📷 Photo by The AIRDEEz on UnsplashThe Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end
All 469 miles from Shenandoah to the Smokies, at 45 mph, with plenty of overlooks.
- Distance
- approx. 749 km (465 mi)
- Driving
- 8 h 18 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 12
- States
- VA, NC
- Best time to go
- May–June and September–October
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- September 12, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 749 km (465 mi) with 12 stops, from Waynesboro to Cherokee. About 8 h 18 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May–June and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. Size limits for motorhomes: Blue Ridge Parkway tunnels (NC) (height 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)).
More road trips in Virginia, North Carolina
Photos along the route
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Route description
The parkway begins near Waynesboro at Rockfish Gap, where Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park ends. Near milepost 6, Humpback Rocks has a reconstructed mountain farm at the trailhead and a steep one-mile climb to a rocky outcrop. A short detour off the parkway leads to Natural Bridge State Park, a 215-foot limestone arch over Cedar Creek that Thomas Jefferson once owned.
The parkway skirts Roanoke, the largest city on the route and a good place to restock and refuel. South of it the road rolls through farmland and forest to Mabry Mill at milepost 176, a water-powered gristmill whose neighboring restaurant serves buckwheat pancakes. Soon after, the parkway crosses into North Carolina, and the mountains begin to grow higher.
The Linn Cove Viaduct curves around the flank of Grandfather Mountain; finished in 1987, it was the last piece of the parkway to be built. Julian Price Park Campground near milepost 297 has lakeside sites, canoe rentals and trails through rhododendron. Further south, Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home, and Chimney Rock State Park lies a short drive southeast with long views over Lake Lure.
South of Asheville the parkway climbs to its highest sections before ending at Cherokee, on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Clingmans Dome, now officially called Kuwohi, is the highest point in the Smokies, reached by a seasonal side road and a steep paved path to a spiral observation ramp. The speed limit is 45 mph at most, there is no fuel on the parkway itself, several North Carolina tunnels have limited clearance for tall motorhomes, and sections close in winter and after storm damage, so check the National Park Service closure map before you go.
Which stops are on the route from Waynesboro to Cherokee?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Waynesboro
VA - 213 km
Humpback Rocks
ViewsWaynesboro, VAA steep one-mile climb near milepost 6 to a rocky outcrop. There is a reconstructed mountain farm at the trailhead.
- 382 km
Natural Bridge State Park
NatureNatural Bridge, VAA 215-foot limestone arch over Cedar Creek that Thomas Jefferson once owned.
- 464 km
Roanoke
VA - 585 km
Mabry Mill
HistoryMeadows of Dan, VAA water-powered gristmill at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 176. The restaurant next door serves buckwheat pancakes.
- 6175 km
Linn Cove Viaduct
ViewsLinville, NCA segmented concrete bridge that curves around Grandfather Mountain. It was the last piece of the Blue Ridge Parkway, finished in 1987.
- 712 km
Julian Price Park Campground
CampingBlowing Rock, NCLakeside sites at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 297, with canoe rentals and trails through rhododendron.
- 8115 km
Asheville
NC - 97 km
Biltmore Estate
HistoryAsheville, NCAmerica's largest private home, with 250 rooms, formal gardens and a winery on 8,000 acres.
- 1036 km
Chimney Rock State Park
ViewsChimney Rock, NCA 315-foot rock spire with long views over Lake Lure. Trails lead to a 404-foot waterfall.
- 11137 km
Clingmans Dome
ViewsBryson City, NCThe highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains, reached by a steep paved path to a spiral observation ramp.
- 1223 km
Cherokee
NC
How do you drive the route from Waynesboro to Cherokee in 4 days?
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Waynesboro → Roanoke · 99 mi · 1 h 46 minOn the way: Humpback Rocks, Natural Bridge State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Horseshoe Bend Campground (18 mi).
- Day 2: Roanoke → Linn Cove Viaduct · 162 mi · 2 h 53 minOn the way: Mabry Mill.Overnight nearby, for example: KOA Kampground (15 mi); Big Mike's Creekside RV Resort (6 mi).
- Day 3: Linn Cove Viaduct → Biltmore Estate · 83 mi · 1 h 29 minOn the way: Julian Price Park Campground, Asheville.Overnight nearby, for example: French Broad River Campground (10 mi); Wilson's Riverfront RV Park (3 mi).
- Day 4: Biltmore Estate → Cherokee · 122 mi · 2 h 10 minOn the way: Chimney Rock State Park, Clingmans Dome.Overnight nearby, for example: Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday (4 mi); River Valley Campground (4 mi).
When is the best time for the route from Waynesboro to Cherokee?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving the route from Waynesboro to Cherokee?
No toll roads expected for a car. Size limits for motorhomes: Blue Ridge Parkway tunnels (NC) (height 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)).
- Blue Ridge Parkway tunnels (NC). Size limits for motorhomes and trailers (height 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)). Alternative: Leave the parkway for I-26 or US-19 around the tunnels.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
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FAQs
How long is The Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end?
4-day road trip of about 749 km (465 mi) with 12 stops, from Waynesboro to Cherokee. About 8 h 18 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end?
We suggest 4 days: about 8 h 18 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end start and end?
It starts in Waynesboro and ends in Cherokee.
Which states does The Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end pass through?
Virginia and North Carolina.
Where can you camp along The Blue Ridge Parkway, end to end?
OpenStreetMap lists 215 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: French Broad River Campground, Loft Mountain Campground and Peaks of Otter Campground.
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