Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip Itinerary
The Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip is a 932km journey that starts in Afton, United States and ends in Murphy, United States. This road trip is ideal for any driver looking for an unforgettable experience. Along this route, you will get to explore the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, with plenty of attractions in Roanoke, Bristol, Asheville, and Cherokee. The best time to take this road trip is during the summer months, as you get to witness the stunning landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road conditions are generally good, but be aware that some sections may be curvy and that seasonal road closures due to weather conditions may occur. The entire trip should take around 4 days to complete and can be done on a moderate budget.
4
number of days
932 km
route length
fair
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
Afton
Distance 932 km
Driving time 15.9 h
Pace: modest
242.3 kWh
Airports
CHO
,
IAD
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Afton, United States is the perfect starting point for a road trip named "Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip". Located in Virginia, it provides access to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and to the Shenandoah Valley.
The town is known for its beautiful landscapes and its many attractions, like the Afton Mountain Vineyards, the Flying Fox Vineyard and the Cardinal Point Vineyard. All offer a great variety of local wines and a chance for visitors to learn about the region’s history.
Afton also offers many outdoor activities, from hiking and biking trails to horseback riding and fishing. For a unique experience, visitors can take a guided tour of the nearby Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States.
Visitors coming to Afton by air can use the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) as the closest international airport. There are many car rental companies at the airport that offer great deals on car rentals.
Overall, Afton, United States is a great starting point for the "Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip" and offers many attractions and activities for all kinds of travelers.
1
Afton
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Roanoke
Distance 209 km
Driving time 4.1 h
Pace: modest
54.3 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on a road trip through the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, starting in Afton and ending in Roanoke. This 130 mile journey will take you fewer than four hours, so you can take your time and enjoy the sights. As you make your way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can admire the picturesque landscapes, winding roads, and scenic views. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the seasonal closures that may be in place in some sections of the Parkway. Don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the beauty of the area. There are plenty of attractions to explore along the way, so make sure you take the time to make the most of your journey. From Afton to Roanoke, you’ll find plenty of places to stop and explore. For more information on attractions, accommodation, restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the Itinerary of this stage.
Roanoke - United States - North America - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
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2
Roanoke
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Bristol
Distance 291 km
Driving time 5.2 h
Pace: modest
75.7 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you looking for a scenic road trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway? Start your journey in Roanoke, United States, and drive through the beautiful countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 181-mile drive takes fewer than 6 hours, and you'll be sure to find plenty of interesting sights along the way. Keep in mind that some sections of the road may be closed seasonally, and that the road is very winding in some areas. As you drive, be sure to take in the views of the lush forests, rolling hills, and mountain peaks. You'll also find plenty of opportunities to stop and explore, from historical sites to outdoor activities. Along the way, you'll arrive in Bristol, where you can find even more attractions, restaurants, and accommodation options. For more information, check out the itinerary of this stage of your road trip.
Bristol - United States - North America - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
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3
Bristol
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Asheville
Distance 175 km
Driving time 2.9 h
Pace: fast
52.4 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Bristol to Asheville! This 108-mile journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway will take you less than 3 hours, but you'll be sure to want to take your time and savor the sights. The winding road is especially scenic, and some sections may be closed seasonally, so keep an eye out for signs. Along the way, you'll be treated to some of the most beautiful views in the United States. Take a break and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, or take a hike and explore the lush forests. There are plenty of attractions to visit, including historical sites, museums, and galleries. You'll also find plenty of restaurants and campsites to rest and recharge. Make sure to look up the Itinerary for this stage for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. This will be an unforgettable journey you'll never forget!
Asheville - United States - North America - Road Trip - www.nps.gov
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4
Asheville
- Nantahala National Forest
- Cherokee
Distance 161 km
Driving time 2.6 h
Pace: fast
48.4 kWh
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Itinerary
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Start your road trip in Asheville, United States, and head to the Nantahala National Forest. On the way, you will be able to appreciate the scenic road, winding through the mountains. Make sure to take some breaks so you can take in the stunning views of the landscape. The drive will take you fewer than 3 hours and cover a distance of 100 miles. Once you arrive at the Nantahala National Forest, you will find plenty of activities to do, such as hiking, camping, and rafting. The forest is also home to many species of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for some amazing wildlife sightings. Finally, make your way to Cherokee, where you can explore the Cherokee Indian Reservation and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Some sections of the route may be closed seasonally, and in some sections the road is very winding, so please drive carefully. This is one of the stages of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Cherokee - United States - North America - Road Trip - Pikist
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5
Cherokee
- Murphy
Distance 96 km
Driving time 1.2 h
Pace: fast
28.8 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip experience? Start your journey in Cherokee, United States and drive through the scenic roads of the Appalachian Mountains to Murphy. The journey of 60 miles will take you less than two hours. Along the way, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.
