How Long Is The Skyline Drive?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Skyline Drive runs

105 miles

north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the Park. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the Park on a clear day.

Where does Skyline Drive start and finish?

The drive offers incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The drive begins at

Milepost 0 in Front Royal, Virginia and ends at Milepost 105 near the end of the Shenandoah National Park

.

Is the Skyline Drive worth it?

The northern part of the drive is very twisting, less so as you drive south. Critical to keep to the speed limit, even though it seems to be low. Spectacular scenery along the way!

What is the best part of Skyline Drive?

  • Range View Overlook. This overlook, at mile 17.1, offers a view down the length of the Blue Ridge to Stony Man Mountain. …
  • Hogback Overlook. I like this overlook because it is the longest in the park. …
  • Spitler Knoll Overlook. …
  • Big Run Overlook. …
  • Crimora Lake Overlook.

Is Skyline Drive free for military?


Veterans and Gold Star Families Granted Free Lifetime Access

– Visit Skyline Drive.

Which is better Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Parkway?

The Blue Ridge Parkway does offer similar views, but includes those of North Carolina’s mountains – therefore, it’s a two-for-one deal that comes with a multi-day trip. There’s also more to do along the way of the Blue Ridge, whereas

Skyline Drive offers solid views and great national park hiking access

.

What is the most scenic road in America?

  1. Pacific Coast Highway — California. …
  2. The Overseas Highway — Florida. …
  3. US Route 163 — Arizona and Utah. …
  4. The Hana Highway — Hawaii. …
  5. Beartooth Highway — Montana and Wyoming. …
  6. Cascade Loop — Washington. …
  7. Kancamagus Highway — New Hampshire. …
  8. Parke County Drive — Indiana.

Is Blue Ridge Parkway the same as Skyline Drive?

National Forests page. What is the difference between the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway? The Skyline Drive is the 105 mile scenic road through Shenandoah National Park. At Afton Mountain in Virginia,

the Skyline Drive heads north while the Blue Ridge Parkway heads south

.

Can you turn around on Skyline Drive?

Yes…it’s a long beautiful drive. So

turn around and go back if ya miss an exit

. It IS a two way drive.

How many lanes is Skyline Drive?

Skyline Drive is a

two-lane

road that has 75 overlooks providing views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east.

How long is Skyline Trail?

This well-known hike is

6.5 kms return or if you decide to loop, the trail length is 8.2kms

. It is mostly gravel with a few boardwalks to make it easier for any level of hikers. It’s a rather level trail with a slight incline which won’t be noticeable until you start hiking back so keep that in mind.

What is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park?

The best times to visit Shenandoah National Park are

September through November and March through May

, when the park is at its prettiest. Fall welcomes warm shades throughout the park, putting an autumnal twist on Shenandoah’s panoramic views.

Where can I watch the sunset on Skyline Drive?

  • Range View Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 17)
  • Buck Hollow Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 32.8)
  • Thorofare Mountain Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 40.5)
  • Stony Man (Skyline Drive Mile 41.7)
  • The Point Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 55.5)
  • Bearfence Mountain Summit (Skyline Drive Mile 56.4)

How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive from Front Royal to Thornton Gap?

Skyline Drive is 105 miles extending from Front Royal, Virginia in the north to Rockfish Gap, Virginia in the south. How Long does it take to Drive the Skyline Drive? It takes

three hours

to drive from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap at the maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour.

What are the 4 entrances to Skyline Drive?

  • Front Royal (North Entrance) Near Front Royal, Virginia, off of Route 340 (also called Stonewall Jackson Highway). …
  • Thornton Gap. East of Luray, Virginia and west of Sperryville, Virginia. …
  • Swift Run Gap. East of Elkton, Virginia off of US 33. …
  • Rockfish Gap (South Entrance)

Is Shenandoah free for military?


Veterans and active members of the US armed forces now receive FREE entry to Shenandoah National Park

and most other federal recreation sites! Active military members can receive a free Military pass by presenting your current US military ID at the entrance.

Do you have to pay to enter Shenandoah National Park?

Shenandoah National Park’s entrance fee is normally

$30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle and $15 per individual providing entry for seven consecutive days

. The Shenandoah Annual Pass is $55 providing unlimited entry for one year to the pass owner and passengers in the same vehicle.

What does the America the Beautiful pass cover?

The pass covers admission (or standard amenity fees, if those apply at the park you’re visiting) for national parks, national forests and grasslands, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and lands managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of …

Can you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in one day?


You could also drive the entire 469 miles in one day if you really wanted to

. Driving straight on the parkway, without any stops or getting off the parkway to see any of the nearby cities and towns would take about 6 hours.

How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park?

The Skyline Drive is the only route through Shenandoah National Park. At 105 miles long with a maximum 35 mph speed limit, it takes a good

3-4 hours

to drive from one end to the other on a good day.

What is the best entrance to Shenandoah National Park?

Enter Shenandoah National Park at the

Thornton Gap Entrance

, and head south toward Skyland and Big Meadows. While Front Royal is a little closer to DC, this entrance leads to our favorite part of the park.

Can you drive to Alaska from America?


You can drive to Alaska from anywhere in the United States except Hawaii

. From the majority of USA, you need to take the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek in British Columbia except California, Oregon and Washington State where the Dease Lake Highway is a better route to Yukon.

How long does it take to do Route 66?

You need

around three weeks

to complete Route 66. There is no perfect time to drive Route 66. Due to its sheer size, you’re likely to experience some adverse weather conditions, whatever the month.

How long does a road trip across the US take?

Depending on which route you go on, a road trip across the USA will take

between four and six days

, assuming you’re willing to spend up to eight hours behind the wheel per day.

How long does it take to drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway?

This is why the parkway is the most visited single unit in the U.S. National Parks System. Driving straight through without stopping would take about

ten to twelve hours

, but three to seven days is needed to explore it well.

Is driving the Blue Ridge Parkway scary?

Is Blue Ridge Parkway Scary?

The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t a scary drive

. It’s meant to be scenic and relaxing and, while there are some curves, there are no tight switchbacks or mountainside drop-offs.

Do you have to pay to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The Parkway runs from the southern terminus of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina.

There is no fee for using the Blue Ridge Parkway

; however, commercial vehicles are prohibited, except for tour buses.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.