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North Carolina is a state of dramatic contrasts. On the Western edge, you might be exploring mist-shrouded mountains, in its coronary heart, dense forests and plush farmlands unfold out, and within the East, the windswept barrier islands stretch towards the Atlantic.
It’s one of many USA’s most scenic states, and what higher technique to be taught that than on a highway journey? Since we moved to North Carolina over a decade in the past, we’ve explored a lot of the state by following its scenic roads.
Our favourite scenic drives in North Carolina are those that transcend the interstates and into the center of those landscapes — via winding forest roads that dazzle in Autumnal colours, meandering alongside river bends, and previous shoreline vistas.
Every route has proven us how numerous our home-state is. Behind these scenic drives isn’t just nature in full glory, but additionally historic cities, cute coastal cities stuffed with maritime tradition, and mountain cities the place the craft beer is nearly as good because the mountain climbing trails.
If you wish to discover North Carolina’s finest driving roads, listed here are those that invite you to decelerate, pull over, and actually see what makes this state exceptional.
Scenic Drives within the North Carolina Mountains
The Blue Ridge Parkway
- Size of highway: 252 miles (the North Carolina portion solely; the total parkway is 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina)
- Really helpful time to finish: 4 – 5 days
- Begin/Finish Level: Virginia–North Carolina state line close to Galax, VA | Cherokee, NC (on the entrance to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park)
- Finest season to drive: Fall (late September–October) for peak Fall foliage colours and clear mountain views; or spring (April–Could) for cool temperatures and wildflowers
The crown jewel of driving roads in North Carolina is undoubtedly the Blue Ridge Parkway. Working 252 miles via the North Carolina Mountains, this legendary highway delivers nonstop mountain vistas, entry to a number of the finest mountain climbing trails within the state, jaw-dropping waterfalls, and engaging historic websites.
It’s one among our favourite roads for Fall foliage because it passes via each Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Virginia and the Nice Smoky Mountains in NC, each recognized for his or her biodiversity and number of tree life.
We’ve pushed the Blue Ridge Parkway in phases, utilizing Asheville as our gateway. A few of our favourite stops alongside the route are Linn Cove Viaduct, Linville Falls, and Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell State Park, Blowing Rock, Craggy Gardens (for rhododendron-filled views), Mount Pisgah, and the Smokies, after all.
The Tail of the Dragon (US 129)
- Size of highway: 11 miles (the well-known stretch options 318 curves)
- Really helpful time to finish: 1 day. It takes 30 – 45 minutes with out stops, however enable further time for pull-offs, photographs, and site visitors (particularly on weekends)
- Begin/Finish Level: Offers Hole, NC (close to the NC–TN border) | Chilhowee Lake / Tabcat Bridge space, TN (inside Cherokee Nationwide Forest)
- Finest season to drive: Spring (April–Could) and fall (September–October) for gentle climate and clear roads. Summer season has heavy site visitors, particularly bikes, and within the winter, the highway could also be closed as a result of ice and snow.
If you happen to’re a bike fanatic, or fancy testing your rally automobile expertise, then the Tail of the Dragon Highway, which runs alongside the North Carolina/Tennessee Border is essentially the most well-known driving route for precise driving.
It’s well-known for having 318 curves in 11 miles (top off on movement illness meds if you happen to’re a passenger), however it’s additionally as scenic as it’s thrilling.
It carves via the dense forest and mountain terrain of the Nice Smoky Mountains and has no intersections or driveways, so it’s straight up driving with the odd overlook thrown in to interrupt up the bends.
For bikers, it’s recognized to be technically troublesome and has just a few nook names that sound a bit ominous – Copperhead Nook, Wheelie Hell, Gravity Cavity, and my private favourite, Brake or Bust Bend, which requires a little bit of focus to drive round.
Nonetheless, if you’d like a highway that’s thrilling and framed by attractive woodland, that is it. Though thought of harmful, there’s a 30 mph pace restrict, and the quantity of site visitors does cease you from driving too quick, so it’s not as dangerous because it as soon as was.
Nice Smoky Mountains Scenic Byway (US 441)
- Size of highway: 31 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: half a day to a day. It takes 1–2 hours with out stops, however plan for longer to incorporate stopping at overlooks and doing brief hikes.
- Begin/Finish Level: Cherokee, NC | Gatlinburg, TN
- Finest season to drive: Spring (April–Could) for wildflowers and wildlife viewing, and Fall (October) for foliage. Winter typically has closures at Newfound Hole.
The Nice Smoky Mountains Scenic Highway, also called Newfound Hole Highway, is a brief scenic stretch that hyperlinks the city of Cherokee within the South to Gatlinburg within the North, passing via the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.
