My family is visiting the region and is wondering. Also, is the North Carolina or Virginia part better?
Yes.
Do you *want* to do that? Idk.
I haven't been on the BRP in VA, so I can't legitimately answer the NC vs VA question, but in general the Appalachian mountains in NC are "better" than in VA.
Maybe on one very long day, but it would be a tremendous waste, since you wouldn't be able to stop anywhere to do it. Too much to see and do.
If you're including Skyline Drive, the drive through Shenandoah National Park is spectacular.
Speed is strictly enforced, used to be 35 mph.
The parkway is 469 miles long, and the maximum speed limit, which I understand to be fairly well enforced, is 45 mph. That leaves a minimum of 10 hours and 25 minutes to drive its full length. Whether that's enough for you, I can't say.
That said, while I've never driven the Blue Ridge Parkway, I have driven on the the Natchez Trace Parkway, a similarish sort of road in that it is also a part of the National Park Service. It took me 3 hours to go 88 miles, for an average speed of a smidge less than 30 mph. A similar pace for the whole length of the Blue Ridge Parkway would take about 15 and a half hours.
I've done roughly 25 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and 2/3 of Skyline Drive, all in Virginia, and from that experience my answer would be no.
As others have noted, it might be technically possible, but you're going to want to stop at some of the scenic overlooks, and that tends to be time consuming.
Skyline Drive, though, is definitely doable in a day and that has pretty good scenery.. IMO once you've seen Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Pkwy is kind of just more of the same and yes it's scenic, but it's quite curvy and hard to make up time, so it's a lot more wearing than cruising down the interstate, especially in the late afternoon/evening hours.
I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway between US 441 and US 23/74 last fall. That's about 25 miles. It took me an hour and a half.
If you were to somehow drive all of the Blue Ridge Parkway in a day, you would miss all of what makes the Blue Ridge Parkway...well, the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The majority of the route is in Virginia, which bans radar detectors. That means stick to the speed limit.
We took a family vacation back in the 1980s, entering Skyline Drive from US 33. We made it to Boone, N.C. on the first day. Woke up the next morning and the whole area was fogged in, so my dad bailed at Asheville and we took another route to Cherokee before crossing over to Gatlinburg. I went back a few years ago and drove from the southern end back to Asheville to clinch it.
Lots of tunnels on the southern section and then there's the Linn Cove Viaduct that's interesting from a road perspective.
You can but you won't enjoy much of it if you do.
I got to go in early June 2013, with spectacular timing as the remnants of an early season tropical storm made landfall in NC and drifted into western VA. At least I got all the NC part mostly in, but really missed tons of the VA stretch.
I don't think that we will do it in one day. I think we will do most of it in chunks going both north and south.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 08, 2022, 12:36:09 PM
The majority of the route is in Virginia, which bans radar detectors. That means stick to the speed limit.
As a federal facility, it would make more sense for state laws such as a radar detector ban to not be applicable here, but I guess in this case they don't care.
Quote from: ran4sh on August 08, 2022, 08:40:27 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 08, 2022, 12:36:09 PM
The majority of the route is in Virginia, which bans radar detectors. That means stick to the speed limit.
As a federal facility, it would make more sense for state laws such as a radar detector ban to not be applicable here, but I guess in this case they don't care.
I guess I've never really understood what the big deal is about radar detectors. Even assuming you're not following someone (unlikely), what's the point of using a radar detector on a scenic road like the Blue Ridge Parkway to begin with?
It's nice to be able to detect police even when you're not speeding.
It is hard to think that radar detectors detect them before you're already caught.
^ That reminds me of an experience I had on I-390 the other day. I was moving along at around 80 mph (speed limit 65) when I noticed a state trooper in the median. I slowed to about 70 mph, went past, and the trooper pulled out not far behind me. At that point I was a bit nervous so I stayed right and didn't speed back up. The trooper approached and eventually went past. Not long afterwards, a Mazda went past a pretty good clip and caught up to the trooper. He was behind him for a bit and probably intended to stay there, but then the trooper quickly moved right and slowed way down. Seconds later, boom, lights flashing behind the Mazda.
While I counted my lucky stars, I couldn't help but wonder if he had already caught the Mazda before he even pulled out of the median.
As for radar detectors more generally... I guess I'm not sure what the advantage is to knowing police are present if you're not speeding. And when you are speeding, detecting police yourself is just part of being an attentive driver IMO. A little bit of extra watchfulness (in my case bordering on paranoia at times) certainly never hurts when you're trying to stay awake and attentive behind the wheel.
Even on scenic roads, the speed limits can be underposted.
Some radar detectors are not very good. Others (like the Valentine One) are excellent and will give you plenty of advance warning.
