Why Skyline Drive is My Favorite American Highway

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Last Updated on: 19th September 2021, 11:40 pm

Skyline Drive is a stunning section of Shenandoah National Park in the middle of Virginia, easily accessible for those driving from Charlottesville to Washington, DC. The drive overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and stretches for a little over a hundred miles. This length makes it a short enough to enjoy in the middle of a longer driving day, but long enough that it can be it’s own activity.

My first introduction to Skyline Drive was in 2009, on a friends’ road trip through Virginia Wine Country. At twenty-five, this was right about the time we were all starting to ditch keg parties for events where people referenced their drinks with words like oak and vintage. I was shocked to learn a six-dollar bottle of Yellow Tail even had a vintage.  I think we thought we were becoming adults. Seven years later I’m not sure if I’ll ever be one.

Shenandoah was the perfect way to end that weekend and drive back to Washington, DC (where I caught I Chinatown bus back to Philadelphia, the least grown-up form of transportation invented by man.  Remind me sometime to tell the story of my last Chinatown Bus ride, circa 2011, and why I promised myself never again). Since then, I’ve gone back twice, most recently time was in January, while I was on my crazy, scatter-shot USA extravaganza.

Here are photographs from my three drives, in three different seasons:  winter, summer, and autumn. Spring, I’ll have to come back for you.

My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023

These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.

Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing

Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.

Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.

For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.

See also
The 40 Most Scenic Drives in America for Stunning Weekend Getaways

For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.

Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.

For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.

Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

Skyline Drive in Winter

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains
View of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Sunset in Shenandoah National Park
Sunset in Shenandoah National Park
The trees are beautiful, even in winter.
The trees are beautiful, even in winter.
Amazing Views
Amazing Views
Lucy and My Nikon-My Two Favorite Things
Lucy and My Nikon-My Two Favorite Things
A Naked Tree
A Naked Tree
Road Trip Selfie with Dog
Road Trip Selfie with Dog
Needles like Feathers
Needles like Feathers

Skyline Drive in Summer

Clouds in Hot, Rainy Summer
Clouds in Hot, Rainy Summer
Summertime Sadness
Summertime Sadness
Right Before the Rainstorm
Right Before the Rainstorm
Stopping to nap during the storm.
Stopping to nap during the storm.
Lazy Afternoon Storm
Lazy Afternoon Storm

Skyline Drive in Autumn

Shenandoah in the early autumn
Shenandoah in the early autumn
We were #groutfitting before #groutfits were a thing
We were #groutfitting before #groutfits were a thing
Taking in the Beauty
Taking in the Beauty
The trees are just starting to turn
The trees are just starting to turn
Also Selfies before Selfies were a thing
Also Selfies before Selfies were a thing

 

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Why Skyline Drive is My Favorite American Highway
Why Skyline Drive is My Favorite American Highway

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