Oklahoma to the Outer Banks, in October ?

Hello Road Trip USA --

I understand you give free travel advice.

We would like (two couples) to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway about mid to late October (up to 10 days round trip from Oklahoma City). We would probably stay one night on the road between home and Asheville, visit the Biltmore Estate, stay four nights on the parkway (2 nights minimum required at two different places, we try to rent the vacation homes; however, they are pretty booked up by now). Any way, was wondering about the two places along the way to get lodging and spaced out so they would afford us time to see things we need to be sure and see before and after each stop for lodging. Then we want to go back through Somerset Kentucky and will probably spend 2 nights on the road on the way home after we leave the Parkway. I realize this is just 7 nights but might could even go on to drive the Outer Banks if that would be feasible with this route.

Thanks, Judy

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Hi Judy --

Many thanks for writing in to Road Trip USA, and I hope I can help you plan your trip. Seeing as mid - to late October is very much the "peak season" for Blue Ridge Parkway travel, I'm not surprised vacation homes are booking up. There is not a lot of accommodations along the Parkway at the best of times, and since it is so popular, Fall foliage season can be a bit frustrating.

I might suggest finding a longer-term base (like Asheville), and doing the Parkway and surrounds as a series of day -trips. Besides being handy for the road itself, from Asheville you can get to a lot of other great places -- like the Great Smokies National Park, or Mount Airy if you are an Andy Griffith / Ron Howard / Mayberry RFD fan (and who isn't?)

:-)

But I think the Outer Banks might be a stretch -- it's an extra 500 miles each way. That said, it's gorgeous at this time of year (so long as no more hurricanes come blowing through!)

Hope this helps you plan a great trip --please feel free to write me again, if there's something I can help you with.

Happy Trails,


Jamie Jensen
--
Road Trip USA