What's a scenic route worth to you?

"Slant6" (slant-6) 09/19/2015 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

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This halloween weekend I will be driving from Boone NC to Asheville NC to visit a friend from high school. Many US routes and NC routes can get me there but there is one road in particular that connects the two. The Blue Ridge Parkway.

This time of the year the parkway is absolutely beautiful. It just takes an hour longer to get to Asheville. Is it worth it? I could just do parts of it but I like the idea of a nice long twisty drive.

The speed limit is 45 and heavily enforced by the NPS but I really don’t mind.

What say you Oppo? Go scenic this halloween or stick to US 221?

Via Blue Ridge Parkway

Quicker route.

Tohru > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:30

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Have you taken the Blue Ridge before? If not, then take it now. If you have, take the fast route there and the scenic route back.

TheHondaBro > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:33

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Absolutely nothing because I can’t pay attention to the scenery.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:33

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Definitely worth it! I drove the BRP from Asheville to Roanoke in late April this year. Did that in one day. It was worth every minute of the nearly 8 hours. Definitely the beginning parts right after Asheville were my favorites so you should have a blast. I had the whole road to myself in a Miata but you may hit a bit more traffic in the fall. Anyways, I highly recommend it!

Slant6 > Tohru 09/19/2015 at 14:34

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I’ve never actually been on it. In all honesty thought most of the mountian highways have pretty great views either way.

Steve in Manhattan > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:34

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Been there, done that, quite nice. I think Dollywood is near it at some point, if you’re so inclined.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:36

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Also, you should make the stop at Mount Mitchell, it’s the highest point east of the Mississippi so it is really cool to go up there and experience it. Very different weather from down on the Parkway. It is a short drive up to the top so it’s a worthy detour. And if you really have time, check out the Devils Whip which is a sweet road between there someplace.

Agrajag > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:37

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Scenic.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:46

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Back roads or the scenic route is 9/10 worth it.

JR1 > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:47

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You could enjoy a beautiful drive our deal with a chour of driving from point A to point B.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 14:55

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BRP for sure

tzx4 > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 15:03

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I have heard that it is gridlocked with heavy traffick at peak fall colors time, true?

ttyymmnn > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 15:05

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Always take the scenic route, if you have the time. We’ve made a few drives from TX to VA, taking various routes. Sometimes, we are on a schedule and just have to get somewhere. But if there’s extra time, then I will always get off the interstate and take the US highways or state roads. And just about any road in that part of the country is worth driving.

gamefreak32 > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 16:09

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I live in the area. Don’t go I-40 to US 221 in Marion. There is nothing to see on either of those roads. Parkway is nice, but you might want to spend some extra time and stop to see some stuff. I would leave Asheville about 7am and not expect to make it to Boone until after dark if your really want to experience the parkway. Pack a lunch, there isn’t much on the parkway food wise. Mt. Mitchell will be cold, bring some pants and a heavy coat. Speed limit is hardly enforced, but traffic will keep your speed low. Honestly never seen a speed trap on the parkway or anyone pulled over, and hardly ever see cops. Stop and hike to Linville falls. Linville also has the caverns. It is nothing spectacular if you have been to Mammoth Caves, but worth visiting if you have never been inside caverns. The 226A/B loop in Little Switzerland is the shit if you like that kind of driving. No traffic on it. Go to the top of Grandfather Mountain and walk the swinging bridge. Eat at Woodlands Barbeque in Blowing Rock when you get to Boone.

gamefreak32 > Steve in Manhattan 09/19/2015 at 16:17

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Dollywood/Pidgeon Forge is the other way, South. He is going north.

Wurrwulf > gamefreak32 09/19/2015 at 16:27

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Took the scenic route from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee, NC and hopped on BRP for about 20 miles. Didn’t get to see any of the famous views of the BRP, but being a flatlander, it was all awesome to see.

DipodomysDeserti > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 17:26

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Do it. I road tripped up the coast this summer and decided to take the PCH all the way up. Despite taking about 12 hours to go from San Diego to San Fran, it was worth it.

Slant6 > gamefreak32 09/19/2015 at 17:49

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I’m actually going south to Asheville from Boone.

gamefreak32 > Slant6 09/19/2015 at 19:16

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Missed a few words. I meant to say you would be north of Asheville on the parkway. Pidgeon Forge is off the parkway south of Asheville. About 2 hours to the west. You can take I-40 through the pass or backroads off the Parkway to go west. See my other post for what you pass between Asheville and Boone.