My V1 has paid for itself many times over. Not necessarily on freeways, but on surface routes where you have these little wide spots in the road where the speed limit is reduced to 35 or 45 and it's perfectly safe to drive 55 or more.
Quote from: webny99 on August 08, 2022, 10:49:13 PM
As for radar detectors more generally... I guess I'm not sure what the advantage is to knowing police are present if you're not speeding. And when you are speeding, detecting police yourself is just part of being an attentive driver IMO. A little bit of extra watchfulness (in my case bordering on paranoia at times) certainly never hurts when you're trying to stay awake and attentive behind the wheel.
My first reply got removed so I'll elaborate on it a little.
For some demographic groups, and/or political ideologies, there is distrust of the police in general, and thus they find it useful to know if police are present. A radar detector is a tool that helps them do that, which makes it useful even when they are not speeding or otherwise violating the law.
Quote from: Rothman on August 08, 2022, 10:30:57 PM
It is hard to think that radar detectors detect them before you're already caught.
I don't use one anymore, but in my younger days my Valentine One saved me more than once. Its "Radar Locator" arrows and "bogey counter" can help a lot in that situation. I once picked up two radar sources ahead and slowed down. Passed one cop. The guy next to me figured he was past the cop, floored it, and got caught by the next cop a short distance ahead. Another time I was picking up instant-on X-band coming from behind on I-59 in Georgia. I set the cruise control to just under the speed limit and eventually spotted the unmarked cop car. He followed me, zapping me periodically with X-band, all the way to the last exit before the Alabama state line.
I've read that lidar (laser) detectors are much less useful, though for the most part that feature is built into pretty much all radar detectors anyway.
I am 100% pro-radar detector. 100% worth it. Of course, all revenue based law enforcement should be banned in the first place.
As far as the BGP, the only cops I have ever seen on it are Park Rangers, so I really don't think they care about radar detectors, since that is a state law. I don't think the locals have jurisdiction.
And, yes, you can get a federal speeding ticket. Happened to a co-worker of mine. Had to do a call to the FBI Center in Clarksburg, which has a long road up to it, that is federally maintained. He got pulled over by the FBI Police (which seems redundant, but its a thing) and had to pay the ticket at the federal courthouse to the federal magistrate.
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert, and 2) just doesn't align with how I approach driving in general. If you feel you need to significantly slow down or alter your behavior in any other way because of police presence, that doesn't speak well of one's driving habits. If anything, slowing way down is only a red flag to the police. There's no need to feel you were "saved" by knowing about them in advance unless you truly believe you were doing something egregious - in which case, maybe you shouldn't have been doing it (and by that I don't mean speeding unless it was truly unsafe for conditions or more than at least 15-20 mph over the limit - granted, I am used to tolerance of 15 mph over the limit, and I know that's not the case everywhere).
What the hell happened to the Blue Ridge Pkwy discussion?
Can VA State Police even patrol it anyways?
Quote from: ran4sh on August 08, 2022, 08:40:27 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 08, 2022, 12:36:09 PM
The majority of the route is in Virginia, which bans radar detectors. That means stick to the speed limit.
As a federal facility, it would make more sense for state laws such as a radar detector ban to not be applicable here, but I guess in this case they don't care.
Virginia designates federal police officers under the Department of the Interior (which the NPS is under) as peace officers under state law, meaning they can enforce state laws, but not all states do this. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 10, 2022, 08:38:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Cruise to the speed limit? How achingly slow.
It's best to break up the drive in three pieces and just enjoy yourself. Take advantage of the trails along the way for hiking.
If you must do it in one shot allow three days to do. Remember, it transits Asheville and Roanoke which are great places to lodge. The US 70 exit in Asheville ( Tunnel Road) is great place to stop for the night. Plenty of motels and eateries. At one time the Poseidon was a great restaurant to have lunch or dinner right off the parkway on US 70 east. I believe it closed.😒
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 10, 2022, 08:38:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Yes to all three, but unmarked cars aren't much harder to spot than regular police cars if you know what to look for (license plates, antennas, etc.). As for obstructions, on freeways they usually sit in the median U-turns (sometimes behind trees or tall grass), which are themselves easy enough to spot even if the cop isn't. Approaching those with some extra caution if they're hidden or subject to poor visibility is usually sufficient. I seem to recall cops hiding on the
right side of the roadway on I-81 in Virginia, which I thought was egregious. I've rarely seen that in NY, if ever.
Quote from: Rothman on August 10, 2022, 08:41:36 PM
Cruise to the speed limit? How achingly slow.