This drive provides misty peaks, elk sightings, and entry to a number of the most biodiverse landscapes within the jap US. Reaching an elevation of 5,046 toes above sea degree, it’s among the best roads for views over the treetops of the Smokies, and getting that iconic view of the blue haze that drapes throughout the treetops.
It’s closely trafficked, since most individuals visiting the Smokies will discover themselves on this highway in some unspecified time in the future, however there are such a lot of stops that it doesn’t really feel congested. In contrast to the Tail of the Dragon highway, this highway is extra concerning the stops than the precise route (though the views are wonderful).
Some notable stops alongside this route are the Oconaluftee Customer Middle, overlooks at Newfound Hole and Kuwohi (previously often known as Clingmans Dome), the Chimney Tops hike, and Sugarlands Customer Middle.
Learn Extra: The best way to get pleasure from a weekend within the Nice Smoky Mountains and issues to do in Bryson Metropolis
Cherohala Skyway (NC 143)
- Size of highway: 43 miles complete (roughly 20 miles in North Carolina)
- Really helpful time to finish: enable half a day to get pleasure from overlooks, picnics, and brief hikes, however it takes 1-2 hours to drive with out stopping
- Begin/Finish Level: Robbinsville, NC | Tellico Plains, TN
- Finest season to drive: Late spring via fall (Could–October) for clear views and finest temperatures
One other mountain highway in North Carolina with sweeping views, lengthy curves, and a distant really feel is the Cherohala Skyway, which connects Robbinsville to Tellico Plains.
It’s recognized for having a number of mountain climbing trails alongside the route, most notably the Huckleberry Knob hike, a straightforward 1.8-mile hike in Nantahala Nationwide Forest that takes you to a viewpoint with 360-degree views. Different notable stops are Bald River Falls, Hooper Bald, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to see historical hemlock and poplar timber.
It’s near the aforementioned Tail of the Dragon highway, so you would simply mix each these scenic roads in a single journey. Word: There are not any providers on this highway (no fuel stations, eating places, or accommodations).
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
- Size of highway: Roughly 76.7 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: enable 1 day. It takes 2–3 hours with out stops, however enable extra time to discover waterfalls, mountain climbing trails, and historic websites.
- Begin/Finish Level: Close to Brevard, NC (US 276 on the entrance to Pisgah Nationwide Forest) | Close to Rosman, NC (US 64)
- Finest season to drive: Spring and summer time for extra highly effective waterfalls and plush forest surroundings
In Western North Carolina, the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is a lesser-known offshoot of the Blue Ridge Parkway, winding previous waterfalls, mountain climbing trails, and historic logging websites in Pisgah Nationwide Forest.
Once more, it’s one other highway we’ve entered on with out realizing it whereas driving the Blue Ridge Parkway however found it whereas taking a detour to Wanting Glass Falls. We’re so glad we did, because it had a number of nice mountain climbing trails and waterfalls to cease off at. An sudden gem was Sliding Rock, a pure waterslide the place you’ll be able to slide down a easy rockface right into a refreshing pool under.
That is one among NC’s oldest logging railroad routes, however it has been largely reforested, and you’ll see new timber thriving alongside the Pink Beds Loop Path. Remember to cease by the Pisgah Customer Middle earlier than you drive to be taught extra about this area’s historical past and one of the best waterfall stops.
Learn Extra: Waterfalls in North Carolina that appear to be Bali
Piedmont & Central North Carolina Scenic Drives
Yadkin Valley Scenic Byway
- Size of highway: Roughly 63 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: 1 day to go to wineries, small cities, and river viewpoints, however might be pushed in 1.5-2.5 hours with out stops
- Begin/Finish Level: Elkin, NC | Close to Pilot Mountain State Park, NC
- Finest season to drive: Spring for blooming vineyards and gentle climate; Fall for harvest season and the Yadkin Valley Grape Competition.
Transferring away from mountains and into rolling farmland full of vineyards and wineries, the Yadkin Valley Scenic Byway is a relaxed drive via North Carolina’s wine nation (sure, there’s one).
As NC’s premier wine space, you’ll be able to anticipate most points of interest to be primarily based round Vino. Among the most notable wineries on route are Shelton Vineyards, Divine Llama Vineyards (nice for teenagers because it’s additionally a llama farm), Haze Grey Vineyards, Sanders Ridge, Adagio Vineyards, and Piccione Vineyards.
Most wineries have winery excursions, and you can too be taught extra about wine on this area on the Yadkin Valley Grape Competition held yearly in October, if you happen to can plan your go to for then.
