The Blue Ridge Parkway, the 469-mile scenic road that follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia to North Carolina, passes immediately south and east of Roanoke. The Parkway is administered by the National Park Service, has no commercial development along its length, and has a strict 45 mph speed limit — it is a driving destination in itself, not a route from A to B.
A handful of overlooks within a 20-minute drive of downtown — Roanoke Mountain Overlook, Buck Mountain, Mills Gap — give the same kind of long Blue Ridge views you would otherwise have to drive hours to find. Mile 121, just south of the city, is the visitor centre at the Peaks of Otter, with a small museum and access to the climb up Sharp Top mountain. For a day's outing, drive south to Mabry Mill (mile 176) or north to Humpback Rocks (mile 6). Most overlooks have short trails, picnic tables, and almost zero cell coverage.