Blue Ridge Parkway
Virginia Highways Page
Blue Ridge Parkway
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
From:  and Skyline Drive Afton
To:  NC State Line, near Galax
Total Length:  218 miles
Nationally the Blue Ridge Pkwy runs from Afton to US 441 Cherokee, NC, about 450 miles  

Creation:  The Blue Ridge Parkway first appeared in Virginia in 1938, from US 221 Adney Gap south to the Carroll County Line
Adjustments:  By 1941, the original section was extended south to North Carolina. Additionally, 4 sections opened: 1. US 250 Afton south to Humpback Gap Park 2. SR 814 Love to VA 56 3. US 60 north about 10 miles and 4. US 501 south to 4 miles past VA 43 NB.
By 1944, sections 2 and 3 above were connected. Section 4 was extended south to US 460.
Between 1945-47, the Parkway became continuous between SR 814 and US 250.
In 1960-61, the section between US 501 and US 60 opened.
In 1963-64, the original section to open was extended north from Adney Gap to US 220.
In 1966 the final Virginia section of the Blue Ridge Parkway opened, from US 220 to US 460.
Posting:  Fully posted by the National Park Service with its own shield, which has changed at least twice over the years. There is an error Blue Ridge Parkway sign in Culpeper on US 522 - the sign indicates Blue Ridge Pkwy/Skyline Drive can be reached heading out US 522 NB. The Skyline Drive intersection you are being directed to is 65 miles from the start of the Parkway (which is 25 miles from this sign).
Comments:  The 2001 and 2003 VDOT Route Logs note that Blue Ridge Parkway's right-of-way is designated as VA 48.
A National Scenic Byway. This road routinely makes lists of best drives in America. Built to handle 45 mph traffic in most locations, it allows the traveler to see mountains safely. Commercial vehicles and trucks are prohibited. The road itself varies widely in pavement condition. By design, the Blue Ridge Pkwy bypasses all towns. Services on the Parkway itself are very limited.
Access to the Parkway from primary routes is nearly universally via interchange. Primary route exceptions in Virginia are the two VA 43 junctions and US 221 Adney Gap. There is no direct access from I-77, VA 116, or I-64.
Some SR routes connect directly with the parkway via at-grade intersections, often the SR's are dirt roads (which makes the "no commercial vehicle" signs at those junctions seem comical).
Nelson County has 2 important at-grade secondary route accesses - SR 664 which is built to high standards and provides direct access to the Wintergreen Resort and SR 814 which NB provides access to the Sherando Lake NFS Recreation Area and is prominently posted SB as a shortcut to VA 56.
In Virginia the Parkway is at its lower elevations (bottoming out at the James River Bridge). If you want serious terrain you have to go to North Carolina. But the Parkway is a wonderful ride in Virginia anyway.
Recently Virginia's Explore Park opened between US VA 24 and US 221-460. I have yet to visit, so I don't know what the features of the place are.

 

Page last modified 12 November, 2005