Sample Itineraries for The Great Southern Parkway

These three sample trips all follow the same overall Great Southern Parkway route from New Orleans to Washington, D.C., but they trade time differently. One is built for limited vacation days, one is the balanced version most travelers would probably enjoy most, and one is designed for people who want to linger in the foodie towns, mountain sections, entertainment destinations,and scenic overlooks.

Planning Notes

These are sample pacing ideas, not rigid rules. Weather, road closures, weekends, and your preferred mix of restaurants, hiking, and city time should shape the final version.

Focused Pace

Long Week Plus

A quicker version for working travelers who want the full route spirit without using up a huge block of vacation time. It keeps the drive moving, but still gives each major region at least one memorable stop.

9 to 10 days Fewer hotel nights Best for first-timers
Days 1-2: New Orleans Arrive, settle in, enjoy one classic meal, a walk through the French Quarter, and an early start the next morning.
Day 3: Natchez Trace Parkway Drive a meaningful southern stretch of the Trace with a few historic pull-offs, then overnight around Jackson, Tupelo, or near the northern end depending on your pace.
Days 4-5: Nashville Take one full city day for music sights, hot chicken, and a show, then leave the next morning toward east Tennessee.
Day 6: Cherohala and Smokies Gateway Run the Cherohala Skyway, the Tail of the Dragon section, and settle near Gatlinburg or Townsend for a mountain overnight.
Days 7-8: Asheville and Blue Ridge Parkway Give Asheville one evening and one morning, then drive a curated Blue Ridge stretch with major overlooks and a night farther north on or near the Parkway.
Days 9-10: Skyline Drive to Washington, D.C. Use one day for Shenandoah highlights and finish with one solid D.C. day before departure.
Works well if: you want a real through-drive, signature foods, and a few scenic highlights more than deep exploration in every stop.
Balanced Pace

The Sweet Spot

This is the version most travelers will probably find the most satisfying. It gives the route room to breathe, makes the restaurant lists more useful, and leaves space for both city time and scenic driving.

13 to 14 days Best overall balance More food and sightseeing
Days 1-2: New Orleans Take time for French Quarter landmarks, one museum or garden district outing, and at least two memorable restaurant meals.
Days 3-4: Natchez Trace Parkway Break the Trace into two lighter days so you can stop for mounds, short walks, river viewpoints, and one good overnight in a town with character.
Days 5-6: Nashville Use two nights here so the city feels like a destination rather than just a checkpoint, with room for live music and more than one dining neighborhood.
Days 7-8: Cherohala, Dragon, and Smokies Run the east Tennessee mountain roads at a less rushed pace, adding a national park stop, tram, or short hike before continuing east.
Days 9-10: Asheville Give Asheville two nights so the restaurants, downtown walkability, Montford, or Biltmore area can actually be enjoyed instead of sampled in a rush.
Days 11-12: Blue Ridge Parkway Drive north in shorter scenic segments, stopping for overlooks, picnic spots, and one or two classic Parkway lodges or small mountain towns.
Days 13-14: Skyline Drive and Washington, D.C. Use one day for Shenandoah and one or two days for the National Mall, monuments, and a celebratory finish in D.C.
Works well if: you want the route to feel like a vacation, not just a scenic transfer between endpoints.
Slow Scenic Pace

Slow Roll

This version lingers where the route is richest: New Orleans, Nashville, the Smokies, Asheville, and the Parkway itself. It is the best choice if you care as much about atmosphere and eating well as checking off miles.

17 to 19 days Most relaxed Best for van-lifers and retirees
Days 1-3: New Orleans Spend long enough here to enjoy the city in layers: classic sights, a slower neighborhood meal, live music, and some room for wandering instead of constant scheduling.
Days 4-5: Natchez Trace Parkway Take the Trace as a scenic decompression stretch with leisurely stops, a historic inn or campground, and one especially relaxed afternoon.
Days 6-8: Nashville Stay long enough to do the obvious music landmarks plus one museum, one show night, and several restaurant styles without cramming everything into a single evening.
Days 9-10: Cherohala, Dragon, and Smoky Mountains Give the mountain roads and park gateways two easier days so you can mix in viewpoints, one moderate hike, and a slower resort, cabin, or campground stay.
Days 11-13: Asheville Three nights lets Asheville shine: downtown, Montford, the River Arts District, a Biltmore-area outing, and enough restaurant time to make the list genuinely useful.
Days 14-16: Blue Ridge Parkway Drive the Parkway in short scenic days with room for overlooks, lodge meals, waterfalls, detours into mountain towns, and the occasional unplanned pull-off.
Days 17-19: Shenandoah and Washington, D.C. Use one or two nights near Skyline Drive, then finish with a couple of slower D.C. days for museums, monuments at night, and a final great dinner.
Works well if: this is the main event of your vacation and you would rather come home feeling unhurried than squeeze in every possible mile.