Pilot Mountain Scenic Drive
- Size of highway: 10-mile loop
- Really helpful time to finish: 1 day to go to overlooks, mountain climbing trails, and close by cities
- Begin/Finish Level: Pinnacle, NC
- Finest season to drive: spring (April–Could) for recent greenery and wildflowers.
It is a brief however putting route circling Pilot Mountain State Park. The highway means that you can drive near the enduring Huge Pilot rock formation, providing dramatic views, and gives entry to the park’s many mountain climbing trails.
If you wish to get out of the automobile and luxuriate in a hike, then we advocate the Jomeokee Path, a brief hike that surrounds Pilot Mountain’s Huge Pinnacle. This scenic drive additionally simply connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Uwharrie Scenic Highway (NC 109)
- Size of highway: Roughly 20 miles via the center of Uwharrie Nationwide Forest
- Really helpful time to finish: half a day to discover lakes and mountain climbing trails
- Begin/Finish Level: Troy, NC | Close to Badin Lake / Denton space, NC
- Finest season to drive: Spring for wildflowers; fall for foliage. Summer season is lush however scorching and humid.
In Central North Carolina, one of many state’s oldest mountain ranges, is the Uwharrie Mountains. This scenic highway winds peacefully via the Uwharrie Nationwide Forest, which is wealthy in wildlife and has an off-the-beaten-path attraction.
Though the highway is brief, it has a whole lot of points of interest hooked up to it. You may go mountain climbing, mountain biking, horseback driving, or take a four-by-four alongside an off-road automobile path.
Uwharrie Nationwide Forest made our checklist of most underrated locations in North Carolina on our Raleigh website.
Coastal & Japanese North Carolina
Outer Banks Scenic Byway (NC 12)
- Size of highway: Roughly 138 miles (together with ferry connections alongside NC 12)
- Really helpful time to finish: 1–2 days is right, however think about ferry schedules. Driving time with out stopping is about 3–4 hours.
- Begin/Finish Level: Whalebone Junction, Nags Head, NC | Cedar Island, NC (by way of ferry connections via Ocracoke)
- Finest season to drive: Late spring (April–Could) and early fall (September–October) for heat climate, fewer crowds, and calmer ferries
We love the Outer Banks; it’s one among our favourite areas in North Carolina. Though a sequence of barrier islands, the NC Freeway 12 and some ferry crossings hyperlink them collectively, forming one epic coastal journey connecting lighthouses, wild seashores, ocean and sound views, and historic villages.
A few of our favourite stops on this route are Pea Island Refuge, Cape Hatteras State Park, and Ocracoke Island. It’s a journey via unspoiled pure magnificence and is soaked in small seaside city vibes.
Cape Hatteras Nationwide Seashore Drive
- Size of highway: Roughly 67 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: 1 day, it takes 2–3 hours with out stopping, however it would be best to cease to discover seashores, lighthouses, villages, and wildlife areas.
- Begin/Finish Level: Bodie Island Lighthouse (close to Nags Head), NC | Ocracoke Village / Hatteras–Ocracoke Ferry terminal, NC
- Finest season to drive: Could to November (closed within the winter)
Talking of Cape Hatteras, if you wish to take an elevated coastal drive, then it is best to get your self a four-wheel drive and hit the Cape Hatteras Nationwide Seashore Drive, a seaside drive within the Outer Banks. This drive passes epic sand dunes, maritime forests, and iconic lighthouses.
You do want a allow to drive this “highway,” and a little bit of cautious planning is required beforehand, as some components of the highway could also be closed as a result of tides. Among the highway can also be inaccessible throughout the breeding seasons of protected birds and sea turtles, so examine the web site earlier than your journey to see if there are closures.
Pamlico Scenic Byway
- Size of highway: Roughly 122.1 miles (together with a number of ferry crossings)
- Really helpful time to finish: 1–2 days is right, permitting time for ferry schedules, coastal cities, and wildlife refuges. The driving time with out stopping is about 4–5 hours
- Begin/Finish Level: Washington, NC | Cedar Island, NC
- Finest season to drive: Summer season is scenic, however might be scorching and humid with occasional storms. Intention for Spring for gentle temperatures and clearer skies.
Combining historical past, nature, and small city attraction, the Pamlico Scenic Byway is a watery, ferry-heavy route via fishing villages and coastal wetlands.
The identify Pamlico was given to the route after the identify of a Native American tribe that when lived on this area, although it was additionally colonised by Europeans in 1584. It passes via small cities that replicate this colonial historical past and a sequence of wetlands and forests.
Among the most notable stops on this route are Washington, also called Little Washington (besides to not the locals, they hate it), the Pamlico Sound, Swan Quarter, Mattamuskeet, Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and Cedar Island.
