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Skyline Drive: Front Royal to Thornton Gap, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Virginia Shenandoah and the Virginia Blue Ridge

Skyline Drive: Front Royal to Thornton Gap

Skyline Drive · Front Royal → Thornton Gap

Sweeping31 mi55 min4,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,400 ftOne way
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The drive

Skyline Drive is the only public road in Shenandoah National Park, 105 miles along the Blue Ridge crest, with 75 overlooks looking west over the Shenandoah Valley and east to the Piedmont. This drive covers the north end, from the Front Royal entrance at US 340 (mile 0) to Thornton Gap at US 211 (mile 31.5): 30.8 miles in about 55 minutes.

The drive has mostly moderate curves, with three twisty stretches. The road is the park's only public road, so every stop is on the drive itself. Mileposts are cement posts on the west side of the road.

Along the way

  1. Front Royal (US-340)
  2. Skyline Drive
  3. Thornton Gap (US-211)
Elevation
4,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,400 ft
Front RoyalThornton Gap
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
Front RoyalThornton Gap
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Entrance is $30 per private vehicle, good for seven consecutive days, and the park takes only card or electronic payment.
  • The speed limit is 35 mph in most places, and deer, black bears and wild turkeys cross the road.
  • Weather can close the road at any time, and the park advises against relying on GPS.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Shenandoah National Park: alerts and conditions.

Questions about this drive

How much does it cost to drive Skyline Drive from Front Royal?

Entrance to Shenandoah National Park is $30 per private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days.

How long is Skyline Drive from Front Royal to Thornton Gap?

It is 30.8 miles and takes about 55 minutes.

Is Skyline Drive open all year?

The road is generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but inclement weather can close it at any time.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Skyline Drive: Front Royal to Thornton Gap, from Front Royal to Thornton Gap