Directions

Road Status and Closures Is where you want to visit closed?

 

 

Parkway mile post 28 in the springtime fog, summer, autumn and winter

NPS photo- Peter Hamel

The parkway connects Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469). Asheville and Boone, NC and Roanoke, VA are the largest cities along the way.

There are entrances and exits at all major federal and state highways. In Virginia, Interstates 64, 81, and 77 all have signs for accessing the parkway. The same is true for Interstates 40 and 26 in North Carolina. You can view maps on our website or pick one up at visitor centers along the parkway.

Car GPS units do not work well on the parkway. We use milepost markers for addresses, and these are not recognized by the device. Use your GPS to direct you to communities near the parkway, then follow road signs and a map.

Before driving to the parkway, check:

• Road closures for construction or weather related closures along the parkway
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Travel and Traffic Tips
• Driving Safety

If you are traveling here in an alternative fuel vehicle, plan your trip with the Department of Energy's Alternative Fueling Station Locator.

Mileposts Markers

While driving, look for milepost markers along the parkway. They measure out each mile so you know how far you have traveled. The official parkway map, available in park visitor centers, is milepost referenced, so you can use it to find your planned destinations.