Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains Fall Road Trip Itinerary: Charlotte North Carolina to Knoxville Tennessee
This epic Fall Colors road trip travels through the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains in 10 days. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parkway passes through North Carolina and Virginia and is America’s longest scenic highway. On the drive, you will find 200+ scenic overlooks, 26 tunnels, waterfalls, swimming holes, hollows, gorges, forests, hiking trails, Spring flowers, Fall colors, Bluegrass music, swinging bridges, scenic train rides, historic farms, country stores, farmer’s markets, the famous Biltmore Estate, Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, Cherokee history, wineries, apple picking, trout fishing, elk, black bears, and wild turkeys. The Great Smoky Mountains have equally gorgeous scenic drives, mountain overlooks, and waterfalls plus black bears, alpine coasters, bluegrass music, moonshine, and attractions galore.
You are excited to begin your road trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, must-see attractions, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do on a road trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains road trip itinerary.
The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Planner
When is the Best Time to Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains?
Summer and Fall are high seasons on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Summer temperatures average high 60s at high elevations and mid-80s at low elevations. Rain is common in August. Fall is cold at higher elevations and a winter coat is needed. Leaves begin to change as early as mid-September and the changing colors can often be seen at higher elevations in early October. The best time to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway to experience the gorgeous Fall colors is in mid to late October. Many businesses close for the tourist season in November. Others decorate for the Christmas season, consider Boone, Ashville, the Biltmore Estate, or Gatlinburg. Snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities. Severe winter weather including ice and snow often closes roads in the winter. Spring temperature is cold in high-elevation mountains and trails are muddy. Wildflowers begin to bloom in April. Many businesses do not reopen until May.
What is the Best Way to Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains?
The Blue Ridge Parkway is located in North Carolina; the Great Smoky Mountains begin at the southern end of the Blueridge Parkway. You will need your own transportation to follow this 10-day Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountain road trip itinerary. The itinerary begins in Charlotte North Carolina, travels over the state line into Virginia, returns to North Carolina, and travels down the western edge of the state before crossing into the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. Save precious PTO by flying from your home to Charlotte North Carolina and renting a car to continue the journey. Return the rental car and book your return flight from Knoxville Tennessee.
How Long Do You Need to See the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains?
7 days: Begin and end in Charlotte North Carolina. Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Biltmore Estate, and explore the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.
10 days: Begin in Charlotte North Carolina. Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Biltmore Estate, and explore the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Head into the Great Smoky Mountains. Visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and spend a day at Dollywood. End in Knoxville Tennessee. Follow the day-by-day itinerary below.
14 days: Begin in Charlotte North Carolina, and add a day exploring the city. Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway and add a day in the Blowing Rock area. Visit the Biltmore Estate and explore the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Add a day in Cherokee. Head into the Great Smoky Mountains. Spend one day in Gatlinburg, one day in Pigeon Forge, and one day at Dollywood. End in Knoxville Tennessee.
How Expensive is a Road Trip Through the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost for a trip to, Charlotte North Carolina is $153, Boone North Carolina is $138, and Gatlinburg Tennessee is $152. Using these figures, budget $1400 for a typical 10-day vacation on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains.
What do you pack for a Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains road trip?
Three weather appropriate outfits for hiking, including a day pack, hiking boots, sunscreen, bug spray, and a water bottle. Four semi-casual outfits to explore Charlotte, Gatlinburg, and Knoxville. One nice outfit for the day spent at the Biltmore Estate. One casual outfit for air travel. Rain is common, bring a rain jacket and umbrella.
Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Highlights
Charlotte North Carolina | Mount Airy | Blue Ridge Parkway | Blue Ridge Music Center | Blowing Rock | Lincove Viaduct | Chimney Rock | Biltmore Estate | Mountain Waters Scenic Byway | Great Smoky Mountains | Clingman’s Dome | Gatlinburg Tennessee | Pigeon Forge Tennessee| Dollywood | Knoxville Tennessee
Day by Day Guide for a Road Trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains
ROUTE AT A GLANCE: Charlotte North Carolina – Blue Ridge Parkway – Great Smoky Mountains – Gatlinburg Tennessee – Knoxville Tennessee
MILES: 750 approximate miles
HOW MANY DAYS: 10
Day One Arrive in Charlotte North Carolina
Pick up a rental car, stop for water and snacks, and check into the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day checking out Charlotte North Carolina. Charlotte, the Queen City, is the 15th largest city in the United States. It is best known for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Billy Graham Library, and Southern hospitality. Charlotte also has old plantations, civil rights history, wall poems, murals, kayaking, paddle boarding, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, bike trails, hiking paths, craft breweries, and Carolina BBQ. If you love adventure, don’t miss the U.S. National Whitewater Center. I had an amazing dinner at Mert’s Heart and Soul and have no hesitation in recommending it.
Overnight Charlotte North Carolina.
