74 is an easy ride. Monroe, and Charlotte are the worst parts. But you can go around Charlotte, on 485, hit 85 South, and then hit 74 west at Kings Mountain, or ride 85 to Shelby and hit 74 there. Or skip 74 all together, and hit 26 off 85.
Any way. Once you leave Shelby on 74 it is a good 4 lane road pretty flat, all the way to where it turns into I-26, where you start up the mountain on Saluda Grade. 
Of course there are roads leading from 74 to Forest city,  Lake Lure, and Chimney Rock