Certainly true here, but less so further west.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on August 07, 2022, 04:08:36 PM
My family is visiting the region and is wondering. Also, is the North Carolina or Virginia part better?
Technically you could do it in a day, but it's not advisable-you'd miss a lot. Not to mention the potential vertigo-inducing twists and turns when you're trying to conquer as much distance as possible, especially with family.
As for states.....they're both great. if you prefer mountains (specifically the Great Smoky Mountains), North Carolina is better. If valley views are more your thing, Virginia is better. I think NC is slightly better for off-parkway things to do (Asheville, Boone, Gatlinburg, TN).
I started to do this once on an unexpected trip. However, I had to get off after while as it was taking a long time.
Quote from: Rothman on August 10, 2022, 08:41:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 10, 2022, 08:38:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Cruise to the speed limit? How achingly slow.
And yet I think I prefer my current lifetime total of zero speeding tickets, somehow.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 10, 2022, 10:02:51 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 10, 2022, 08:41:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 10, 2022, 08:38:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Cruise to the speed limit? How achingly slow.
And yet I think I prefer my current lifetime total of zero speeding tickets, somehow.
*shrug*
Eh, sure I've had a few speeding tickets (three, I think). One was from a nasty speed trap in Waverly, VA where anyone would have gotten a ticket (I sped up to the higher speed limit sign about 100 feet in front of it)...another was in a work zone where another car flew by me right as I passed the Trooper; Trooper didn't show up to the hearing and it was greatly reduced. Last one was about ten years ago. None ever affected my insurance. So, sure, I'm down about $400 altogether and a little time for court appearances (and the lawyer racket in Waverly) over...30 years of driving or so? So, congratulations on those savings while you putt-putt around.
I've found that you can speed a little and be just fine.
Quote from: Rothman on August 10, 2022, 08:41:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 10, 2022, 08:38:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 09, 2022, 03:07:56 PM
So the main arguments for radar detectors so far are 1) they're necessary to identify police running radar, and 2) identifying police running radar should change your driving behavior.
I don't believe either of those things are necessarily true. For 1), you can usually spot them in advance if you're alert
Do the police not use unmarked cars, park behind obstructions, or write tickets at night where you are?
I've never owned a radar detector–I just set cruise to the speed limit and grumble when it's underposted–but I think any pretense that the cops "play fair" when it comes to being able to spot them without technological aids is wishful thinking.
Cruise to the speed limit? How achingly slow.
I live in Oklahoma.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zf9dPp9.jpg)
Quote from: Rothman on August 10, 2022, 10:26:58 PM
Eh, sure I've had a few speeding tickets (three, I think). One was from a nasty speed trap in Waverly, VA where anyone would have gotten a ticket (I sped up to the higher speed limit sign about 100 feet in front of it)...another was in a work zone where another car flew by me right as I passed the Trooper; Trooper didn't show up to the hearing and it was greatly reduced. Last one was about ten years ago. None ever affected my insurance. So, sure, I'm down about $400 altogether and a little time for court appearances (and the lawyer racket in Waverly) over...30 years of driving or so? So, congratulations on those savings while you putt-putt around.
I've found that you can speed a little and be just fine.
Of course for the most part you'll be fine. I've driven excessively before on a few occasions. It's not like I'm one of those idiots who slams on the brakes as soon as they hit 1 over. For me, it's a few things. If I'm going to be driving 8-10 or more hours in a day, having to keep an eye out for cops or wondering about that random Explorer tailing me for 20 miles despite ample passing opportunities is a stressor I don't need. In general I'm just not in the mood to let cops decide if they feel like fucking with me or not based on their mood or some department directive or whatever. I know I'm in the extreme minority on this subject, but speeding just doesn't excite me. But you guys do you.
It's somewhat satisfying when you know you're pissing them off by driving under the limit. I was in Bonanza, Arkansas, yesterday, and there was a very obviously posted cop with his windows rolled down along AR-45. I went by at around 25 mph since that's what the "downtown small town" speed limit in Oklahoma tends to be–turns out the limit there was 40, which explained the exasperated expression on his face and the "hurry it up" hand gesture he did.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 11, 2022, 01:09:33 AM
For me, it's a few things. If I'm going to be driving 8-10 or more hours in a day, having to keep an eye out for cops or wondering about that random Explorer tailing me for 20 miles despite ample passing opportunities is a stressor I don't need.
I think I alluded to this upthread, but watching for cops is part of what helps me keep awake on longer road trips, especially at twilight/dusk and beyond.
And again it is important to note the regional differences here, because speeding less than 10 over is basically a non-issue in the Northeast, to the point where I don't necessarily slow down to the speed limit when passing a cop on the Thruway.
