franklin nc from lake lure

thanks, we made the trip ..good route. only thing is i think the exit is 27 not 33 off of 40. anyway, nice trip thanks for the info

Handbasket nailed it for the easiest and best way if towing anything longer than 8'.

Towing, I'd go US 74 to US 64W (one short steep pull out of Bat Cave) to I-26W at Hendersonville to I-40W at Asheville (heavy traffic before & thru I-26/40/240 junction). Take exit 33 off of I-40. Follow US 23/74 west down to and past Sylva (two 1-mile downhills) to Dillsboro. Take US 23/441 south to Franklin over Cowee Mtn.

IMO, towing on US 64 directly from Bat Cave to Franklin has too much chance of ending in tears on the twisty stretch from Highlands to Franklin. But I admit to not having driven it in the past three-four years, so it may have been improved.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

(Edited to correct wording omission)