Nov 2, 2015

blog 8When you want to hit the open road with your Toyota, Virginia Beach offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy more than your sound system. Head for one of these three scenic drives around Virginia Beach that will take just enough time to relax your muscles, clear your head, and put you in the right frame of mind for the rest of your day.

Colonial Parkway

If you’re heading north from Virginia Beach, take the Colonial Parkway toward Yorktown. You’ll pick up the Colonial Parkway at Jamestown and follow this scenic drive for 23 miles through some of Virginia’s most beautiful scenery. You can only travel 45 miles per hour, which means you get plenty of time to take in the sights in a safe environment.

Take the Colonial Parkway scenic drive at any time of year, but the summer months prove the most beautiful. When you get to Yorktown, consider parking your Toyota and getting out for a brief stroll. You’ll enjoy walking around this historic town, so stretch your legs in preparation for the return trip.

Route 17

If you’re headed to or away from Virginia Beach, scenic Route 17 offers far more visual stimulation than the more mundane I-95 and I-64. You’ll pass through the iconic Fredericksburg, with its quaint shops and quiet cafes, as well as other historic destinations. The view from the James River Bridge is particularly stunning, especially during the winter months when the water is cold and serene.

Pull your Toyota into a parking space in Fredericksburg and spend a couple of hours touring the sites. Visit the Mary Washington House and the United States National Slavery Museum for a dose of history and a quiet way to pass the afternoon. If you’re visiting for longer, the Kenmore Plantation is another must-see spot in Fredericksburg.

Skyline Drive

When you need an escape during the gorgeous autumn months, Virginia will never disappoint. For the best fall foliage views, Skyline Drive is the perfect destination for you and your Toyota. You’ll pass through the unspoiled Shenandoah National Park, and although you’ll have to drive about two hours to reach it from Virginia Beach, you’ll receive a great reward as you wind your Toyota down blacktop surrounded by fall color.

Skyline Drive stretches for about 100 miles through Virginia country, but you don’t have to make the entire trip. Pick a segment and enjoy the views, then turn around and head home or back to your hotel. Look up the different mileposts before you leave, so you’ll remember which areas you want to see. Pause at one of the 75 scenic overlooks on Skyline Drive to drink in the surrounding scenery. Since the speed limit is only 35 miles per hour, you’ll also be able to enjoy the views while you’re cruising down the blacktop in your Toyota.

Getting out of the house (or the office) for a few hours to enjoy Virginia’s unspoiled territory can be beneficial from time to time. Gas or charge up your Toyota and hit the road.

Image Via Pixabay