Boone to Asheville NC Rt 321 and Rt 64

MoFanatic wrote:
I love the roads and routes section of this forum. Nowhere else do I get such great help and advice. I am very appreciative to everyone who has taken the time to help and respond.

Since it sounds like 321 might be narrow, even for a short distance, I think I'm going to be playing it safe and taking 421. Neither me or the copilot does well with narrow windy roads.

Thanks again for all the help.

Think about it like this. the BIG trucks do it every day. I guess since is the closest, and easiest way to Blowing Rock from here, and we go all the time. It's just not that big a deal. (The worst part is only a 6% grade) Especially since they have made it 4 lane almost all the way to Blowing rock. The only 2 lane part is a 35 / 25 MPH section as you drive past the "Canyons" restaurant, and start down. that is where I use 1st gear.

As I said. I can come down towing the TT, with out using the brakes much at all. But then. If you are not use to mountain driving. It may be a wise choice not to go that way. Only you know your comfort zone.

And then there is 105 to 221. While 105 is a wide mostly straight road to 221 where you start down to Marion. The top 3 miles of 221 are slow, and a little twisty, after the top 3 miles it straightens out, and brings you to 40 just before Black Mountain.

I love the roads and routes section of this forum. Nowhere else do I get such great help and advice. I am very appreciative to everyone who has taken the time to help and respond.

Since it sounds like 321 might be narrow, even for a short distance, I think I'm going to be playing it safe and taking 421. Neither me or the copilot does well with narrow windy roads.

Thanks again for all the help.

amxpress wrote:
I recently drove 321 out of Boone through Blowing Rock. In and out of Blowing Rock the road is tight, some construction, narrow in some spots. I was in a car, I wouldn't want to be towing my 37' 5th wheel this way. Once a little past Blowing Rock it was OK, though.
I know it's a lot longer, but I would stick to 421 to I-77 South.

Come on now, Flat Lander. :)

I recently drove 321 out of Boone through Blowing Rock. In and out of Blowing Rock the road is tight, some construction, narrow in some spots. I was in a car, I wouldn't want to be towing my 37' 5th wheel this way. Once a little past Blowing Rock it was OK, though.
I know it's a lot longer, but I would stick to 421 to I-77 South.

MoFanatic wrote:
Are these decent routes going from Boone to I40? I have a 41 ft fifth wheel that is 13'6" tall and worry about narrow roads and underpasses. Last time I went out Rt 421 (was familiar with that route) but am wondering if I would be OK with the shorter (321 and 64) routes.

321 to 40 would be the best. In truth 321 down from Blowing Rock is not hard. Only about 7 miles of it has much grade to it. Gear down to a gear that will hold you back. Easy if you have a gas engine, OR if you have a diesel with an exhaust brake, or trany brake.
There are no narrow roads, except for a VERY short place just out of Blowing Rock. Mostly flat thru that part. No low underpasses either.
I can come down 321 with the TT and not use the brakes much at all. I start down in 1st, and soon as I pass the last 25 MPH curve. I go to 2nd, From there I only brake for the sharper curves. Actually have to feed it some gas to keep going.

If you stay on 321, you will hit 40 at Hickory, and it is less than an hour to Ashville from there. You will of course have to climb Black Mountain. About 7 miles up. Also not so bad. All in all, a pretty easy drive.

And 64 isn't bad either. You will hit 40 at Morganton. It is not 4 lane as I remember. But not a crooked narrow road either, and as it is at the bottom of the mountain. No steep grades. Still have to do Black Mountain though. A lot closer than going all the way to Hickory.
You should have no problems

Lots of road work in blowing rock I would go 421 it's 4 lane all the way you can take hwy 115 statesville rd just after wilksboro it a good two lane that cuts off some time off brings you to 77 at union grove

Victory402 wrote:
You should be ok once on 64, but 321 down to Blowing rock is pretty knarly. Something inside of me is saying don't do it. I would call a campground in the area and ask them. Hope this helps. Vic

Thanks Vic. Taking 421 out to 77 South and then west on 40 adds considerable time to my trip but if there's a chance of getting into a bad spot I'm happy to go out of the way.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my post. Much appreciated.

You should be ok once on 64, but 321 down to Blowing rock is pretty knarly. Something inside of me is saying don't do it. I would call a campground in the area and ask them. Hope this helps. Vic