Key West to Cherokee, NC - Best route suggestions

I would go the I-95 route. And Savannah is a wonderful stop if you can afford a nite or two. Or , right off 95, Santee State park in South Carolina is a convenient stopping point with some beautiful spots this time of the year.

IMHO, I would take the I95 route. I would stay away from Atlanta, even the beltways around Atlanta are a nightmare

The Green River Gorge will be one of your biggest pull/descent.

I-26 West

I-26, NC, MM 65, Uphill grade, Truck lane
I-26, NC, MM 62, Top of uphill grade.
I-26, NC, MM 61, Uphill grade
I-26, NC, MM 59, Downhill
I-26, NC, MM 56, Cross the Green River Bridge, begin 7% uphill grade
I-26, NC, MM 54, Top of the grade.

Continuing on I-26 beyond Asheville there is a 6 percent down grade about the NC/TN state line.

I-75 to I-575(north of Atlanta) to after Blue Ridge GA. North on 60 and 60S to US 74E to Murphy and on to Cherokee. Divided 4 lane except some of 60 and on 74 through the Nantahala Gorge. No hard climbs and good roads. Do Atlanta non rush hour and go straight through on I-75.

TCI wrote:
I'm leaning toward I95 to I26 to I40 to I19.

I "assume" you mean US-19. You do not want to take US-19 from I-40 to Cherokee. Instead take US-74 to just south of Cherokee and then US-441 on into Cherokee. US-19 between Cherokee and Maggie Valley has some very steep grades and sharp curves. Tractor trailers are warned not to take that route by several signs. You will find US-74 to be easier for a big rig.

I-75 to I-475 (Macon Bypass) to Ga 83 (Forsyth) to Madison, Ga. Then US 441 to Athens, Commerce, Clayton, Franklin NC, and then to Cherokee.
US441 will be 4 lane most of the way. There are still a few short stretches that are still 2 lane. After Athens is will be 4 lane all the way to Cherokee.
Shortest, least winding.

I always take 441 to FL and back. Franklin area has a few steep grades but once past that its good. I manage to pull my 37 ft. TT that way just fine. Pick up US- 23 out of Jacksonville to 441

Horsedoc wrote:
I-75 to I-475 (Macon Bypass) to Ga 83 (Forsyth) to Madison, Ga. Then US 441 to Athens, Commerce, Clayton, Franklin NC, and then to Cherokee.
US441 will be 4 lane most of the way. There are still a few short stretches that are still 2 lane. After Athens is will be 4 lane all the way to Cherokee.
Shortest, least winding.

Looking at Google Maps and I can't find 441 north of Cornellia except around Cherokee. I'm guessing that it is also known as US 23? I don't have my paper maps handy.

So, 441 doesn't have many big climbs? We're in a 40'DP. Thanks much for the info.

Horsedoc wrote:
I-75 to I-475 (Macon Bypass) to Ga 83 (Forsyth) to Madison, Ga. Then US 441 to Athens, Commerce, Clayton, Franklin NC, and then to Cherokee.
US441 will be 4 lane most of the way. There are still a few short stretches that are still 2 lane. After Athens is will be 4 lane all the way to Cherokee.
Shortest, least winding.

That's the way I usually take

After years of hating Atlanta, we now always go I-75 to Macon, north-East from there to 441 and up to the Smokies area.