NYC to Atlanta - June 2nd -June 4th

Hi all,

My wife and I are planning to drive from NYC to Atlanta.

Departure: 2nd June evening (plan to stay overnight with friends in Baltimore/DC)
Arrival: 4th June around 6pm.

Can anyone please give an idea of the best route to take? We love the scenic views. A little bit of research shows that the choice of routes are:

1. I-95/I-85
2. Shenandoah Valley on I-81
3. Scenic 2-lanes through Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.

Which would be the best of these three? Pros and cons of each? Would 2 days be enough to stop and take in the views and then drive along?

Will look forward to hearing! Thanks!!

I would do a combination of (2) and (3). The nice thing about Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway is its proximity to I-81, when you have had enough, or you start running into a time crunch, you can jump off over to 81 and press on. The only downside to Skyline/BRP is it's very slow going. There are several ways to get to Atlanta from I-81 - the quickest ones are I-77/I-85, I-26/I-85, and I-40/I-75. I would try to make it at least to Wytheville the first night, it's 400 miles from there to Atlanta via Interstates.

Thanks GLC,

I've decided to do both and will enter Shenandoah and then drive all the way on Skyline Drive and BRP till Roanoke before hitting I-81. Your point about getting back on to I-81 whenever I want to was especially useful:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glc

I would do a combination of (2) and (3). The nice thing about Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway is its proximity to I-81, when you have had enough, or you start running into a time crunch, you can jump off over to 81 and press on. The only downside to Skyline/BRP is it's very slow going. There are several ways to get to Atlanta from I-81 - the quickest ones are I-77/I-85, I-26/I-85, and I-40/I-75. I would try to make it at least to Wytheville the first night, it's 400 miles from there to Atlanta via Interstates.

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Quick Question....what do I put in my GPS if I need to go on a particular road instead of reaching a particular destination? The GPS always tends to take the interstate!

I'd say you'd have 3 options.

First you can look at your GPSs manual and see if it will let you manually plot a route.

second, you could enter an intermediate destination that is on the two lane road you want to travel.

or three (and what I would do), grab your paper map and turn off the GPS. Go where you want to go, and if you need to start making time and/or heading to a specific destination, then turn it back on again.

People tend to place way too much reliance on a GPS. It is a device made to help you, not rule your every move! I only use mine to help me get through cities and towns, not lead me down every highway.