30

the BRP is lovely but there's one problem
You'll soon get bored of driving at 30 mph
and stopping to look at the views there are so many.
Interstate 81 runs parallel to the BRP in Virginia
enjoy.

31

If looping from DC, check Southwest and Alaska Air into BWI too. And check rental rates for pick-up from a city center or other off-airport location, they're sometimes cheaper.

32

Something else you need to look into:
Taking that car into xCanada. Agencies that far south may not allow it.

33

no need for Lexington a few hours, way out of way.....

34

Hey Mr ANGRY....I SAID......
Hmmm a good thought......
makes some sence indeed ...NOT !!

35

How do you figure?
As stated, if he is going to drive south from DC then come back north, it's a good break along the way.

36

#32, if you want to see fracking valleys, you'll have more luck in Pennsylvania.

37

LOL. And I actually do wish to see the Fallingwater House at Mill Run PA ... but I suspect I am the only member of our party who gets off enough on Frank Lloyd Wright.

38

Frank Lloyd Wright usonian home near Mt. Vernon

39

Hi - back again.

We have finalised all our flights from Australia (pretty good prices indeed), and now our proposed East Coast itinerary is as follows (where we spend the nights):

19 May - Marietta GA Super 8 (after arrival at Atlanta at 4:30pm, and pick up car)
20 May - GSMNP somewhere - not sure where is recommended
21 May - Boone (after Asheville and Biltmore)
22 May - Roanoke (along Blue Ridge Parkway)
23 May - Charlottesville (diverting and seeing Monticello)
24 May - Front Royal (Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP)
25 May - Westminster MD (with family, for long weekend)
26 May - Westminster MD (with family, for long weekend)

Does this sound a reasonable drive itinerary?

40

You're not going to have time for more than a quick drive-through of the Smokies. You'll either drive up I-75 most of the way and stay in the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area or you can take the "road less traveled" through Cherokee, NC. Either way, it is roughly a 4-hour drive (plus stops.) The beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway is at the Cherokee end of US-441as it leaves the Smokies.

Do you plan to see the park on the 20th? If you take the route from Marietta, GA through Gatlinburg and stay in Gatlinburg, my recommendation, you'll do some backtracking through the park. If you stay around Cherokee, you'll still have to backtrack through the park to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are far more and better options for lodging in the Gatlinburg area. Google can help. If you want a "less touristy" place to stay, you can try Townsend, TN. Actually, Townsend is more of a "rustic" touristy rather than an "early 21st century" touristy like Gatlinburg. Your options for places to stay in Townsend are limited. If you stay in Cherokee, you may find it to be "Indian touristy." Cherokee is part of the Cherokee Nation Indian Reservation. It has a casino, of course.
Either way, you're looking at a 4-hour drive just to reach GSMNP from Marietta, GA.

From the National Park Service website for GSMNP:
"Roads in the park are narrow and winding with blind curves and low shoulders. Speed limits are generally 35 mph or less."

In May, you will be lucky to maintain half that speed through the park. You don't have any time to see anything, which is a shame.

Enjoy yourself and have a safe trip in any case.

41

I'd stay at Skyland rather than Front Royal.

42

I would swap Roanoke for Floyd, Virginia. Floyd is a small town a few miles (maybe less, I can't remember) off the BRP. Floyd is known for bluegrass and is the end of The Crooked Road. There are two wineries near Floyd worth visiting -- Chateau Morrisette and Villa Appalachia. Villa Appalachia is the better of the two, despite all outward appearances to the contrary. Downtown Floyd is adorable and has lots of kitchy-artsy little shops, and at night there is bluegrass everywhere.

Roanoke is OK, but really just another sprawling American city with a few mountains. Floyd is lovely and worth a night or two. (my husband, from Roanoke, just said "oh yeah, go to Floyd")

43

Ahh my error on Lexington.

Fracking in PA is nuts, but as much as Montana/Wyoming...

44

Thanks for all that ... and yes zeldasdad, I am also regretful about the time we can allocate to the GSMNP - however we need to be in Westminster MD for the holiday weekend, to see the more extended family.

Nevertheless, we plan to take some slower roads (starting with 5-515 north from Marietta GA), and then enter the park via Townsend, the parkways available, and ending the first day in Gatlinburg (I wish to see the "Real America"). The choices of Boone, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Front Royal are based mainly on providing a good driving balance each day, having a choice of budget motels, and staying on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive as much as possible.

Will certainly investigate Floyd and Skyland as alternatives - thanks for the suggestions - and also Luray Caverns - although my partner can be a bit leery about going underground.