Traffic & Travel Tips

The Parkway is marked every mile by concrete mileposts beginning at MP 0 near Shenandoah NP and ending at MP 469 at Great Smoky Mountain NP. Parkway speed limit is 45 mph unless posted otherwise. The winding nature of the Parkway and changes in elevation mean that large recreational vehicles will need to allow for some extra time. Personal vehicles, motorcycles, tour buses and bicycles are allowed, but no commercial traffic or activity is permitted.

Traffic can be heavy during the visitor season, especially on weekends. Plan on extra time during the busy season or, if possible, plan to travel during the weekedays.

During the winter, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. "An open Parkway is a safe Parkway" has always been our guiding principle, so thawing and refreezing on bridges or in shaded curves may keep some sections closed for extended periods in the winter.