North Carolina · United States
Mount Mitchell Summit Road
NC 128Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Mitchell
Peel off the Blue Ridge Parkway and NC 128 has one job: up, at roughly nine percent through spruce-fir forest, to the 6,684 ft summit of Mount Mitchell. Nothing east of the Mississippi stands higher, and on a clear day you’ll believe it.
NC 128 branches off the Blue Ridge Parkway and climbs to the summit area of Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet, the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The fully paved two-lane road steepens to roughly nine percent through spruce-fir forest before the summit lot. Mind the steep grade, Parkway-dependent access, and frequent fog.
Where it runs1.7 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 1Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,872.1 – 1,974 mPoints of interest2 stops
- HallbackViewpointat the start
- Mount MitchellViewpoint1.7 mi in
Hazards
- Steep nine percent grade
- Access cut if Parkway closes
- Fog and high-elevation weather
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources
“The drive is very scenic and features unmatched views.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Mount Mitchell Summit Road: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Mount Mitchell Summit Road?
How difficult is the Mount Mitchell Summit Road to drive?
When is the best time to drive the Mount Mitchell Summit Road?
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Mount Mitchell Summit Road.