Read Top Things to Do in Charlotte North Carolina
Day Two Charlotte to Mount Airy
8 am Grab a coffee and explore Charlotte’s street art and wall poems
10:30 Tour the Historic Latta Plantation
Noon Grab lunch 7th Street Public Market
1:30 pm Drive 1.5 hours to Mount Airy and explore Andy Griffith’s Mayberry
Have dinner on Main Street before checking into your hotel for the night
Overnight in Mount Airy North Carolina
Day Three Blue Ridge Parkway and Blowing Rock
7:30 am Drive 45 minutes to Mabry Mill for breakfast pancakes and photograph the mill
10 am Begin driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stop by to browse the Poor Farmer’s Market and Mayberry Trading Post. Climb the lookout at Groundhog Mountain for panoramic views and check out Puckett Cabin
Noon Arrive at the Blue Ridge Music Center. Have a picnic lunch and listen to the Mid-Day Mountain Music jam
1 pm Continue exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at the many overlooks, do not miss Brinegar Cabin
4 pm Hike the 1-mile loop trail The Cascades Trail at E.B. Jeffress Park, or continue on to Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock has many attractions. Check out the Green Mountain Waterfall, watch the Horn in the West Outdoor Drama, or take a ride on the Tweetsie Railroad.
Overnight in Blowing Rock North Carolina.
Read Top Things to Do on the Blue Ridge Parkway (including mile marker guide)
Day Four Blue Ridge Parkway and Chimney Rock State Park
7:30 am Continue exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at the many overlooks. Stop at the Yonahlossee Overlook to view the famous S Curve. Stop at the Linn Cove Visitor Center and walk under the bridge for a better view of the Lin Cove Viaduct. Choose to walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge or hike to Linville Falls and Duggers Creek Falls. Purchase fresh produce from the Orchard at Alta Pass.
Noon Drive into Little Switzerland for lunch and browse the shops
1:30 pm Return to the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the remaining overlooks on the way to Chimney Rock
4 pm Arrive at Chimney Rock State Park. Ride the elevator to the top and enjoy the view, do not miss the waterfall before leaving.
Overnight in Asheville North Carolina
Day Five the Biltmore Estate & Gardens
9 am Arrive at the Biltmore Estate and Gardens. Explore the gardens while waiting for your timed entry for the house tour. Have lunch in the Village and stop at the Antler Hill Village & Winery and enjoy a tasting. Purchase ticket here
1 pm Drive 45 minutes to Dupont State Park and take the waterfall hike to three falls
5 pm Drive to Brevard and wander downtown Broad Street stopping for dinner.
Overnight Brevard North Carolina
Day Six Chasing Waterfalls to Gatlinburg Tennessee
7 am Begin the day early and see as many waterfalls as possible. Map your route to include: Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, Whitewater Falls, Silver Run Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Dry Falls. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is gorgeous with many amazing stops to enjoy the mountain views along the way. Plan your time well and do not miss Dry Falls.
5 pm Head into the Great Smoky Mountains and stop at Clingman’s Dome to enjoy the view. Drive another hour to Gatlinburg Tennessee. Check into your hotel and walk to Blake Shelton’s Ole Red for dinner and music.
Overnight Gatlinburg Tennessee
Read Chasing Waterfalls in North Carolina
Have an extra day? Consider spending the night in Cherokee and watching the Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama. The next day ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, or hike to Soco Falls or Mingo Falls before continuing to Clingman’s Dome and Gatlinburg Tennessee.
Day Seven the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Dollywood
7:30 am Get up early and beat the crowd to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail scenic drive. This is a one-way drive with several historic stops that ends with a Place of a Thousand Drips waterfall. Be on the lookout for bears. I was lucky enough to stop and watch a cub searching for berries for a very long time!
10 am Spend the day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Do not miss seeing Dolly’s Costumes at the Chasing Rainbows Museum. Or, spend the day exploring all the attractions in Pigeon Forge
6 pm Spend the evening at Dolly’s Stampede dinner show.
Overnight Gatlinburg Tennessee
Day Eight Waterfalls and Gatlinburg Tennessee
8 am Hike to Cataract Falls (1.1 mile RT, allow 1.5 hours) and/or Laurel Falls (2.4 mile RT, 2.5 allow hours)
Noon Spend the day in Gatlinburg. Check out the view from the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, play a game of Hillbilly Golf, ride the SkyLift, visit the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and sample lots of moonshine.
5 pm Head back to Pigeon Forge for the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show
Overnight Gatlinburg Tennessee
Read Top Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
Day Nine Knoxville Tennessee
8 am Begin the day with sweet potato pancakes at the Pancake Pantry
9:30 am Drive 1.5 hours to Knoxville Tennessee. Knoxville is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains next to the Tennessee River. It is referred to as the City of Artists and is the birthplace of Mountain Dew. Knoxville is full of brick buildings, street art, country music, Civil War history, outdoor adventures, scenic drives, barbecues, craft beer, and sweet tea. Spend the day exploring the city or just relax and people-watch in Market Square.
Overnight Knoxville Tennessee
Read Top Things to Do in Knoxville Tennessee
Day Ten Depart Knoxville Tennessee
If you have more time to extend your Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains road trip, add a few days in Chattanooga or Nashville Tennessee.
Be sure to check the Blue Ridge Parkway and Tennessee Office of Tourism for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide
Plan Your Road Trip to Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains
Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide
Pick up a Tennessee Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Blue Ridge Parkway Now
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Great Smoky Mountains Attractions and Day Tours
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Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!