Let's see: The whole road is 469 miles long, and the maximum speed limit is 45 MPH, so assuming you don't stop anywhere along the way, you'll make it to the other end in a little bit under 10 1/2 hours. The speed limit is lower in places, which increases the drive time, but it's still doable.
Add Skyline Drive to the mix, and things get a bit tougher. It's 105 miles long, but the speed limit is only 35 MPH, so you'll clinch the whole thing in 3 hours. So anywhere between 13 1/2 to 14 hours will be the total drive time if you include both roads on your trip. While the combined journey can be made in one day, it's definitely not advisable to do so, especially since you may want to take breaks while you're on it.
What a blast on the Blue Ridge Parkway!
https://youtu.be/W3aYCUvhRcM
Just because the top speed limit is 45 doesn't mean you can drive the whole thing at 45. There are some curves that require slowing down to a much slower rate of speed, just like any rural road in the surrounding areas that might be posted at 55 mph. There are plenty of straight stretches where you can air it out to 60 or thereabouts, but you'll have to slow down soon enough to negotiate a turn.
I think two days with good weather would be sufficient to enjoy the road. I'm not sure where the halfway point is. Asheville seems too far south and Roanoke too far north. There are lodging options in the Hillsville area, not far from where the BRP crosses US 52 and I-77 near Fancy Gap. And there's a Sheetz at Galax.
We have other radar detector threads, but in general my derived benefit from using one is not on freeways, as I don't tend to go above 80, but on Kentucky's four-lanes that are underposted at 55, and on little wide spots in the road where limits are reduced to 45 or 35 or even 25.
Quote from: webny99 on August 11, 2022, 10:04:38 AM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 11, 2022, 01:09:33 AM
For me, it's a few things. If I'm going to be driving 8-10 or more hours in a day, having to keep an eye out for cops or wondering about that random Explorer tailing me for 20 miles despite ample passing opportunities is a stressor I don't need.
I think I alluded to this upthread, but watching for cops is part of what helps me keep awake on longer road trips, especially at twilight/dusk and beyond.
And again it is important to note the regional differences here, because speeding less than 10 over is basically a non-issue in the Northeast, to the point where I don't necessarily slow down to the speed limit when passing a cop on the Thruway.
Do you slow down for cops at all and/or is your normal driving speed less than 10 over? Because even outside the Northeast I would think that those of us that drive 80 on a freeway slow down to 75 or 70 when passing a cop where the speed limit is 70 or 65.
Quote from: ran4sh on August 12, 2022, 03:23:29 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 11, 2022, 10:04:38 AM
...
And again it is important to note the regional differences here, because speeding less than 10 over is basically a non-issue in the Northeast, to the point where I don't necessarily slow down to the speed limit when passing a cop on the Thruway.
Do you slow down for cops at all and/or is your normal driving speed less than 10 over? Because even outside the Northeast I would think that those of us that drive 80 on a freeway slow down to 75 or 70 when passing a cop where the speed limit is 70 or 65.
Yes, I will slow down to a max of 10 over when passing a cop, often down to 5 over or the speed limit as the flow of traffic dictates. And my normal speed is 70 mph on 55 mph freeways and 10-15 over on most other roads, depending on context, so that does usually require slowing down a bit, but not to the point where you're out of luck if you don't see the cop in advance.
But on long trips/when using cruise control, I will normally set the cruise around 10 over and then accelerate if I want to go faster, so "slowing down" often means just letting off the accelerator until past the cop.
Quote from: webny99 on August 10, 2022, 09:38:21 PM
I seem to recall cops hiding on the right side of the roadway on I-81 in Virginia, which I thought was egregious. I've rarely seen that in NY, if ever.
Well, that was a predictable turn of events. Of course, I jinxed it. Just today I saw a cop running radar
sitting under this VMS (https://goo.gl/maps/vncTMMUPZaHS6rgJ8) on I-590. Mid afternoon traffic was heavy and I was in the left lane so I almost didn't see him, and may not have if not for other traffic braking/slowing down. Location noted for future trips. :)
Roadgeekteen, I'm curious if you ever ended up driving on any of the Blue Ridge Pkwy or Skyline Drive, and if so, what you thought of driving the whole thing in one day. :D
In my experience on the BRP, cyclists and fauna (deer) are bigger concerns for watching your speed than police. I only saw park rangers, not state or local. But it's quite a drive.
I would say it's the same. I did Skyline Drive this summer and never saw any police. I was going about 45 mph the whole way. Although I saw more bikes on US 211 approaching Thornton's Gap than in the park itself.
