If you are remotely close to the Skyline Drive and have the chance to drive along it, please, please do! It is SO worth it. Take in the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley right from your car, and stop your car along the way to capture some beautiful pictures, as memories. If you have time and are prepared, pull off and try out one of the many easily accessible hikes as well-- the Appalachian trail is just within reach!
Pros:
Price: I think that the price is well-worth the experience. It costs $30 to drive a regular car along the skyline drive. You can get a yearly pass for $55 which is worth it, if you plan on even going twice! I think they also have special deals for veterans.
Accessible: Super accessible from the DC/DMV or greater Richmond area-- about 1.5 hours from each, and such a nice break from city/suburban life.
Breathtakingly Beautiful: Amazing views of the mountains, as well as some rivers and pastoral Virginia lands, spotted with cows and farms. It is just so overwhelmingly beautiful.
Vast: Miles and miles of Skyline (over 100 miles!), taking you from mountain to mountain, offering a variety of views. You can take in the views for several hours, depending on how quickly you drive and how many stops you take. You might want to pack some food and have a picnic!
Many trails: Many trails and campgrounds branch off of of and intersect with the Skyline drive. There are some places that you can park your car so that you can go on hikes along these trails. I have brought gear, tents, and equipment, and gone on both campsite and back-woods camping adventures originating from the Skyline drive, varying in difficulty and duration. If you are a hiker, definitely consider doing this I personally love Old Rag!
Great for folks of all ages: A great experience for families, I see lots of young kids,as well as older folks (just keep your kiddos away from the edges-- most overlooks seem pretty secure, however you can never be too safe!) If you are into photography, definitely bring your gear to take some pictures, especially at sunset or sunrise! Also a must-visit for hikers or outdoor adventurers. Lots of college kids, and motorcyclists, as well.
Cons:
Fast drivers: Some folks tend to race along the Skyline drive so quickly. There are many parking stops and cars parked alongside the road, and many families with children who stop to take in the views, so the speeding cars can sometimes seem a bit dangerous. While there are Park Rangers who watch the roads, the Skyline Drive is so vast that they cannot be everywhere at once, and some people definitely go a bit too fast, so just be careful!
Curvy roads: Not a criticism, just an observation for less-confident drivers! Take your time on some of the curves! Deer tend to pop out on the road randomly- so be aware of that as well-- I saw several that were roadside or on the road. They were adorable, fyi (pic of one is in review)
Tip: Go in the fall, if you can. While this is a beautiful drive any time of year, the foliage in early-mid October is really stunning.
Note: There are some phone carriers that tend to work better than others on different parts of the Skyline Drive. I went with a friend who had T-Mobile, and I had Verizon, and we both went though periods where we fully lost service, or where just one of us had service. You may lose service for some part of the drive, and will very likely lose service if you go hiking on a train branching off of the trail. read more