Fall leaves along the parkway.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 31, 2023 | Relatively near to Gwinnett is the nation’s longest national drive—the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). For the last few days, we’ve driven on segments of this 469 mile parkway, enjoying the fantastic scenery and views, and seeing the fall change in color.
The parkway is not just a road, for it abounds in scenic beauty. The road itself is a work of engineering art. It is beautifully maintained, and usually smooth for driving.
From Gwinnett, it’ll take you only three hours to get to the BRP. We picked up the BRP at U.S. Highway 23/74 near Balsam, N.C.
Now for the best part: this nearby area is not only the highest part of the BRP (at 6,053 feet), but it’s the most scenic area. There are far more overlooks along this portion of the parkway, giving you vistas galore. We traveled about 50 miles along this part of the BRP, headed for Asheville, N.C. for the night. We were on the BRP for three parts, taking us as far north as Roanoke, Va., before heading back home. The Virginia segment is often through meadows, not mountains.
You’ve got to be patient for BRP driving. The entire parkway is often double-yellow-lined, meaning no passing. Max speed limit is 45 mph, but you’re really only traveling as fast as the slowest car ahead of you. That’s usually about 35 mph. Another positive: no big trucks are allowed on the parkway!
BRP driving tips:
- First, fill your gas tank before the BRP, since gas stations are few. And make sure your brakes are good, for you often use them.
- Keep intervals of several car distances when driving, as drivers are often tapping the brakes. There are a lot of steep grades and continual curves on the BRP. Driving slowly becomes normal.
- Study maps before your trip. Know in advance where you want to get off and stay another night. Don’t count on traveling long distances quickly. This driving is tiring and much slower than normal.
- If you want to spend the night on the BRP, make reservations well in advance, like six months before. The few places with rooms fill quickly. We stayed off the parkway.
- Bring snacks. There are few places to buy anything. And most places are really crowded, so buy in advance.
- Take lots of photos. (Photographing the overlook sign will help you know what location this was later.) Volunteer to take pictures of others, so they can use your camera to take photos of you.
- Natural scenery. Recognize the delight of having no glaring billboards around.
- There are 26 tunnels on the BRP. Think of how difficult these were to bore through rock nearly 75 years ago. They make driving the parkway more efficient.
- The parkway is open year-round, though weather-permitting. Snow can close portions unexpectedly.
- Visit the several key sights along the parkway: Mount Mitchell State Park, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, and more than 50 nearby trails to enjoy, from easy to difficult. There are 16 peaks of more than 5,000 feet.
- Besides a wild growth forest of the BRP, the road is lined with rhododendrons along the way. Come spring, this will give constant colors also from azaleas, dogwood, mountain laurel and other plants. Compared to fall, it would be seeing entirely different colors of spring.
- Get a copy of the Ridge Parkway travel planner before you start. Write Box 2136, Asheville , N.C. 28802.
The colors of the BRP are fading fast for this fall season. If you want a delightful relatively close trip, consider driving the parkway for next year.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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