Alpharetta (Atlanta) to Bear Den CG (Spruce Pine NC)

I like option 2.

Thanks, amxpress.

Any other thoughts out there?

I have driven Option 1, and except for the towns, the route is a good one. A lot of that route is 4 lane divided highway. Using Option 2, you will drive over very slow going surface streets, and depending on the time of day, could be painfully slow.

I-575/GA-515 north to Blue Ridge, GA-60 to Mineral Bluff GA and GA-60 Spur to US-74. east on US-74 to Waynesville and I-40. Would be better than going thru Clevland to US-441. But you still go down Black Mountain.
US-221 up thru Chesnee SC to US-74 isn't a bad road either, and looks to avoid the big hill.

I am still wayne_tw wrote:
I have driven Option 1, and except for the towns, the route is a good one. A lot of that route is 4 lane divided highway. Using Option 2, you will drive over very slow going surface streets, and depending on the time of day, could be painfully slow.

Thx. Specifically where are the slow surface streets? On 221? I was assuming that would be a 4 line divided highway but perhaps that is wrong.

I like the idea of being on the interstate until getting to 221 but your comment concerns me that 221 might be a pia.

Option 1: Would be a long day, though wouldn't be bad to make it a two day trip. Just to many small and curvey roads.

Option 2: My vote. Last time I was up on the parkway in that area, we came home down 221. Very nice road to travel except for Rutherfordton, but even that wasn't bad.

Option 3: Not a bad option if you want to stay on multi-lane roads as much as possible. However, 221 between I85 and Hwy 74 is a very nice and pretty rolling road with little traffic. Because of this, I would put this below Option 2.

FYI, about 10 miles from I85 on 221, where 221 makes a turn in Chesnee, you will pass a Hot Spot. Usually has some of the cheapest fuel in the area and definitely much cheaper than NC.

jaycocamprs wrote:
I-575/GA-515 north to Blue Ridge, GA-60 to Mineral Bluff GA and GA-60 Spur to US-74. east on US-74 to Waynesville and I-40.

Hadn't considered that route but am looking hard at it.

I think I would take your option 1 and spend a night around Sylva/Waynesville. But I always try to do that because that is one of our favorite areas to visit. You may need to get on to your destination so that would make a difference.

EDIT TO ADD. You could go up I-85 to Banks Crossing and take 441 all the way to Dillsboro. I have made this route many times. We always try to arrive for lunch at the Jarrod House in Dillsboro.

Of course I have one very important reason to go this way. My great grandfather was born in Banks County, GA (Homer) and enlisted in Confederate service with the Middle River Volunteers in which he served as captain throughout the war.

Or, if you want to do the 85 route AND see some pretty country, you could head 85 north to Greenville and then left on 25 over to I-25 and up to 19 across. Love to cross into NC from SC in the clouds on cool days

We have driven 221 many times from Gafney to Rutherfordton (then US64 to Lake Lure) and highly recommend it. The BRP with a trailer is really NOT fun.