8 Tips for Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip: Route, Cost, Weather, Hiking & More
video description
Date: 2023-08-24
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 22
Mixeddrinks
we have a Garmin GPS specifically for road trips, before a trip, I would reset the whole thing, put in all the stops we are going to make in backwards order. On the GPS that puts everything in order. It doesn't need cell signal, so works in wilderness. Best part no taking your phone off mount at every stop and if you make a detour the GPS will still try to aim at your next destination, your phone can be used for other things. Can just keep the GPS mounted, unless it is some really shitty neighborhood no one is going to try to steal a GPS. No need to worry about pairing your phone to the rental car and searching for the next location each time. Map apps works great for direction to one place when you type by name, for 30+ stops, just doesn't work well.
Side note, knew it would cost ya when you said one way rental, everytime we plan a trip, we end up just adding more days to do a round trip thru a different route to keep the cost down, usually if we can stretch the rental to a week cost actually goes down as well, and returning it to the same place keeps it down too. Your cost is actually cheaper than I thought it would cost at the end.
reply
we have a Garmin GPS specifically for road trips, before a trip, I would reset the whole thing, put in all the stops we are going to make in backwards order. On the GPS that puts everything in order. It doesn't need cell signal, so works in wilderness. Best part no taking your phone off mount at every stop and if you make a detour the GPS will still try to aim at your next destination, your phone can be used for other things. Can just keep the GPS mounted, unless it is some really shitty neighborhood no one is going to try to steal a GPS. No need to worry about pairing your phone to the rental car and searching for the next location each time. Map apps works great for direction to one place when you type by name, for 30+ stops, just doesn't work well.
Side note, knew it would cost ya when you said one way rental, everytime we plan a trip, we end up just adding more days to do a round trip thru a different route to keep the cost down, usually if we can stretch the rental to a week cost actually goes down as well, and returning it to the same place keeps it down too. Your cost is actually cheaper than I thought it would cost at the end.
reply
Madelyn
Enjoy yalls adventures and videos! Thank you for sharing your journeys! Food and gas isnt that limited as there are good access points from the Pkwy to nearby/close towns and communities. But, I totally agree, take plenty of drinks and snacks to have along the way. Also, several map publications that are free & can be picked up all around the Pkwy often denote where gas is available. Also, lodging is pretty available as well. There are somewhat parallel roadways to the Pkwy with local hotels and larger communities with national chains that are located at good daily breakpoints. Bathrooms are the most challenging to find in the park. Planning a cross country trip is more difficult for sure, but this National Park is far easier to plan for than the larger, remote parks out west. Safe travels and happy trails all!
reply
Enjoy yalls adventures and videos! Thank you for sharing your journeys! Food and gas isnt that limited as there are good access points from the Pkwy to nearby/close towns and communities. But, I totally agree, take plenty of drinks and snacks to have along the way. Also, several map publications that are free & can be picked up all around the Pkwy often denote where gas is available. Also, lodging is pretty available as well. There are somewhat parallel roadways to the Pkwy with local hotels and larger communities with national chains that are located at good daily breakpoints. Bathrooms are the most challenging to find in the park. Planning a cross country trip is more difficult for sure, but this National Park is far easier to plan for than the larger, remote parks out west. Safe travels and happy trails all!
reply
Gary
I'm sorry but don't know your name. but wanted to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE all the videos you do with your dad. I think that is just about the coolest thing in the world. Plus you are a natural at narrating your adentures; always so perfectly smooth and detailed. A question if you don't mind, and apologies if it is too personal. But I was wondering about your mother, as I've never seen her or heard you mention her in any of your videos. Has she passed on (sorry if yes, or if still living does she just consider you & your dad traveling together a guy thing? Very curious. THANK YOU for all the fantastic videos, and keep up the great work! Gary from Rochester, NY
reply
I'm sorry but don't know your name. but wanted to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE all the videos you do with your dad. I think that is just about the coolest thing in the world. Plus you are a natural at narrating your adentures; always so perfectly smooth and detailed. A question if you don't mind, and apologies if it is too personal. But I was wondering about your mother, as I've never seen her or heard you mention her in any of your videos. Has she passed on (sorry if yes, or if still living does she just consider you & your dad traveling together a guy thing? Very curious. THANK YOU for all the fantastic videos, and keep up the great work! Gary from Rochester, NY
reply
Paula
I was wondering about the travel trailer thing too. Ours is a little vintage trailer (13) so I was wondering about camping along the route? We have a solar set up so wouldnt need hook ups necessarily. I bought your E books for both the New England trip and for this one, and will be watching your Shenandoah Valley video to get info on that too. Really love it you travel with your dad. My mom and I were travel hounds and toured the Wild West before she passed away. Some of the best memories of her and of travel!
