Chattanooga to Raleigh,NC

I've pulled a 13000lb 5ver both ways on 40 with no problems. Just requires common sense driving. Certainly easier than I70. Much lower elevations although steep for a short while, its nothing compared to the many long long pulls up or down in the Rockies with passes twice as high and thin air.

I have a 2004.5 2500 Duramax and 37 ft. fifth wheel. No problems on I-40 through the mountains. If you are behind a semi and can't get by, gear down and keep RPMs up to at least 2500, but not "red line". This also worked on I-70 west of Denver.

I did that once. I now drive around it. Don't care how many more days it takes me to get down south.

I think it's a 7% grade going south but heading north it is a different pass and it was almost flat.

With the diesel pulling up through the gorge won't be any problem. What has been my issue is the narrow left lane and lack of straight road. I find it hard to pass trucks, so I don't. And I have found myself not towing behind some flatlander who would not pass or move over, so both lanes went 35. Fancy Gap (I-77) has a steeper grade east bound. If you really want to avoid the mountains go south to I-85 and back north, but that adds about 40 miles.

Mountain Directory East is a good reference.