HIawassee, Georgia to Ashville, N. Carolina

If you are asking about any hills then yes there are 2.5. The 1.5 is before Franklin where you go up some, then down a little and then up even more to Winding Stair Gap where you are required to stop and check your brakes. Coming down is fairly steep but you should be able to do it at 35 mph using just your exhaust brake and there are not any switchbacks. You need to use a lower gear than what it took to get to the gap.

North of Franklin on 441 is a pretty good climb but a much easier descent that I take at 50+ mph. There is another climb/descent on 74 but it is so gradual that you will hardly notice it.

On I-40 east of Asheville is one of the longest, steepest descents in the East. Not a problem, but it keeps going and going so keep the speed down. Old Fort is five miles at 6% with three runaway ramps and trucks are required to stop at the top and check their brakes

I would just go east on 76 to Clayton and get on 441 to Franklin. It's a nice drive somewhat curvy, I drive it often.

I am not understanding how you are going to access US 64 at Hayesville. Will you be coming from Murphy? US 64 east of Franklin toward Ashville is a very steep and curvy road. Many RV-ers avoid it. It Is beautiful though. lizzie

Sorry, I now see you are coming from Hiwassee. Please excuse my error. lizzie

64 to Franklin is curvy... NO
76 to Clayton is curvy... YES

Thanks for the responses. May be making a trip to the Maratimes next year with a stop in Hiawassee to see my son, then on through N. Carolina to see other relatives before heading generally north/northeast.

GM

We did 76 from Clayton to Hiawassee right at dusk on a rainy evening with our fifth wheel. It is the only road my wife has made me promise never to travel again. Two lane road with lots of tight curves with elevation changes.

I'm confused, which way is the best route from Hiwassee to Asheville?

Take 76 or 64, to Franklin. I don't mind hills and curves. Were planning on doing this trip but from Asheville to Hiawassee.

It's 15 miles further to us 76 and 441 to Clayton than 64 to/from Franklin. While Laman's wife may have overreacted... you should have driven it 25 years ago before they took a lot of the curves out. Anyway, use 64 as it's a nice pretty road.