knoxville south on I40 thru asheville

Have you considered taking 25E to Newport TN then 25/70 over to Asheville? Its slower yes, but keeps you off the interstate and the road is pretty good IMO. We loved Berea when we passed thru last fall.

In addition to the items that people have mentioned on I-40 and I-26, there's also a spot to be aware of on I-75. You'll have a long descent to the KY/TN state line, followed by about a five mile climb back up Jellico Hill. Again, as others have suggested, try to stay off of the brakes going down, and try to keep at peak horsepower RPM on the way back up, and you'll be fine.

We had to exit at the bottom of the hill going southbound and take a detour about two years ago because of a combination of construction and an accident closing the highway going up Jellico Hill southbound. We have a 40' DP and pull a toad. You do NOT want to "enjoy" that experience.

Thanks everyone. Just hate grinding up big big hills.. little big hills I can tolerate. Thanks again

rv2go wrote:
Thousands do it every year.

Some notes of mine that might help:

I-40 East from Knoxville, TN

I-40, TN, MM 444, Begin 55mph Truck restriction lane.
I-40, TN, MM 445, Caution, 50mph Left curve.
I-40, TN, MM 450, Caution, sharp 45mph left curve.
I-40, NC, MM 20, End Truck restriction lane. 60mph downhill race to Asheville, NC
I-40, NC, MM 46A, I-26 Split.
I-26, NC, MM 53/54 Continental Divide, 2130 feet.

I-26, NC, MM 54, Enter the Green River Gorge, 7 % downhill grade, 55mph.

I-26, NC, MM 55, Bridge over the Green River.
I-26, NC, MM 61, Start uphill pull.
I-26, NC, MM 62, 6% Downhill grade.
I-26, NC, MM 62.5. Bottom
I-26, SC, Gentle rolling hills to Columbia, SC

I used these notes 2 weeks ago going from Knoxville to Myrtle Beach. They are fantastic!

Allworth I think you mean I-85 not 86 at Spartanburg/Greenville.
To OP when you come down I-26 near Saluda, just take it easy down the mountain, try your best NOT to ride your brakes. Enjoy your trip.

JMHO, but I prefer 26. Possibly because I'm used to it but it seems more "predictable" than 40. Once you cross 86 at Greenville/Spartanburg is an easy run to the coast.

I love driving down Black Mountain. Done it several times.

In 1980 I lived about 50 miles from Ashville. I owned a motorcycle and loved riding down Black Mountain. Over time, I "coasted" with no engine on faster and faster.

One time coming down that mountain, I think I was 85 mph or faster when I hit the bottom and right there at the foot was a police car. I saw him in my mirrors. Well, we had some serious rain the night before, and he was sitting on soft soil, and when he spun out, he got stuck.

I guarantee you, I did not go back to help him! Ahhh... Those were the days when I was much younger and much more stupid!

Thousands do it every year.

Some notes of mine that might help:

I-40 East from Knoxville, TN

I-40, TN, MM 444, Begin 55mph Truck restriction lane.
I-40, TN, MM 445, Caution, 50mph Left curve.
I-40, TN, MM 450, Caution, sharp 45mph left curve.
I-40, NC, MM 20, End Truck restriction lane. 60mph downhill race to Asheville, NC
I-40, NC, MM 46A, I-26 Split.
I-26, NC, MM 53/54 Continental Divide, 2130 feet.

I-26, NC, MM 54, Enter the Green River Gorge, 7 % downhill grade, 55mph.

I-26, NC, MM 55, Bridge over the Green River.
I-26, NC, MM 61, Start uphill pull.
I-26, NC, MM 62, 6% Downhill grade.
I-26, NC, MM 62.5. Bottom
I-26, SC, Gentle rolling hills to Columbia, SC

Traveling from Tennessee into North Carolina, you will climb through the Pigeon River Gorge. This is a "gentle" (3 to 4% grade) for about 20 miles.

Leaving Asheville toward South Carolina, you will have two choices, I-26 or I-40 to I-77. I-26 has a 3-mile section of 6% grade (Saluda). I-40 has a 5.5-mile section of 6% grade (Black Mountain)

We travel in a 38' Journey, pulling a CR-V and have no trouble with either grade.

Tom.

Either direction you go out of Asheville (east 40 or south 26) you will run into one or two steep grades. I don't think you will have much problem though.