reply
I was wondering about the travel trailer thing too. Ours is a little vintage trailer (13) so I was wondering about camping along the route? We have a solar set up so wouldnt need hook ups necessarily. I bought your E books for both the New England trip and for this one, and will be watching your Shenandoah Valley video to get info on that too. Really love it you travel with your dad. My mom and I were travel hounds and toured the Wild West before she passed away. Some of the best memories of her and of travel!
reply
Paula
I was wondering about the travel trailer thing too. Ours is a little vintage trailer (13) so I was wondering about camping along the route? We have a solar set up so wouldnt need hook ups necessarily. I bought your E books for both the New England trip and for this one, and will be watching your Shenandoah Valley video to get info on that too. Really love it you travel with your dad. My mom and I were travel hounds and toured the Wild West before she passed away. Some of the best memories of her and of travel!
reply
I was wondering about the travel trailer thing too. Ours is a little vintage trailer (13) so I was wondering about camping along the route? We have a solar set up so wouldnt need hook ups necessarily. I bought your E books for both the New England trip and for this one, and will be watching your Shenandoah Valley video to get info on that too. Really love it you travel with your dad. My mom and I were travel hounds and toured the Wild West before she passed away. Some of the best memories of her and of travel!
reply
This
I used to live around that area surrounding the parkway. It was routine to go to one trail or another every few days when I lived there. I worked in Lynchburg and Roanoke and went to college in Blacksburg and Charlottesville. in total about 15 years in the area.
So many trails and overlooks I can't remember the names.
They are serious about getting you OFF the mountain when its going to snow.
There are some narrow roads with very steep drop-offs. enjoy the drive and take your time.
reply
I used to live around that area surrounding the parkway. It was routine to go to one trail or another every few days when I lived there. I worked in Lynchburg and Roanoke and went to college in Blacksburg and Charlottesville. in total about 15 years in the area.
So many trails and overlooks I can't remember the names.
They are serious about getting you OFF the mountain when its going to snow.
There are some narrow roads with very steep drop-offs. enjoy the drive and take your time.
reply
Mike
I'm driving from Birmingham, AL to Wayneboro and going North to South and taking 4 or 5 days to complete. I really don't want to lock down hotel accommodations because I want to go at my own pace and stop when I feel like it. Did you have any trouble finding rooms? I appreciate your thorough information on your trips. My brother and I are going to Alaska in June and your video was very helpful with planning that trip.
reply
I'm driving from Birmingham, AL to Wayneboro and going North to South and taking 4 or 5 days to complete. I really don't want to lock down hotel accommodations because I want to go at my own pace and stop when I feel like it. Did you have any trouble finding rooms? I appreciate your thorough information on your trips. My brother and I are going to Alaska in June and your video was very helpful with planning that trip.
reply
Aurora
We hit fog in Fancy Gap, Va. It was quite frightening. We live in Northeast and are use to fog banks rolling in from ocean, as well as Blizzard white outs. BUT this Fog was worse than any of above. 10-15 at most visibility. Made worse by not knowing the area. Learned this is very common occurrence in the Gaps. Take note tourists. btw the weather was cloudy in Roanoke but not rain and why we were caught off guard.
reply
We hit fog in Fancy Gap, Va. It was quite frightening. We live in Northeast and are use to fog banks rolling in from ocean, as well as Blizzard white outs. BUT this Fog was worse than any of above. 10-15 at most visibility. Made worse by not knowing the area. Learned this is very common occurrence in the Gaps. Take note tourists. btw the weather was cloudy in Roanoke but not rain and why we were caught off guard.
reply
Marie
What a beautiful trip across the mountains that makes my husband and I dream even if we will not be able to visit for we live far abroad. Such stunning and gorgeous sceneries and places full of history to see outside big cities that we didn t know. Nice to travel with your father too. A real pleasure to watch thank you for sharing and a big hello from France!
reply
What a beautiful trip across the mountains that makes my husband and I dream even if we will not be able to visit for we live far abroad. Such stunning and gorgeous sceneries and places full of history to see outside big cities that we didn t know. Nice to travel with your father too. A real pleasure to watch thank you for sharing and a big hello from France!