I saw a couple speed traps when I drove the Parkway back in 2007 on a fall colors trip. (One was around Roanoke where it looked like some locals used the BRP as a bypass. The other was after a long downhill between there and Boone but I don't remember exactly where.) I took three days plus one additional day for the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville. I started the first day from my home in Portsmouth VA, so it's really about 2.5 days. It could probably be done in two days but I wouldn't do it any faster. If you only have one day, you can probably see a few highlights like Mt Mitchell and the Mabry Mill and drive just a few smaller sections while otherwise using the nearby highways to save time (some of which are quick beautiful themselves). I didn't do Skyline Drive then because I had seen it previously, though I will recommend it if you haven't seen it.
I did end up doing parts of the parkway is random chunks throughout the route, including Mount Mitchell. I also did the whole Skyline Drive.
To answer the question, it would be a very long day, and probably not an enjoyable one.
To address other topics here, I once (October 1994) got a speeding ticket in Grand Canyon National Park, on the north side, between the north rim and the Utah border. I remember it was rather expensive (well into triple digits in $$$, and nearly 30 years ago). So yes that can happen.
I have had more than my share of speeding tickets despite being a rather slow driver (compared to what I read here). I tend to drive closer to the speed limit, not only to avoid tickets but also for fuel economy.
Many of the speeding tickets occurred in NJ, in which (at least in the '90s, when all this occurred) each town had their own police force which I assume had to raise revenue. I got speeding tickets on I-195 around the Six Flags exit -- there were places along the side of the road where the cops would hide. I also got tickets in Tinton Township (near Red Bank in the eastern part of the state), Lambertville (right across the Delaware River from New Hope PA), Howell Township (right near eastern end of I-195), and Brigantine (town immediately north of Atlantic City) for one thing or another (not speeding).
Funny thing was, for all of those tickets, I had a PA plate since I lived there (therefore was out of state which must have lit up the (collective) cops' eyes). I paid all the tickets, and none of them ever showed up on my record. Hmmmm.
Later, in 2001, I got a ticket on I-66 in Virginia, right near the Vienna metro station. I had a VA plate then, and that one DID show up on my record.
Have not gotten one since (22 years and counting).
I just drove Skyline Drive a little over a week ago. Most people were driving the straighter stretches at 40-45 (5-10 over). I didn't see anything that resembled a cop. I then continued onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, and most people were driving the straighter stretches at 5-10 over. I didn't see any cops there, either. However, I found the road pretty boring, and dropped off after 45 miles at US-60. Even Skyline wasn't that interesting, but it had some nice views. I guess I'm spoiled by the Southwest: continuous views almost all the time, with a lot of variety.
I suppose various colors of dirt would be a sort of variety. :D. The idea of views being continuous on I-10 west of Phoenix (for example) and rivaling the BRP is certainly a unique position.
That said, at the recent convention of the National Park Travelers Club, a representative of a support foundation for the Blue Ridge Parkway admitted that the VA section of the road is a bit underwhelming, at least further south than you were, actually.
Still, the BRP down in NC has some of the most spectacular views in the country, in my opinion (as do a few roads in the Southwest that come to mind, but saying that the Southwest is continuously scenic everywhere is a bit much :D).
Then again, saying Skyline Drive was boring except for some nice views is also a little amusing. Anyone giving an NPS map even a cursory look would know that it is a ridge road with overlooks. Not sure what else one would expect. Entertainment? Comedy acts and bands at every stop? :D
LOL I have an uncle that lives in Vermont and one that lived in North Carolina before he died in 2008 but anyway my uncle from Vermont was going to visit my uncle from North Carolina and decided to take the Blue Ridge Parkway. My uncle from NC told him that taking the Blue Ridge Parkway is going to take a lot longer.
Quote from: Rothman on October 17, 2023, 07:16:06 AM
I suppose various colors of dirt would be a sort of variety. :D. The idea of views being continuous on I-10 west of Phoenix (for example) and rivaling the BRP is certainly a unique position.
That said, at the recent convention of the National Park Travelers Club, a representative of a support foundation for the Blue Ridge Parkway admitted that the VA section of the road is a bit underwhelming, at least further south than you were, actually.
Still, the BRP down in NC has some of the most spectacular views in the country, in my opinion (as do a few roads in the Southwest that come to mind, but saying that the Southwest is continuously scenic everywhere is a bit much :D).