Learn Extra: The cutest small cities in North Carolina
Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Highway
- Size of highway: Roughly 12 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: half a day to get pleasure from wildlife viewing, viewpoints, and brief strolling trails
- Begin/Finish Level: US 64 close to Manns Harbor, NC | Close to Swanquarter, NC (refuge boundary/entry roads)
- Finest season to drive: Spring (March–Could) for migratory birds and blooming wetlands
If you wish to prolong the aforementioned highway journey, then it’s effectively price including on the 12-mile highway via the Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
This flat and atmospheric highway cuts via swamp forests and wetlands, which is ideal for wildlife recognizing. Right here chances are you’ll spot bears, migratory birds, and, because the identify suggests, alligators.
The refuge is house to one of the largest populations of black bears in jap North Carolina and the jap United States. We loved chook watching early on a winter’s morning right here with the ladies far more than we thought we’d!
Historic & Thematic Scenic Routes
Blue Ridge Music Trails
- Size of highway: Roughly 200 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: We advocate 2 – 4 days to totally expertise stay music stops, cultural websites, and scenic backroads, although you would simply spend weeks on this route.
- Begin/Finish Level: Asheville, NC (advocate doing a loop)
- Finest season to drive: 12 months-round, although summer time and fall are finest for stay music and festivals
Asheville is likely one of the most artsy cities in North Carolina, and if you happen to’re a fan of Bluegrass and gospel music, then you definitely’ll need to gas up right here and hit the Blue Ridge Music Trails, which begins and ends in Asheville.
It is a loosely related loop drive via western North Carolina’s cities and backroads, tying collectively stay music venues, festivals, and Appalachian tradition.
It passes via cities similar to Brasstown, Shelby, and Blowing Rock, which have year-round music venues, in addition to entry to the North Carolina Mountains. You too can discover farmers’ markets, waterfalls, pit-smoked BBQ joints, and craft breweries alongside the route, too.
It is a customizable highway journey with a number of stops to select from; see the official map right here that can assist you plan your route.
Learn extra: The Final North Carolina to Tennessee Highway Journey: From Mountains to Music
Waterfall Byway (NC 64)
- Size of highway: 98 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: a day
- Begin/Finish Level: Murphy | Rosman
- Finest season to drive: Spring (March–Could) for peak waterfall flows and wildflowers
Are you a fan of waterfalls? There are such a lot of scenic mountain waterfalls in North Carolina, and one of the best ways to see all of them is by driving alongside this hall linking Highlands and Brevard, passing a number of the state’s most accessible waterfalls.
Some notable falls on this stretch are Dry Falls, Rainbow Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Bust Your Butt Falls (kudos to whoever named that one). Nicknamed the Land of Waterfalls, this scenic highway in Transylvania County is likely one of the most dramatic drives in Western NC.
King’s Freeway (US 17)
- Size of highway: Roughly 180 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: 1-2 days to discover historic cities, colonial websites, and coastal views
- Begin/Finish Level: Wilmington | Edenton
- Finest season to drive: Spring (April–Could) and fall (September–October) for gentle temperatures and fewer mosquitoes
The King’s Freeway is a serious colonial highway that extends alongside the coast from Boston, Massachusetts, to Charleston, South Carolina, alongside US 17.
Your complete size is 1300 miles, however the NC part is just round 180 miles. The highway hyperlinks all 13 authentic colonies on the Atlantic coast that developed cities on orders from King Charles II, therefore the identify.
These cities are recognized for his or her colonial heritage, structure, and historical past, and plenty of of those cities are a number of the oldest within the U.S. In case you are seeking to pair historic cities with coastal magnificence, that is the highway journey for you. Some notable stops for colonial historical past are New Bern, an early colonial capital and seaport, and Beaufort (one among our favourite cities in NC).
Learn extra: Finest Issues to Do on the North Carolina Coast: Seashores, Cities & Hidden Gems
Wayah Highway (NC 1310)
- Size of highway: 15 miles
- Really helpful time to finish: enable 2–3 hours to get pleasure from overlooks, waterfalls, Wayah Bald, and brief hikes.
- Begin/Finish Level: Franklin, NC | Nantahala Lake / Wayah Bald space, NC
- Finest season to drive: Fall (late September–October) for peak foliage
One other motorbike highway in North Carolina, nicknamed “Thunder Highway” by the locals, is Wayah Highway. This quietly spectacular mountain drive hyperlinks Franklin to Nantahala Lake and winds previous waterfalls, forest overlooks, and the serene Wayah Bald stone tower.
Far much less trafficked than different driving routes in NC (like Tail of the Dragon), it’s a hidden gem trip the place you may get your thrills with out worrying about congestion.
