Knoxville Tn to Boone NC what route?

That is a good route, except for 321 from JC to Boone, about 50+ miles. Mtn hills are not bad. Worst part is 321 going around Watauga Lake, about 20+ miles and at about 40-45 mph. I actually like this route better, DW likes Asheville better.

Travlingman wrote:

garyp4951 wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I go to Merlefest every year in Wilksboro, and have always gone I40 through Asheville. Some friends have said that the Johnson city route was tough on rv's, but it looks like a shorter run. Is it all four lane.

I assume that you mean from Johnson City to Boone by 321 and not going back on I26 to Asheville, which would make no sense coming from Knoxville since you could take 40 from there. If by 321, no it is not 4 lane. After Hampton on, majority is 2 lane, at least to Boone. Don't know what kind of pulling rig or weight you are towing, but there are some good climbs that way.

My bad, thought he was asking about I26...I knew he was taking 321, it does have some mountainous 2 lane road to travel, thus the reason I too asked him what he was towing.


To the OP, you may want to pose this question on the "Roads and Routes" forum, or have Moderator move it to that section....May get some more insight as to what other suggestions there might be...I've never towed 321, so can't speak of that, just got the impression that you had...my apologies if I misunderstood..

garyp4951 wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I go to Merlefest every year in Wilksboro, and have always gone I40 through Asheville. Some friends have said that the Johnson city route was tough on rv's, but it looks like a shorter run. Is it all four lane.

I assume that you mean from Johnson City to Boone by 321 and not going back on I26 to Asheville, which would make no sense coming from Knoxville since you could take 40 from there. If by 321, no it is not 4 lane. After Hampton on, majority is 2 lane, at least to Boone. Don't know what kind of pulling rig or weight you are towing, but there are some good climbs that way.

garyp4951 wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I go to Merlefest every year in Wilksboro, and have always gone I40 through Asheville. Some friends have said that the Johnson city route was tough on rv's, but it looks like a shorter run. Is it all four lane.

It's all 4 lane interstate, going from Asheville to Johnson city where I connect with 81, the road ride is smooth, speed limit drops to 55 when going through city limits...traffic runs smooth, some 3 lanes for people to exit and enter I26 in and around that area....heading from 81 getting back on I26, when you go through city limits, in the right lane it's like you're hitting cracks, but I don't see any...move over into the Left lane and it's smooth sailing...(move back and forth and you'll see what I mean.)

Have a safe trip.

Thanks for the advice, I go to Merlefest every year in Wilksboro, and have always gone I40 through Asheville. Some friends have said that the Johnson city route was tough on rv's, but it looks like a shorter run. Is it all four lane.

The 2 times we have gone to Boone we have gone up thru Johnson City and Elizabethton, TN on US-321. Not bad road, but not a lot of places to stop past Hamton TN. We alway got diesel in Elizabethton, then bought just enough in Boone to get back. Fuel (gas & diesel) is higher in NC than TN, and Boone is higher still

Moved from Fifth Wheel Forum

garyp4951 wrote:
I have always gone through Asheville NC, but wondered about going through Johnson City Tn. Anyone pulled a fiver that route.
Thanks, Gary

Had to edit: You'll be leaving Knoxville and going to Boone...I 26 from I81 has a speed limit of 55 to 70 mph..I've towed that route many a time and have never had any issues. You do slow down when getting into the city limits, but it's really not that bad, I 26 road is rough in the right lane, but not bad in the left lane....(don't know why, can't "see" anything going on to make it that way, but having towed in both lanes, the left lane in the 55 mph speed zone is a smoother ride in the left lane.

anyway, you will have no issues...I never have