Then again, saying Skyline Drive was boring except for some nice views is also a little amusing. Anyone giving an NPS map even a cursory look would know that it is a ridge road with overlooks. Not sure what else one would expect. Entertainment? Comedy acts and bands at every stop? :D
I think you misread me. I didn't mean to imply that every road in the Southwest is spectacular, or even scenic. The low desert in the southern parts of CA/AZ/NM tends to be less beautiful or interesting. But the roads that are spectacular are generally continuously spectacular, not just a short burst of spectacular every few miles. US-395 in the Owens Valley. Badwater Road in Death Valley. CA-120 and CA-108 over the mountains have long stretches of open views. US-89 and US-89A in northern AZ and southern UT. UT-12 and UT-24 and Monument Valley with their amazing rock formations.
I noticed this feeling while driving through Skyline: I felt slightly claustrophobic in the corridors of trees, and every now and then there was a respite that you could stretch out by stopping. Then back into the trees.
I've felt that even worse in the PacNW, where I lived for a while. You can drive along the old US-30 in the Gorge, right next to the Columbia River, and rarely see any of it due to 10 feet of trees and bushes between the road and the edge of the cliff.
Quote from: pderocco on October 18, 2023, 12:51:05 AM
Quote from: Rothman on October 17, 2023, 07:16:06 AM
I suppose various colors of dirt would be a sort of variety. :D. The idea of views being continuous on I-10 west of Phoenix (for example) and rivaling the BRP is certainly a unique position.
That said, at the recent convention of the National Park Travelers Club, a representative of a support foundation for the Blue Ridge Parkway admitted that the VA section of the road is a bit underwhelming, at least further south than you were, actually.
Still, the BRP down in NC has some of the most spectacular views in the country, in my opinion (as do a few roads in the Southwest that come to mind, but saying that the Southwest is continuously scenic everywhere is a bit much :D).
Then again, saying Skyline Drive was boring except for some nice views is also a little amusing. Anyone giving an NPS map even a cursory look would know that it is a ridge road with overlooks. Not sure what else one would expect. Entertainment? Comedy acts and bands at every stop? :D
I think you misread me. I didn't mean to imply that every road in the Southwest is spectacular, or even scenic. The low desert in the southern parts of CA/AZ/NM tends to be less beautiful or interesting. But the roads that are spectacular are generally continuously spectacular, not just a short burst of spectacular every few miles. US-395 in the Owens Valley. Badwater Road in Death Valley. CA-120 and CA-108 over the mountains have long stretches of open views. US-89 and US-89A in northern AZ and southern UT. UT-12 and UT-24 and Monument Valley with their amazing rock formations.
I noticed this feeling while driving through Skyline: I felt slightly claustrophobic in the corridors of trees, and every now and then there was a respite that you could stretch out by stopping. Then back into the trees.
I've felt that even worse in the PacNW, where I lived for a while. You can drive along the old US-30 in the Gorge, right next to the Columbia River, and rarely see any of it due to 10 feet of trees and bushes between the road and the edge of the cliff.
I've lived out west from time to time and have had a couple of tree-hating friends from out there as well ("I can't see..."). Then again, my wife, who's from the Salt Lake Valley, was entranced by the eastern greenery (even just along the most boring stretches of the Thruway), and still enjoys how much life there is out here (while bemoaning some drawbacks of leaving the desert behind, like mud).
That said, although I agree with you on some of those drives compared to the BRP, it is still a sort of interesting position. Yep, not every road is spectacular out there, juat like not every road is spectacular out here.
And then there are those people that love driving through our forests in the fall due to the colors, lack of expansive views notwithstanding...
Quote from: pderocco on October 18, 2023, 12:51:05 AM
I think you misread me. I didn't mean to imply that every road in the Southwest is spectacular, or even scenic. The low desert in the southern parts of CA/AZ/NM tends to be less beautiful or interesting. But the roads that are spectacular are generally continuously spectacular, not just a short burst of spectacular every few miles. US-395 in the Owens Valley. Badwater Road in Death Valley. CA-120 and CA-108 over the mountains have long stretches of open views. US-89 and US-89A in northern AZ and southern UT. UT-12 and UT-24 and Monument Valley with their amazing rock formations.
I'm not sure I would call Utah 24 east of Hanksville particularly interesting. I guess you do have the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell to look at, but it's not all that close, and 24 itself and the entire landscape to the east is just flat desert.
To be fair, that opinion might be influenced by the fact that I drove that section right after Utah 95, which is right behind Utah 12 for most amazing highway I have ever driven.
Yes, I should have included UT-95. Oh, and the Moki Dugway on UT-261.
Quote from: pderocco on October 18, 2023, 11:39:19 PM
Yes, I should have included UT-95. Oh, and the Moki Dugway on UT-261.
The Dugway is awesome as a passenger, but as a driver the road itself demands too much of your attention to really take in the scenery. The actual road is tamer than a lot of people make it seem - the real danger is all the Monument Valley tourists who have never seen a winding road in their life much less one with an unpaved surface.
