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zackyboy3rs's avatar
zackyboy3rs
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016

I40 to I26 to I81

Ashville thru Johnston City to I81 to Roanoke VA.

How is this route as far as ease to drive? Compared to I40 Black Mountain? Planning summer routes & stops. On I26 what is there to see or do? Never been to that part of NC.

7 Replies

  • scrubjaysnest wrote:
    I'd just take the Blueridge Park Way. Takes longer but plenty of places to smell the Roses.
    Only if you have plenty of time to spare.
  • Max grade on I 26 is 6%. should pose no problems if you take your time and watch the signs
  • I'd just take the Blueridge Park Way. Takes longer but plenty of places to smell the Roses.
  • I26 north of Ashville has a about an 8% grade both up and down other than that it is a nice country drive. There really is no sites to see except the mountains. If you want you can swing over to Grandfather Mountain.
  • Asheville to I81 on I26 is only about 75 miles. The mountain scenery is nice, but not much in the way of "stop and smell the roses" along the way. The grade coming out of Asheville is no worse than the I40 grade going towards Knoxville as I recall.