I'm making our trip itinerary and I'm hoping to find out how long it takes to travel from Chimney Rock (SE of Asheville) to Fontana Village via the Blue Ridge. I know it's not like up here in the flatlands where 60 miles equals 60 minutes! If anybody can help me out I'd appreciate it.

 

We took the BRP last year and it was so foggy it took an hour to go 40 miles.

 

I believe the speed limit on most of the parkway is 45, too.

 

We went to the Biltmore Estate last year for the day (Friday), cross country to I40, the actual trip took less than 1.25 hours, over the speed limit most of the way . The ride from Fontana along US 28 has quiet a few nice twisties along it .

You may want to consider this route if you don't have much time. We are hoping to drive the BRP this year for fun.

 

While the BRP is nice, you might get tired of the entire trip. Take it from East Asheville, and get off at either Mt. Pisgah and drive to Pisgah/Brevard. Some great twisties, waterfalls and forest. From there you can go to Cashiers and Highlands, and from there to Franklin. Great views and waterfalls. Some you can drive under and walk under.

That area was my home and I can give you more specifics if you want.

 

I've been on that section of the BRP about a half dozen times. My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon and a number of anniversaries since, in Maggie Valley, NC. The parkway is nice and we've spent as much as 4-5 hours on the BRP in a days time, but it does get old after awhile, especially if you're trying to make time. I enjoy twisty roads as much (or more) than the next person, but more than two or three hours of constant switchbacks, getting stuck behind motorhomes or other slow drivers, and keeping an eye peeled for park police with radar can get tiresome. Some of the best drives have been on side roads off the BRP getting back to a main road.

-Keith