At least that was my experience a couple years ago. From the top of the Dugway, you can drive 5 miles west on fairly good dirt roads to Muley Point, where you will get a far better vista than anything the Dugway will give you. I watched a sunset from up there and it is still high on the list of most inspiring experiences I've had.
Quote from: US 89 on October 20, 2023, 12:41:55 AM
At least that was my experience a couple years ago. From the top of the Dugway, you can drive 5 miles west on fairly good dirt roads to Muley Point, where you will get a far better vista than anything the Dugway will give you. I watched a sunset from up there and it is still high on the list of most inspiring experiences I've had.
Good tip.
Quote from: Rothman on August 07, 2022, 04:12:52 PM
If you're including Skyline Drive, the drive through Shenandoah National Park is spectacular.
Speed is strictly enforced, used to be 35 mph.
Thanks for reminding me. My parents (actually my father) drove my family up the Skyline Drive 41 years ago. It was really the only part I've ever been on. But the 35 mph speed limit was a pain in the ass to put up with, despite the mountainous terrain justifying it.
Also, even though they're also strict about the passenger cars only rule, I saw a motorhome on the parkway.
There isn't a passenger car only rule on the BRP.
Quote from: D-Dey65 on October 22, 2023, 11:11:02 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 07, 2022, 04:12:52 PM
If you're including Skyline Drive, the drive through Shenandoah National Park is spectacular.
Speed is strictly enforced, used to be 35 mph.
Thanks for reminding me. My parents (actually my father) drove my family up the Skyline Drive 41 years ago. It was really the only part I've ever been on. But the 35 mph speed limit was a pain in the ass to put up with, despite the mountainous terrain justifying it.
Also, even though they're also strict about the passenger cars only rule, I saw a motorhome on the parkway.
The ban is only for commercial vehicles -- or vehicles that can fit through the tunnels. Motorhomes are perfectly fine.
If you're trying to make the drive as fast as possible, that's what I-26 and I-81 is for.
Take it slow, enjoy the ride.
And go ahead and drive Skyline Drive as an extension while you're at it if you have the time.
My turn to ask about the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Dr.
I am planning to incorporate driving the Blue Ridge into my trip to Charlotte for A.J.'s City meet.
Is it better to drive from the north to the south, or from the south to the north?
Haven't decided if I want to do this before the roadmeet, or after the roadmeet.
(and no, I'm not looking to do this in one day)
I guess I should have posted the NPS Road Closures link (https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm) here by now.
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 23, 2024, 01:24:17 PM
My turn to ask about the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Dr.
I am planning to incorporate driving the Blue Ridge into my trip to Charlotte for A.J.'s City meet.
Is it better to drive from the north to the south, or from the south to the north?
Haven't decided if I want to do this before the roadmeet, or after the roadmeet.
(and no, I'm not looking to do this in one day)
I don't think it matters, which direction. As 74 points out, there are closures along it.
People just think the not-so-ridgey part of it in southern VA is underwhelming. Still, I find the drive through Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive and from Boone, NC south to be spectacular, with many overlooks worth a stop.
The previous discussion about the speed limits on the Blue Ridge Parkway reminded me of my trip to Yellowstone NP a few years ago. I booked lodging outside the park outside Moran, WY. That looked reasonable enough on a map, but I underestimated by a bunch how long it would take to get around Yellowstone.
Doing the typical touristy sightseeing in late September (not a peak time), it took 10 hours to drive from the Grand Tetons NP entrance at Moran, north to the south Yellowstone entrance, then along the west side of the Grand Loop Rd and north to Mammoth Hot Springs. Driving straight back to camp with no stops, respecting the 25-45 mph speed limits and the large creatures appearing out of nowhere in the dark, took 3 hours.
Don't expect to get anywhere fast on a road maintained by the National Park Service.
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 23, 2024, 01:24:17 PM
My turn to ask about the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Dr.
I am planning to incorporate driving the Blue Ridge into my trip to Charlotte for A.J.'s City meet.
Is it better to drive from the north to the south, or from the south to the north?
Haven't decided if I want to do this before the roadmeet, or after the roadmeet.
(and no, I'm not looking to do this in one day)
Come to find out this is all a moot point.
Both of my supervisors will be on vacation through the first half of the week leading up to the Charlotte roadmeet. I'll still be able to get my time off to make Charlotte, but I'll have to drive the Blue Ridge from the south going north, after the meet.
