Located in the southern part of Appalachia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America's best parkways to drive along.
The entire roadway is 469 miles long, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. According to Yahoo! Travel, it is often called "America's Favorite Drive" thanks to its beautiful mountain scenery and panoramic vistas.
Drivers will enjoy Blue Ridge Parkway most if they visit in May or at the height of fall foliage. Both periods offer visitors beautiful natural scenery as the flowers are in full bloom or about to fall to the ground, respectively.
Wildlife viewings are also common along the scenic drive, the most exciting of which are the black bear and whitetail deer populations.
Allow 3-4 days to drive the entire way and include stops at overlooks, historical sites and other fun attractions. The speed limit never goes above 45 mph, so guests should expect a leisurely vacation on the parkway.
Car owners should make sure their vehicles are up-to-date on their maintenance before making the trip as the road doesn't have many places for repairs. To fill up with gas, drivers must exit the road, but usage is free, so they shouldn't worry about tolls or fees.