Blue Ridge Parkway -- Travel Times

[jsteele]

I'm going to be driving from Spartanburg, SC to DC and want to do part of the trip on the BRP. Does anyone know how long it takes to drive various segments? For instance, if I get on the Parkway near Mt. Pisgah at 4 or 5 in the afternoon, how far north can I make it before dark (ie. 9 pm or so)?

What is the speed limit? I've seen several sources that say 45 mph, but Google maps seems to be calculating it at 30 mph. Hence, Google's times make it seem like I couldn't get march farther north than Asheville. I was hoping I could at least make it to Boone, NC. Any experience with this would be greatly appreciated.