In Murphy, you can explore the Valley River Arts and Music Festival, the Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, and the Fields of the Wood Bible Park. If you want to relax, take a hike at the Nantahala National Forest or enjoy some fishing at the Hiwassee River.
Make sure to take some time to admire the breathtaking views of the Appalachians and the Hiwassee River. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Murphy - United States - North America - Road Trip - National Park Service
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Murphy
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After completing the Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip, the last stop is Murphy, North Carolina. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphy is a great place to relax and enjoy the serenity of nature.
One of the most interesting places to visit in Murphy is the John C. Campbell Folk School. This school offers traditional Appalachian classes in music, storytelling, crafts, and other cultural activities. Visitors can take classes, attend workshops, and tour the grounds.
If you are looking for outdoor adventure, Murphy is the perfect place for a variety of activities. From hiking, biking, and horseback riding to fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, the great outdoors in Murphy is sure to please.
Murphy is also home to the Valley River Arts and Music Festival, which takes place in October each year. This festival brings together musicians, artists, and craftspeople who showcase the best of Appalachian culture.
For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Chattanooga Airport (CHA) in Tennessee, approximately 80 miles away.
Murphy is a great place to end the Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip. With its unique culture and beautiful scenery, Murphy is sure to leave visitors with lasting memories.
Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip at a glance
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Start:
Afton
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End:
Murphy
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Distance:
932 km
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Stay:
4 days
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Getting there:
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO),
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
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When to drive:
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Surely, our itinerary idea gave you multiple inspirations for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with interesting attractions of your choice.
If travelling by car is your plan when moving around Virginia, there are a number of vital traffic regulations to follow and a bunch of things to be mindful of to make your journey smooth and safe.
These tips will surely become useful for tourists who opt for renting a vehicle or renting a camper in Virginia.
In Virginia, there are a number of road regulations to be mindful of while on a tour.
Alcohol is best to be avoided at all costs while travelling around Virginia.
Holidaymakers ought to remember that the amount of alcohol that the driver can consume is not very high and is only 0.5‰.
Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 40km/h, when driving around the build-up areas may result in a speeding ticket.
In rural areas, drivers can travel at the maximum allowed speed of 72km/h.
In Virginia, you can drive at the maximum speed of 129km/h on highways.
Having a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime increase the safety of your passengers.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip.
The total expenses during the whole itinerary are dependent on the budget option that you go for.
Check out the available budget possibilities.
If you’d like to benefit from the cheapest option to cover the planned 932km across Virginia, it can equal as much as 125 EUR.
Economy accommodation options may cost tourists around 319 EUR.
You should also take into consideration the fact that you will spend approximately 288 EUR for restaurants and food in this option.
Travellers will have to pay around 180 EUR if they are interested in the budget car rental option as well.
Thus, going for car rental will increase the costs of the road trip from around 732 EUR to around 912 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 163 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the trip.
If you are into standard accommodation options, you should remember that the expenses may amount up to roughly 473 EUR.
Tourists can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost approximately 432 EUR.
If you are planning on hiring a car, a standard one costs about 216 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay more or less 1,284 EUR for the whole Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend around 1,068 EUR.
Travellers who would like to take advantage of the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium offer.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 1,953 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend around 1,593 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium rental car can expect a cost of roughly 360 EUR.
In the top standard configuration of the itinerary, the cost of the fuel needed to cover all stages around Virginia is more or less 225 EUR.
Tourists who are considering top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay around 792 EUR for accommodation options and around 576 EUR for restaurants and food.
Our trip will also match up the expectations of all camper enthusiasts.
When it comes to this means of transport, you should expect the costs of roughly 900 EUR.
You will spend more or less 250 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip.
Travellers who are considering camper hire should expect to pay more or less 220 EUR for accommodation and roughly 288 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section shows all the mentioned costs in detail.
The part of Virginia showed in our adventure idea is superb to be visited between April and October.
There are multiple beautiful road adventures that are available on our website if you like Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip.
We hope that the great versatility of trips will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers.