As some of you know, I recently got a new car that I'm super happy about and I've got a lot of PTO to burn. I love the concept of the backroads of appalachia map but I am wondering here if anyone has any resources where the trails can be overlayed on a giant map so I know where they all actually start so I can link them together. I could manually look at them but I also don't know which ones are "fun/technical" or which ones are scenic. Also, some are looped and some are point to point. If anyone is from the area or has driven these before, I would love some tips. My initial plans so far:
1) Skyline Drive - Shenandoah National Park
2) Blue Ridge Parkway
3) Tail of the Dragon/surrounding area
then I plan to make my way back to New Jersey with some of those trails mentioned in the app. I understand this might not be easy to find information for but I figured I'd post it here.
ChatGPT. I recently learned how good it is at stuff like this. Planning a road trip from Jacksonville, FL to NJ with my daughter. Gave it start/stop times, asked for interesting places to say on the drive back. It came back with suggested cities for stopping as well as interesting hotel recommendations. Then I added I wanted to see the Blue Ridge Parkway (assuming she does too) and it came up with a bunch of different suggestions. It will spit out driving directions too.
I entered your full post. It misinterpreted some things but it came back with a great resource: https://backroadsofappalachia.org/ which breaks down all the trails and maps them. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to have an overall view though.
I love driving Skyline Drive and the BRP, but you have to keep in mind that the speed limits are very low on both, so plan accordingly.
Pretty much any wiggly road through WV is Not Disappointing, and I'd assume the same for the mountain part of Virginia etc.
I did Skyline Drive last December. I second BoxheadTim's notion - the speed limits were fairly low, but in the winter with snow and unsalted roads, probably a good thing.
BoxheadTim said:
I love driving Skyline Drive and the BRP, but you have to keep in mind that the speed limits are very low on both, so plan accordingly.
Pretty much any wiggly road through WV is Not Disappointing, and I'd assume the same for the mountain part of Virginia etc.
Oh yeah, I have driven them before actually. I don't plan on speeding like crazy or anything like that. The scenery and nice feel of the curves is enough for me. I ended up messaging backroads of appalachia's instagram account and they said they were coming up with exactly what I'm looking for in the fall. Timing may be perfect!
I just road tripped a GRM purchase home from FL to MD via the Blue Ridge mountains over the last few days. Like BoxheadTim says, any twisty road is likely good - especially if it crosses the mountains. Much of the BRP is 45 mph vs. 35 mph on Skyline Drive. I find 45ish to be pleasant and 35 to be a little bit on the frustrating side. We even ended up on ~20 miles of dirt/gravel roads by accident a little north of Roanoke on the west side of the BRP.
Have fun!
Note that the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are national parks and 10 mph over the speed limit qualifies one for a reckless driving charge in a national park instead of the 20 mph over that gets you that ticket in most states.
Much of the BRP is closed from Mt Pisgah up to Lin Ville Falls. But there are interesting workarounds. Mt Mitchell may not open this year.
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
Note - this should be considered true in all of Virginia. They don't play with speeding fines there!
Purple Frog said:
Much of the BRP is closed from Mt Pisgah up to Lin Ville Falls. But there are interesting workarounds. Mt Mitchell may not open this year.
Now this is news to me! I guess I'll have to save this idea for another year.
In reply to bbbbRASS :
True, but most of the state and locally owned mountain roads that are posted at 35 mph or 45 mph are nowhere near as nice as BRP & Skyline Dr, so it is not as "inviting" to hammer down.