Quote from: webny99 on August 08, 2022, 10:43:35 PM
^ That reminds me of an experience I had on I-390 the other day. I was moving along at around 80 mph (speed limit 65) when I noticed a state trooper in the median. I slowed to about 70 mph, went past, and the trooper pulled out not far behind me. At that point I was a bit nervous so I stayed right and didn't speed back up. The trooper approached and eventually went past. Not long afterwards, a Mazda went past a pretty good clip and caught up to the trooper. He was behind him for a bit and probably intended to stay there, but then the trooper quickly moved right and slowed way down. Seconds later, boom, lights flashing behind the Mazda.
While I counted my lucky stars, I couldn't help but wonder if he had already caught the Mazda before he even pulled out of the median.
A few years ago I was heading SB on I-75 south of the US-23 split in Flint. There was a SUV in the left lane with Texas plates doing well over the speed limit. I was doing 80 and the guy with Texas plates was approaching a MSP trooper, I heard my radar decector going off so I knew I was approach a cop. The cop was in the right lane traveling the same direction as us, the guy with Texas plates blows past the cop and right away the cop threw his lights on and chased him. I kept it around 80 and a few miles up the road the cop had the car pulled over, I saw the cop walking up to the car with his gun pointing at the driver and saw the idiots hands sticking out the window. I thought what an idiot.
Well, at least he didn't go over 80 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I live less than an hour from the BRP.
Yes, you can drive the entire 469 miles in one day BUT I strongly recommend against it. The BRP is not a freeway and is intended to be enjoyed. Take your time (make it a 3-4 day trip), pull over and enjoy the views, and exit the parkway to check out some of the local attractions.
Where is the blue ridge parkway?
Quote from: WhyLifeIs4 on March 04, 2024, 09:27:37 AM
Where is the blue ridge parkway?
It runs through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. I've been on the North Carolina portion and it's an amazing drive.
Quote from: Flint1979 on March 03, 2024, 10:08:24 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 08, 2022, 10:43:35 PM
^ That reminds me of an experience I had on I-390 the other day. I was moving along at around 80 mph (speed limit 65) when I noticed a state trooper in the median. I slowed to about 70 mph, went past, and the trooper pulled out not far behind me. At that point I was a bit nervous so I stayed right and didn't speed back up. The trooper approached and eventually went past. Not long afterwards, a Mazda went past a pretty good clip and caught up to the trooper. He was behind him for a bit and probably intended to stay there, but then the trooper quickly moved right and slowed way down. Seconds later, boom, lights flashing behind the Mazda.
While I counted my lucky stars, I couldn't help but wonder if he had already caught the Mazda before he even pulled out of the median.
A few years ago I was heading SB on I-75 south of the US-23 split in Flint. There was a SUV in the left lane with Texas plates doing well over the speed limit. I was doing 80 and the guy with Texas plates was approaching a MSP trooper, I heard my radar decector going off so I knew I was approach a cop. The cop was in the right lane traveling the same direction as us, the guy with Texas plates blows past the cop and right away the cop threw his lights on and chased him. I kept it around 80 and a few miles up the road the cop had the car pulled over, I saw the cop walking up to the car with his gun pointing at the driver and saw the idiots hands sticking out the window. I thought what an idiot.
I suppose this could be a separate thread, but I remember back in the 1990s when the first piece of I-540 in North Carolina opened (the small section between I-40 and US-70), it was the place to go when you wanted to see what your car could do because there was almost nobody on the road. The cops knew that, of course. I was out there one day going 90+ mph when I thought I saw a car sitting on an on-ramp up ahead, so I slowed down. Another car blew past me. Sure enough, the car on the ramp was a cop. He pulled over the other car and as he got out of his car, I went by at about the speed limit and he nodded at me as I went past—I've always assumed that was a way of saying, "I know how fast you were going, but you at least slowed down when you saw me."
Quote from: BlueOutback7 on March 04, 2024, 09:29:11 AM
Quote from: WhyLifeIs4 on March 04, 2024, 09:27:37 AM
Where is the blue ridge parkway?
That sounds amazing
It runs through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. I've been on the North Carolina portion and it's an amazing drive.
Quote from: JREwing78 on February 24, 2024, 02:13:43 AM
Don't expect to get anywhere fast on a road maintained by the National Park Service.
Unless it's the Baltimore-Washington Parkway outside of rush hour.
Quote from: epzik8 on March 06, 2024, 09:39:52 AM
Quote from: JREwing78 on February 24, 2024, 02:13:43 AM
Don't expect to get anywhere fast on a road maintained by the National Park Service.
Unless it's the Baltimore-Washington Parkway outside of rush hour.
It's the "I wanted to race around Yellowstone and there were animals in my way" about his attitude that struck me.
Drove NC 191 to 23/74 today. About 3 miles from 191 had to stop to allow a momma bear and cub cross the road.