reply
Kat
I love your videos, sorry to use this video to ask but while Im watching mammoth lakes video you said to ask for suggestions to visit. I grew up camping in the sierras and have now lived in Virginia for decades. There are a few neat places I think ofone is the gold town of Downieville and camping at Gold Lake. Would be extra fun is you fished!
reply
I love your videos, sorry to use this video to ask but while Im watching mammoth lakes video you said to ask for suggestions to visit. I grew up camping in the sierras and have now lived in Virginia for decades. There are a few neat places I think ofone is the gold town of Downieville and camping at Gold Lake. Would be extra fun is you fished!
reply
John
I think the best bet for getting the best weather (no fog) would be to travel the parkway during the summer, although everyone says the best time to go is in the spring or fall. I drove the parkway in May and lost an entire day to fog. couldn't see a thing from any of the overlooks.
reply
I think the best bet for getting the best weather (no fog) would be to travel the parkway during the summer, although everyone says the best time to go is in the spring or fall. I drove the parkway in May and lost an entire day to fog. couldn't see a thing from any of the overlooks.
reply
mary
Josh, my family and I love your vids. Will you ever do a Video about Salem Mass for Halloween. I have always dreamed of going but wonder would it live up to expectations? Thx and keep up the awesome work! Your family and Father are adorable btw and we love your road trips with them
reply
Josh, my family and I love your vids. Will you ever do a Video about Salem Mass for Halloween. I have always dreamed of going but wonder would it live up to expectations? Thx and keep up the awesome work! Your family and Father are adorable btw and we love your road trips with them
reply
Janell
As for myself I would drive to Nashville from the St. Louis area. We would stop near Nashville and visit the town of Franklin, Tn. It is a very historical town where battle of Franklin was fought in the civil war. It is areally interesting town.
reply
As for myself I would drive to Nashville from the St. Louis area. We would stop near Nashville and visit the town of Franklin, Tn. It is a very historical town where battle of Franklin was fought in the civil war. It is areally interesting town.
reply
Binh
Love your long series of road trip and National Parks. Please make a Road trip on the East Coast and to upper New England during the fall. Also consider a long series on Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks
reply
Love your long series of road trip and National Parks. Please make a Road trip on the East Coast and to upper New England during the fall. Also consider a long series on Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks
reply
Just
This came at a great time for me as me and my son are about to roadtrip from New Orleans back to Baltimore. Hoping to drive through Blue Ridge on the way back! Thanks for this one!
reply
This came at a great time for me as me and my son are about to roadtrip from New Orleans back to Baltimore. Hoping to drive through Blue Ridge on the way back! Thanks for this one!
reply
Pro
Are there AirBnb or Vrbo options where there are no hotels? Its crazy to know how limited food and lodging were on a well known route. Thanks for the helpful tips as always!
reply
Are there AirBnb or Vrbo options where there are no hotels? Its crazy to know how limited food and lodging were on a well known route. Thanks for the helpful tips as always!
reply
Eduardo
Hi Sir, what its like drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in early November from entry near Ashville, stay in Roanoke, then take exit to Charlottesville?
reply
Hi Sir, what its like drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in early November from entry near Ashville, stay in Roanoke, then take exit to Charlottesville?
reply
Lots0fLollies
Would love it if you could mention how safe places are, would love to do this as we travel to USA often. Love your style of videos! Thanks
reply
Would love it if you could mention how safe places are, would love to do this as we travel to USA often. Love your style of videos! Thanks
reply
KLKiley
I was on the blue ridge once at an overlook in NC and saw a tornado probably around 20 miles away. It was wild.
reply
I was on the blue ridge once at an overlook in NC and saw a tornado probably around 20 miles away. It was wild.
reply
Teri
What paperback book did your Dad use? I noticed it on another video. He had lots of pages marked with stickies.
reply
What paperback book did your Dad use? I noticed it on another video. He had lots of pages marked with stickies.
reply
Doug
Is there a train ride through the blue ridge mountains? Would be nice to not have to drive for a solo mission
reply
Is there a train ride through the blue ridge mountains? Would be nice to not have to drive for a solo mission
reply
kathy
How do you afford this? What kind of work do you do to take these trips? It's amazing I want to go.
reply
How do you afford this? What kind of work do you do to take these trips? It's amazing I want to go.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
