You could consider SNP/Skyline Drive ($30 fee) with a possible stay at one of the park lodges.

Any interests other than scenery, such as historic sites or hiking? What's the max number of hours you wish to drive each day? There are quite a few options for routes and places to stay but they may not all suit your preferences.

Thanks for those suggestions. So we've now booked the car and overnight stops in Roanoke and Berryfield as we're leaving Charlotte (south of the city) in the early afternoon so three hours driving or thereabouts will be enough on the first day.

Then we're hoping to see some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive as we drive north on the next day. I'm aware that driving is slow on both of these and bendy, so is it too much to try to drive the entire length from Roanoke to the top of Skyline in one day? What bits could we leave out and get some speed up on the 1-81instead without missing the best bits?

In regarding to doing both a lot of the Blue Ridge parkway and also Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP, it's very much a personal thing. To me, it would be too much - partly because the scenery is broadly similar for the whole way, and secondly because we start to get frustrated when you get stuck behind an RV that cannot even achieve the slow speed limits. Thus, when we've driven in that area, we pick just one sector for max half a day's driving and look for other things to see/do. That said, late June will mean the waterfalls should be nice and there are some shady strolls to see them. Owing to so much green and verdant trees, the views are mostly blocked so some walks do can feel a bit hemmed in. All very nice though and, actually very reminiscent of parts of the UK - to me, more so than New England despite the name!

SWT

I agree with SWT about Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline drive in Shenandoah NP. It is way too much imo to do both. Why not just do Skyline Drive. It can be done in a day. The Blue Ridge Pkwy is super super slow and actually can take multiple days depending on what you want to see and do.

Thanks that's really helpful!

One case for doing the BRP is that it is free while Shenandoah will cost $30 whether there a week or an hour. And I actually think the BRP has more unencumbered natural views than SNP.

Optionn1…. You head north then go 81/blue ridge parkway to Harrisburg then head east to west Chester.

Option 2…. Drive up 85 to Richmond then take 301 north ( Potomac bridge ) to Annapolis and over bridge thrn head np north into Delaware to west Chester. Side trip to dekaware beach towns.

Option 3… north then follow US 29 to Charlottesville then go 29/15 to Harrisburg then to Philadelphia. You could get to Frederick, md thrn head west toward Baltimore and continue on off of 95 through secondary roads along Maryland/ Pennsylvania border then into Pennsylvania or Delaware to west Chester.

There are tolls through inner harbor area of baltimore , over bridges ( I’m u sure the one sided toll booths) and on 95 at Maryland/ Delaware line Delaware charges a toll.