Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Boone

[wscruiser]

My wife and I are planning to go to Asheville for a few days over the July 4th holiday. We have also talked about spending a night or so in the Boone area on the way back home. We have never been on the Blue Ridge Parkway in that part of the state, so we are thinking about riding from Asheville to Boone/Blowing Rock via the Parkway. Knowing that many of you have knowledge of the parkway in that area, I'm looking for some info.

How is the drive from Asheville to Boone, and how long should it take, considering a few stops along the route.

Is there food and restroom facilities along the route?

[MDK]

There is not any food along the parkway but there are pretty frequent exits where food, etc. is not far away. That part of the parkway is very nice-heck it's all a really nice drive. You'll get to go over the viaduct on that route which is worth the trip alone-it is built off the side of the mountain and follows the curve of the mountain instead of going through a tunnel-great view!

[Vango]

You have got to go on over to Graham county and ride the Dragon also the Cherohala Skyway is very beautiful and fun to drive look on a map its about 1 hour or so west of asheville on hwy 74. Heck I wish I could go I would show you how to get there just so I could go again...

[minianni]

Between Asheville and Boone took us 11/2-2 hrs. We only stopped at Linville Falls for a stretch and potty break. Didn't break any (many?) speed limits. Keep in mind the day was a little gray and we headed to the Dragon.