Question for Smokin Joe or anyone else familiar with the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

[C908]

 I'm in the process of planning our 2014 summer road trip and was hoping I could get a little insight from those of you that have traveled the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Our little group of four is planning on riding from Missouri to Myrtle Beach then over to Virginia Beach. We thought from there we would go up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy and start working our way back. Looking at maps I'm having a little trouble getting a clear idea where to get on and where to get off of the Pkwy. It looks like from Virginia Beach you just take 64 hwy up to the BR Pkwy. From that point it looks like we should stay on it and ride up through the Great Smoky mountains. I could be wrong but it looks like after we get through the mountains we should head back to 40 hwy. Joe or anyone else that has traveled the Pkwy a lot and could give me some tips I would sure appreciate it. We also like to try and stay at KOA campgrounds. Not knowing the Pkwy I don't know how much riding time or how many stops to figure. Thank you for your comments.

[Willow]

Get on the Parkway at Cherokee.

The Parkway runs right into Skyline Drive in Virginia.  I'd suggest you stay on and ride Skyline Drive up to Front Royal.

[Reb]

I'm in the process of planning our 2014 summer road trip and was hoping I could get a little insight from those of you that have traveled the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Our little group of four is planning on riding from Missouri to Myrtle Beach then over to Virginia Beach. We thought from there we would go up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy and start working our way back. Looking at maps I'm having a little trouble getting a clear idea where to get on and where to get off of the Pkwy. It looks like from Virginia Beach you just take 64 hwy up to the BR Pkwy. From that point it looks like we should stay on it and ride up through the Great Smoky mountains. I could be wrong but it looks like after we get through the mountains we should head back to 40 hwy. Joe or anyone else that has traveled the Pkwy a lot and could give me some tips I would sure appreciate it. We also like to try and stay at KOA campgrounds. Not knowing the Pkwy I don't know how much riding time or how many stops to figure. Thank you for your comments.

Your suggested route is a little messed up.

Please reread your post.

VA Beach is a LONG way from the northern end of the BRP.

You know those shortcuts to the long ways exist. Haven't you have taken a few a time or two 

[..]

OK I reread your post and see which way you want to go. 

http://www.ncnatural.com/Parkway/MilebyMile.html

http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/overlooks/00011.asp

http://www.virtualblueridge.com/

http://www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/MabryMill/

http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php

http://www.romanticasheville.com/folk_art.htm

The BRP  is beautiful

[C908]

Get on the Parkway at Cherokee.

The Parkway runs right into Skyline Drive in Virginia.  I'd suggest you stay on and ride Skyline Drive up to Front Royal.

Willow thanks for the suggeston I'm looking at the map and I see Front Royal but can't seem to find Cherokee. My eyes don't focus as well on these maps as they did in younger days. Can you give me an idea what Cherokee is close to. Thanks.

[..]

Get on the Parkway at Cherokee.

The Parkway runs right into Skyline Drive in Virginia.  I'd suggest you stay on and ride Skyline Drive up to Front Royal.

Willow thanks for the suggeston I'm looking at the map and I see Front Royal but can't seem to find Cherokee. My eyes don't focus as well on these maps as they did in younger days. Can you give me an idea what Cherokee is close to. Thanks.

Cherokee is the southern end of the BRP.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Waynesboro, Va is mm# 1 and Cherokee Nc is mm#469.... Stop at one of the information centers and get a pamphlet it will tell you the mm # for gas,food,lodging etc.along the Parkway.

[C908]

Thanks Joe !

[Willow]

I'm looking at the map and I see Front Royal but can't seem to find Cherokee. My eyes don't focus as well on these maps as they did in younger days. Can you give me an idea what Cherokee is close to. Thanks.

Cherokee, North Carolina is up the road from Bryson City and about directly west of Asheville.  As Joe has said it is the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[Hook#3287]

C908,
I just did the BRP from Waynesboro to Cherokee for the first time this Sept.  What a great ride.  I stayed in hotels so I didn't pay much attention to camping areas, but you'll be able to find plenty.  Being Sept, the traffic was light, I only over took about 25 cars the whole 460+ miles. The speed limit is 45 mph for most of the way and you don't want to go much faster.  I kept it around 50 mostly, but I was riding alone and had the road to myself.

My biggest concern was wildlife, particularly the whitetail kind, but what I did most was dodge the thousand or so squirrels stocking up for winter.

My next biggest concern was the time it was taking.  I had to stop stopping.  The overlooks are so beautiful, you could spent an hour at each one and there are many.

There are many exit/entrance roads along the way and tons of small towns off these where you can get gas and/or lunch.

The National Park Service prints an excellent 8"x 48" map that shows the complete Parkway with lots of info.  I bet you could send for one. 

I would figure 3 days, 2 nights, at the least, to see it with a group, but plan on more if there's a photographer in the group.

Enjoy your trip.

[C908]

Thanks for the comments they are very helpful. We are working on our route wanting to get it finalized so we can start making our KOA campground reservations. I have also watched a few You Tube videos of riders on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it looks pretty awesome.

[3fan4life]

Thanks for the comments they are very helpful. We are working on our route wanting to get it finalized so we can start making our KOA campground reservations. I have also watched a few You Tube videos of riders on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it looks pretty awesome.

Don't limit yourself to KOA's and other 'chain' campgrounds.

There are many great little local campgrounds along the BRP, including this one:

http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

Willville is a motorcycle only campground located near MM 177 just off the BRP.