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

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.