Start Point for Blue Ridge Parkway
Replies: 50 - Last Post: Dec 20, 2012 1:32 AM Last Post By: ianw6705
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Start Point for Blue Ridge Parkway
Hi TeamJust a quick question - we wish to drive from the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and ultimately via Harpers Ferry to relatives in Maryland. This will be from 19 May for about ten days.
We will be flying in from San Francisco, and originally thought of Charlotte NC, but that involves back-tracking to see Great Smoky Mountains NP, Asheville and then the BRP north. So we are considering Knoxville, which also has some quite cheap fares from SFO on our preferred date according to kayak.com (seems generally cheaper than Atlanta).
But any other suggestions for an arrival airport? A one-way car rental (ultimately ending in NYC) is involved as well ... if that impacts on the choice of city.
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Wow I had not realized the BRP goes that far south. (I've driven it north starting from near Charlottesville VA.)I guess I can't help you much with a start point since I've never been that far south on it. I do know that from my starting point north, it was great to do things like stop and take a 2-4 our side-hike or travel my car to a nearby battle field or cave.
Still a lot of people just stay in their cars and drive it, and report a very pleasurable trip. Both BRP and SD were built for that exact purpose.
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As far as I know, Knoxville is the major airport closest to the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is 73 miles (118 Km) away by the shortest drive, distance wise, through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Study a map and find a way around Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg unless you want to do the tourist trap thing on the way past them. If you want a place to spend a night after your flight, you have literally thousands of rooms in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. BTW – Sevierville is pronounced "Severe-Ville" by the locals. Try to use the French pronunciation and nobody will know what you're talking about.The problem with the "short" routes that Google Maps will show you is that traffic through those three towns is excruciatingly slow during all but the wee hours. If you don't intend to stop, take I-40 east out of Knoxville to TN-66 (Winfield Dunn Parkway.) Turn south on TN-66 into Sevierville and continue south on US-441. When you reach Wear's Valley Road, US-321, turn right and drive southwest to Lyon's Springs Road then turn left into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A park map will show you how to reach the Blue Ridge Parkway. This route is about 86 miles long.
If you feel adventurous, you can find other routes. Try to spend a day or three in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Have a great time.
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Question Can you afford a one-way car rental ?Have you checked the rates for such a trip ?
Here's what you should consider
Flying from SFO to either DCA or IAD airports
in the nations capitol, flights direct with VirginAmerica airlines
prices on Kayak where very close to prices to Knoxville.
Rent your car and do a loop this will save you a lot of money
Take the train to "THE CITY".....NY NY
Enjoy your trip.
Edited by: yofletch
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Ian, I think Southwest flies into Nashville and BWI (Baltimore.) Harper's Ferry is a real time-warp gem.7
Yes, that's always useful information- if you say so.Holy crap on those one-way car rental rates!
Least expensive one-way rental from Knoxville north appears to be Baltimore or Richmond, VA
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Question Can you afford a one-way car rental ? YesHave you checked the rates for such a trip ? Yes
Yes - we usually manage to do large loops, or drop-off in places with low fees, but it doesn't really work this time. From Knoxville to NYC (via Maryland, Montreal, Nova Scotia, and Acadia NP). And what is jinlianeylin on I wonder?
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And what is jinlianeylin on I wonder?
There have been recent spam posts where "new posters" take an existing post and modify it to include that website. It'll be gone soon enough.Wow I had not realized the BRP goes that far south. (I've driven it north starting from near Charlottesville VA.)
Quick nitpick: The BRP does not go north of I-64.we usually manage to do large loops, or drop-off in places with low fees, but it doesn't really work this time. From Knoxville to NYC
Have you priced it from xAtlanta as well? It may make the difference in the flights.The route is a bit longer, but much less trodden.
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I knew someone would bring up (so to speak) biscuits & gravy - just because this time we are dipping our toes into the Confederacy (shudder)!And bzook - flights SFO > Knoxville were quite a lot cheaper than into Charlotte or Atlanta (best was United at $154.00 - sounds okay) - but I concede I haven't settled the one-way rental car price yet, for Knoxville to NYC v Atlanta to NYC.
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Any flight to Knoxville will be via a major hub like Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago or Wash DC.Besides Tail of the Dragon, the prettiest area of the BRB would be via Byson City to Asheville, via Mt Pisbah, and a side trip thru SMNP. Don't forget that in May the major start of the summer holiday is a 3 day weekend at Memorial Day, and the SMNP would be best avoided, promise. Avoid Gatlinburg as well unless you want Americana gone wrong in all its glory, and have kids in tow for the goofy tourist attractions and theme parks, otherwise, get a cabin a few days on the south end and ake day trips to park.
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Sounds good. Fortunately I have read Bill Bryson's wonderful description of Gatlinburg ... it was hilarious indeed, but it is something I will definitely avoid if I can possibly manage it.Yes - the cheapest flights (one-stop) SFO to Knoxville were via either Denver or Dallas - we can cope with that I trust.
