Skyline Drive · Central

The heart of Skyline Drive in one loop: from Luray the route climbs US-211 to Thornton Gap, rides Skyline Drive south through the Marys Rock Tunnel, past Pinnacles, Skyland, Big Meadows and Lewis Mountain to Swift Run Gap, then drops on US-33 to Elkton and returns up the valley on US-340. It's 75 miles. Entering Shenandoah National Park costs $25 per motorcycle, good for 7 days and up to two bikes. Skyline Drive is slow by design and takes its time, deer and black bears cross it, and the park closes stretches in bad weather. Big Meadows has fuel in season.

Skyline Drive runs about 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge through Shenandoah National Park, and this route rides its central section, the first one built: the stretch between Thornton Gap and Swift Run Gap opened in 1934. The loop starts in Luray, climbs US-211 to the Thornton Gap entrance and turns south. Right away it passes through the Marys Rock Tunnel, 670 feet long, bored through the granite in 1932 and the only tunnel on the Drive. Then come the Pinnacles and Stony Man overlooks, Skyland and, at mile 51, Big Meadows, with the Byrd Visitor Center and a wayside with food and fuel (open March 25 to November 29 in 2026).

South of Lewis Mountain the route leaves the park at Swift Run Gap, drops on US-33 to Elkton and returns north along the valley on US-340 to Luray. Entry costs $25 per motorcycle, valid for 7 days and covering up to two motorcycles; a car costs $30. Skyline Drive is a slow road by design, with overlooks every few miles, and it takes its time: plan the day around it. Deer cross it all the time and black bears now and then, especially toward the south, and the park closes stretches in bad weather, so check conditions before you go.