Interstate 26 SC into KY
We are going to be traveling from Florida to Putney, KY on 26 in a few weeks.. was wondering if anyone can give us info on this route? How steep the grades are up and down through the mountains, we ...
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I always get a 'laugh' out of folks who make light of others' safety concerns...
About 4-5 miles after you cross into NC, your first grade on I-26W will be Saluda Grade, where you've got an almost straight road uphill, 6% for about 4 miles. This is most of the climb up the Eastern Continental Divide. A few miles further, you'll hit a reduced speed downhill-uphill crossing the Green River Bridge, at 7% for about 1 mile each down and up. The top of this is the geographical Divide proper. There's another short steep uphill-downhill just past the Biltmore Park exit, going up to the underpass for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At the I-40 junction just south of Asheville, I-26 West becomes co-routed with I-240 East, so watch the signs & pavement markings carefully. After 3-4 miles and a sharp right-hand curve, you'll be on a big 4-lane bridge over the French Broad River. The right lane ends. You need to get all the way over to the left lane before the end of the bridge, for a left-hand exit to continue on I-26W.
Just before the TN line, you'll start up Sams Gap. It's a fairly straight 4 mile 6% climb, 3 lanes up, with a short downgrade 1/2 way up. At the top, you're in TN, and the road turns to 2-lane each way, and gets very curvy downhill @ 6% for 3-4 miles. There's at least one runaway truck ramp.
Jim, "Next time you wave, use more fingers."
About 4-5 miles after you cross into NC, your first grade on I-26W will be Saluda Grade, where you've got an almost straight road uphill, 6% for about 4 miles. This is most of the climb up the Eastern Continental Divide. A few miles further, you'll hit a reduced speed downhill-uphill crossing the Green River Bridge, at 7% for about 1 mile each down and up. The top of this is the geographical Divide proper. There's another short steep uphill-downhill just past the Biltmore Park exit, going up to the underpass for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At the I-40 junction just south of Asheville, I-26 West becomes co-routed with I-240 East, so watch the signs & pavement markings carefully. After 3-4 miles and a sharp right-hand curve, you'll be on a big 4-lane bridge over the French Broad River. The right lane ends. You need to get all the way over to the left lane before the end of the bridge, for a left-hand exit to continue on I-26W.
Just before the TN line, you'll start up Sams Gap. It's a fairly straight 4 mile 6% climb, 3 lanes up, with a short downgrade 1/2 way up. At the top, you're in TN, and the road turns to 2-lane each way, and gets very curvy downhill @ 6% for 3-4 miles. There's at least one runaway truck ramp.
Jim, "Next time you wave, use more fingers."
