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Skyline Drive: Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Photo: APK · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Virginia Shenandoah and the Virginia Blue Ridge

Skyline Drive: Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap

Skyline Drive · Thornton Gap → Swift Run Gap

Twisty34 mi1 hr3,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,700 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 middle section, from Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) to Swift Run Gap (mile 65.5): 33.8 miles in about an hour.

The road passes through Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2, then Skyland, the road's highest point at 3,680 feet. Big Meadows, the park's largest developed area, sits at mile 51. The curves are mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches.

Along the way

  1. Thornton Gap (US-211)
  2. Skyland
  3. Big Meadows
  4. Swift Run Gap (US-33)
Elevation
3,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,700 ft
Thornton GapSwift Run Gap
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
Thornton GapSwift Run 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.
  • Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2 has a maximum clearance of 12 feet 8 inches in both lanes.
  • Weather can close the road at any time.

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?

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

How long does the middle of Skyline Drive take?

Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap is 33.8 miles and takes about an hour.

What is the speed limit on Skyline Drive?

The speed limit is 35 mph in most places.

How tall is the Marys Rock Tunnel on Skyline Drive?

The maximum clearance is 12 feet 8 inches in both lanes, at mile 32.2.

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.
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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: Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap, from Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap