Route 11, Virginia

Route 11 runs from north to south between New Orleans and Rouses Point, New York. This U.S. Highway is 1645 miles long. Its path through Virginia is a great road trip route. Along the highway travelers can enjoy the beautiful views of Virginia, stop in small towns, larger cities, enjoy the wilderness and much more.

Route 11 passes by the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, which are great places to enjoy some outdoor recreation. These National Forests extend across Virginia and into West Virginia. Visitors to the forests can enjoy mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding,  cross-country skiing and lots of hiking. Within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests there are over 2000 miles of trails.

Road trippers on this route will pass through the city of Radford. Here visitors will find some truly beautiful Virginia scenery, and it is a great destination for recreating. Radford is located in the Blue Mountains and is near the New River, making it an ideal spot for biking and canoeing.

Shenandoah National Park is also a great spot to stop on Route 11. Shenandoah National Park is 105 miles long, and it stretches from Front Royal to Waynesboro-Charlottesville. Travelers on U.S. Highway 11 can take a detour on the Skyline Drive, the scenic drive through the park. Shenandoah's visitor centers have plenty of fascinating exhibits, and the park has plenty of hiking opportunities. There are over 500 miles of trails, and much of the parks 196000 acres are open to backcountry camping, nature viewing and more. Old Rag Mountain is also in Shenandoah National park, which happens to be a very popular, challenging and dangerous hike, great for the more adventurous hikers.

Another great destination on Route 11 is the city of Roanoke. Roanoke has lots of culture, arts and entertainment for road trippers to enjoy. Visitors can take in the museums, galleries, live performances, historical sites, wineries and even the Mill Mountain Zoo. Nearby there are also some interesting caverns that are open for tours. The Dixie Caverns are located in Salem, and the Luray Caverns, Luray, are the largest caverns in the eastern U.S. At Luray Caverns visitors can enjoy the wide array of formations, colors, stone columns and vast stone rooms.

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove Historical Park is a good  spot for history enthusiasts. This park interprets and preserves important historical sites and events from the Civil War era. Cedar Creek and Belle Grove also preserves the cultural heritage of the Shenandoah Valley.