I'm in Nashville and going to visit Wake Forest in a few weeks. It's my dad's car but I'll be driving it some. Are there any roads in particular along the way we should drive? I've heard there are some good ones along the TN/NC border. Just wanting to know if anybody has any suggestions. Thanks!

 

If it is close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will definitely want to look into the Blue Ridge Pkwy, particularly the section that's called the "Tail of the Dragon". Make sure you check the car thoroughly before you go on the road - not just the tire pressure.

 

+1. The Dragon is a must-drive.

 

+1000.

The Tail of the Dragon (TOD) isn't part of the Blue Ridge Parkway but do both.
But plan it to do the Dragon (rt 129 into NC) early in a weekday morning before the bikers, tourists, and LEOs get on it.
After that, head east on rt 28 to 74 to the BRP. You could take the BRP all the way to rt 421 and take that east to Wake Forest (I assume you mean the University in Winston Salem, not the town north of Raleigh).

Along the BRP, there are plenty of attractions if you have the time (Looking Glass Falls on rt 276, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Mt Michell, Linville Falls, and more). See BRP Map. The BRP speed limit is 45. You can do 10 over safely but don't push your luck and go as fast as you want. Its a national park, and speeding is a federal crime....

 

I think member cobradav is the TOD expert here -- he's done a ton of runs and is always organizing meets that center around that particular stretch of highway.

If the information posted above isn't enough for you, try sending a PM cobradav for more details...

 

Probably so but I've been right behind him most of his runs. Or in front. Our 7th trip there is in 1 week. Yee haw!

 

Sorry, I didn't realize that. cobradav mentions it so much (as well as linking to it in his signature) that I pretty much think of him every time someone mentions the TOD and think of the TOD every time someone mentions cobradav...

 

No problems. He is one of the lead organizers of the TOD trips. Although being sort of local, I help with some of the routes, etc.

 

As a WNC native I can tell you Richard's advice is excellent. I have a couple of slight alternatives, depending on the amount of time you have. Consider taking US 129 from Robbinsville, rather than NC 28, to reach US 74. You will then take 74 through the Nantahala Gorge, which is a fun 8 miles unless the rafting traffic clogs the road. Drive as much of the BRP as possible, but be aware by mid-October the 45 speed limit is aspirational, at best, due to leaf peepers, especially on weekends.

If you have time to drive the Parkway from US 74 at Balsam Gap to US 421 at Deep Gap you won't be disappointed. However, this is a 4+ hour drive. There are 3 sections of this drive you can consider as you eventually will need to reach I-40, and hopefully you can cover all three. 1) US 74 to US 70 (I-40 access) just east of Asheville. Spectacular scenery, slightly less traffic than farther north. 2) US 70 to NC 80 at Buck Creek Gap. This section takes you past Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. While certainly not the TOD, NC 80 from the Parkway to Marion is a worthy steering wheel workout. (I-40 access at Marion). 3) NC 80 to US 421 at Deep Gap. More spectacular scenery, including the Linn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mtn. You will probably recognize this stretch of roadway from many car commercials. Remember to gas up before driving the BRP, and enjoy.