPH.

[More_To_See]

Once you are onto the Blue Ridge Parkway it really isn't feasible to jump off and back on randomly. You are pretty much driving along the "Ridge" of the mountains and practically all roads down into the valleys are real steep and winding. While the Parkway itself is a beautiful drive along a gently winding and level road (interstate type grades) most access roads along the way are to be avoided. At Ashville though there is easy access to all services.

Personal opinion - Absolutely take your 30 foot Class C. You will be loafing along at real slow speeds just like everybody else. And maybe add in an extra day or two to your schedule since there are lots of places along the way to stop and enjoy the views. And just getting to the south entrance at Cherokee will cost you some time. And at the north end you might want to just continue on up the road on Skyline Drive for another hundred miles.

Consider that big tag axle tour busses run up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway all the time. Surely an average size RV should be able to do the same.

[Desert_Captain]

As noted above, yes you "can" make the trip in your C but... the driver needs to be 100% focused on the road, not the sights as there is little if any room for error. The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 and 25 will be the norm. The limit ups to 45 for sections of the BRP but you will average around 30. There are lots of pullouts to enable the backed up traffic to get by and the driver can actually enjoy the views.

I would not drive either in anything over 30' (+/-) and pulling a toad will make you longer than the road was engineered for. If you have to "crowd" the centerline (as in cross over it), you DO NOT belong on that road (crossing over a double yellow line for any reason is stupid, dangerous and illegal). If you get off the parkway at Asheville you will avoid the two or three lower height tunnels and will have seen 95% of the parkway.

It is a tossup as to what is more spectacular, the views or the engineering that went into its construction. Considering how many years ago it was built the BRP is nothing short of amazing. We spent a week last May in our 24' C getting on northbound at Asheville and continuing up through Shenandoah NP (Skyline Drive), and it was one of the highlights of our 2 month, 7,500 mile, 22 state trip.

:C

[Bobbo]

I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in my 31' Class C about 2 or 3 years ago. Got on at the very first entrance of Skyline Drive, got off at the very last exit of the Blueridge Parkway. Drove every inch of it. Yes, you can do it in a Class C. Some of the overpasses will need to be driven in the middle of the road. Fortunately, there is not a lot of traffic so you can do that without too much trouble.

How much time you need will depend on how long you tarry and sightsee along the way. We took 2 weeks but spent 2 or 3 nights at each stop. That was our vacation. It was not a route TO our vacation.

Getting on and off is not difficult, but the entrances/exits are spaced rather far apart. You may have to drive a bit to get to one if you want to get off.

Be sure to research which campgrounds are open. Several were closed when we did it.

[RoyB]

There are few gas station along the parkway (maybe only three if my memory is correct) which makes you get off the blue ridge to get gas so be sure to pick the major routes on and off the parkway. You could get into series trouble with the CLASS C on some of those mtn access roads.

There are camp grounds about every 50 miles down the Parkway and was originally layed out for tent camping. None had hookups with only bath rooms and water available. The may be only three WAY STATIONs along the entire route.

AS stated above the narrow roads are always in great shape but there are a few tunnels and the traffic will be small vehicles and lots of motorcycle traffic. It is not unheard of rounding a sharp curve and meet up with 50 motorcycles coming right at you. Got to be on the alert all the time. There is also more and more of bicycle traffic.

Probably max speed is 45MPH but most of the time this gets dropped down to 25MPH and less going around the sharp curves. You cannot get in any hurry along the Blue Ridge.

There is always heavy wildlife around dusk you have to watch out for. Lots of deer traffic. When bears are spotted all the vehicles will stop anywhere along the parkway along the side of the road and start taking photos...

Got to be fully alert especially driving the larger vehicle. Plan your exits as cell phone service is very spotty along the parkway. Not a good idea to run out of gasoline up there...

Back in the day we enjoyed TENT camping along the Parkway from VA to Gatlinburg TN. Have done that several times. Only just 450 miles or so but will consume a good three weeks to really enjoy it...

Today our senior pass us into any paid areas like Skyline Drive for free and the camp site fees are reduced to 50%. can't beat that for sure...

Roy and Carolyn

[j-d]

There are a couple clearances around 11-feet on the page above. You'd want to crowd the center line in those.

Blue Ridge Pkwy begins at the southern end of Skyline Drive, and it's a little "smoother" as far as turns and grades go. Still, there are several campgrounds with RV sites along Skyline so RV's are in there often. I'd say you'd find Blue Ridge a little easier.

Cherohala Skyway
is in that general area. Easier to drive and excellent views

So is Tail of the Dragon around the southern end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I don't recommend that one in an RV.

[Grumpy374]

We have driven the BRP many times, also Skyline Drive, but in cars and on motorcycles. Lived outside Asheville, NC and now live in Va just off Skyline Dr., so I'm fimilar with both.
Is it dooable in a 30' class c---yes it is. But make sure it's in top shape as you will be giving the engine and tranny a real workout. Lots of up and down, many many curves, some at only 15 to 20 mph... You, as a driver, will not really be able to enjoy the sceanery and views as you must keep your eyes on the road. Lots of traffic on weekends, a bit less weekdays. Lots of motorcycles many who ride crotch rockets who who love to cut corners on blind curves.
Lots of pulloffs and overlooks so you can pull over to let traffic pass as there are very few areas where passing is allowed.
I consider myself to be a good driver, careful and attentive. That being said would I drive the BRP in our class c? No i wouldn't, not just for the sake of driving it.
Others will come in saying they've driven it in their 25, 30, 35 40 foot mh withou any problems, and as I said its dooable, but not enjoyable.
Just my opinion.
Grumpy

[Jim_Shoe]

Here's a list of the tunnel clearances.