Myrtle Beach to Gatlinburg via I26
How is this for steep grades and hills?
Forum Discussion
Seems to be some corn-fusion here.... 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.
To get to Gatlinburg, follow I-26 to Asheville, then take I-40W into TN. Sams Gap is further up I-26, well north-west of Asheville, and would take you well out of your way unless you need to go that far north. I-40W from Asheville is a fair road, but twisty from NC MM 20 to about MM 4 in TN. No real grades, but but lots of curves as you follow Pigeon River Gorge.
Jim, "Next time you wave, use more fingers."
To get to Gatlinburg, follow I-26 to Asheville, then take I-40W into TN. Sams Gap is further up I-26, well north-west of Asheville, and would take you well out of your way unless you need to go that far north. I-40W from Asheville is a fair road, but twisty from NC MM 20 to about MM 4 in TN. No real grades, but but lots of curves as you follow Pigeon River Gorge.
Jim, "Next time you wave, use more fingers."
