You’re reading this article because you want to know about the best driving roads in Virginia, or perhaps you’ve searched for “scenic drives near me,” right? Well, let me tell you…there are more than 2,500 miles of road designated as “scenic byway” in Virginia. And even if you have all the time in the world, covering every mile is no small task. That being said, no single byway represents every scenic road in the state! So, we have put together some snapshots of a few of the roads you can take to experience the beauty of Virginia from the comfort of your car. From major routes to a few roads less traveled, these 19 scenic drives in Virginia will give you an unforgettable experience.

1. Take a drive along Blackwells Hollow Road (Route 810) in Albemarle County
Blackwells Hollow Road, Blackwells Hollow Rd, Virginia, USA
Bob Mical / flickr
2. Tour the George Washington National Forest along Route 33
George Washington National Forest, Virginia 22821, USA
David Clow / flickr
3. Drive the tree-lined country roads at Airlie, a historic 1,200-acre former plantation in Warrenton.
Airlie, 6809 Airlie Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187, USA
woodleywonderworks / flickr
4. Find gravel back roads like this one in White Hall.
White Hall, VA 22901, USA
Bob Mical / flickr
5. Explore Route 659 near Pennington Gap to see country scenery like this.
Pennington Gap Highway, Pennington Gap Hwy, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, USA
pfly / flickr
6. Head out to Graves Mountain in Syria. The views won't disappoint.
Graves Mountain Lane, Graves Mountain Ln, Virginia 22743, USA
Bob Travis / flickr
7. What could be more beautiful than a Southwestern Virginia farm? Roads like this are plentiful in Lee County.
Lee County, VA, USA
mkw87 / flickr
8. Try taking Route 5 east out of Richmond. Not only will you pass countless historic plantations and farms, but you'll enjoy scenes like this one in Charles City.
Virginia 5, VA-5, Richmond, VA, USA
Taber Andrew Bain / flickr
9. Take in the beauty of old farms on country roads through Page Valley near Luray.
Page Valley Road, Page Valley Rd, Virginia, USA
Stephen Little / flickr

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10. …or along Wolftown-Hood Road (Route 230) in Madison County.
scenic drives in Virginia
Wolftown-Hood Road, Wolftown-Hood Rd, Virginia, USA
Karan Jain / flickr
11. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway - from Rockfish Gap through the Shenandoah National Forest to the North Carolina Border
scenic drives in Virginia
Blue Ridge Parkway, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Roanoke, VA, USA
abi.bhattachan / flickr
12. Along the way, stop for views like this: Rock Point Overlook at Mile Post 10.4
Rock Point Overlook, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Roseland, VA 22967, USA
ehpien / flickr
13. Cruise Secretary's Road in Albemarle County
Secretarys Drive, Secretarys Dr, Virginia 24590, USA
Bob Mical / flickr
14. The landscape may be a little flatter, but it's no less beautiful on at the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge via Seaside Rd (SR 600).
Seaside Road, Seaside Rd, Virginia, USA
Adam / flickr
15. Wind your way through Sky Meadows State Park near Paris. Take Route 17 to State Route 710 to find the park's entrance.
Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Center, 11012 Edmonds Ln, Markham, VA 22643, USA
Ash / flickr
16. Few places are more breathtaking than Grayson Highlands State Park. Take Route 16 for 24 miles from Marion, then turn right on US 58. The park's entrance is 8 miles farther.
Visitors Center, VA-362, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
17. See the beauty of the Potomac at the end of tree-lined routes like this in Westmoreland State Park. Take Route 3 east to the park's entrance, just off of Route 347.
Westmoreland State Park Visitor Center, 145 Cliff Rd, Montross, VA 22520, USA
Virginia State Parks / flickr
18. Make your way through Burke's Garden on State Route 623 in Tazewell County and see why it's nicknamed "God's Thumbprint."
State Route 623, State Rte 623, Virginia, USA
Josh / flickr
19. And, of course, no review of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. Beginning in Front Royal, the drive is 105 miles through the Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the park. Don't miss it.
Skyline Drive, Skyline Dr, Front Royal, VA, USA
Joseph Gruber / flickr

Wanna see some of the best back roads in Virginia? If so, check out this YouTube video by Daniel Szwerc showcasing some of the best drives in our state. 

Like I said in the beginning, with so many miles of beauty to discover along highways, byways, and back roads in Virginia, there’s no way to cover them all in one article. So, take a minute to tell us about some of your favorite scenic drives in Virginia. We would love to hear where you drive when you just want to enjoy the view. Let us know in the comments below!

If you plan on cruising the highways this year, be sure to check out our previous article featuring the essential items needed for your road trips. 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

scenic drives in Virginia

Beth C. | August 26, 2020

What are the best road trips in Virginia?

As you may have gathered from the above article outlining the most scenic drives in Virginia, this state is best experienced from the road. Fortunately, there are countless road trips designed to give you an unforgettable adventure in Virginia. If you're a nature enthusiast, then you'll want to try our ultimate Virginia waterfall road trip, which will take you to some of the most incredible gorges throughout the state. Curious to check out the culinary scene? Then give this mouthwatering taco trail through Virginia a try. Just don't forget your appetite! Other bucket list worthy road trip ideas in Virginia include:


Discover more by reading our previous article highlighting these bucket list worthy road trip ideas in Virginia.

What is the most scenic drive in Virginia?

Without a doubt, one of the most scenic drives you can possibly take in Virginia is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This beautiful route, which has existed for nearly 90 years, winds through Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, offering countless overlooks where visitors can get out of their cars and take in the scenery. The total parkway is 469 miles and it runs through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you were to drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, it would take about 10.4 hours! Curious to learn more? Check out these fascinating photos of the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Where can I go in Virginia on one tank of gas?

Virginia is a relatively big state. In fact, it requires several hours of driving to get from the mountains of Virginia to the coast. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to explore in Virginia without having to fill up the tank more than once. Assuming you live in a relatively central part of the state, such as Richmond, you can easily get to the following places on just one tank of gas: the historic Old Town of Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, Shenandoah National Park, Petersburg, Natural Bridge, and more. In fact, we've put together a road trip that shows you all the places you can go in Virginia on just one tank of gas.

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