Forum Discussion

spinnerfamily's avatar
spinnerfamily
Explorer
May 01, 2014

Advice requested: Ocoee TN to Franklin NC to Myrtle Beach SC

Just getting involved with RVs. This will only be our third trip. We have a 36' "light weight" travel trailer (Heartland North Trail) and are planning a trip from Knoxville to Ocoee for white water rafting, to Franklin NC for waterfalls and a concert (38 special), to Myrtle Beach and then back home to Knoxville TN. We are basically towing near our weight limit, therefore a steep grade greater than about 60 degrees could force us into 4WD low. We are looking for information or experiences regarding the mountain sections of highways, along with any other ideas or comments to maximize the fun factor!

Any advice would be appreciated:

Any grade concerns from Ocoee to Franklin especially east of Hayesville on US64?

If we take the route from Franklin Northeast on US23 to I40 through Asheville, then south on I26 heading to Myrtle, any grade concerns, etc.

Or should we take US23 south to US76, I85 to Myrtle Beach?

Thanks in advance.
Roads and Routes
  • narcodog's avatar
    narcodog
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2014
    I have driven through the Nantahalla Gorge a hundred times and never had anyone put their hands on my vehicle.
    There are some grades but nothing to worry about. &4 will take you straight to Franklin, four lane most the way. The only two lane is through the Gorge it's self about 20 miles.
  • jaycocamprs's avatar
    jaycocamprs
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    You can go up to I-40 like Skylark said, or south down US-441 to I-85 at Commerce GA. It will add a few miles, but you will get out of the mountains sooner.
  • lizzie's avatar
    lizzie
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Skylark's directions are good. Personally, I prefer towing through Nantahala Gorge to going across the mountains to Franklin. Funny, I have been driving up here for 50 years and have yet to have anybody put their wet hands on my vehicle. Maybe it's because I don't call folks idiots? lizzie
  • spinnerfamily's avatar
    spinnerfamily
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Thanks so much for the information guys. I am concerned about grade because we did not put the heavy horses in front of the cart for this trailer.
  • moonlightrunner's avatar
    moonlightrunner
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    Personally, I ran Hwy 76 thru N. GA often with an RV. It's one of my favourite drives. I don't like Hwy 64 thru the Gorge due to delays from idiots getting hung on the sides of the road and the idiot rafters who feel the need to touch my RV while I creep thru (wet hands on road grimey RV leaves nasty looking streaks). I have run Hwy 411 from Ocoee to Ramhurst (south of Chatsworth) picked up Hwy 76 and ran that all the way to I-85. I guess it's all in what you are comfortable with. I don't think Hwy 76 is curvy at all and I'm originally from FL! But I have spent many years towing trailers and driving increasingly larger RV's thru the Southern Appalachians. It could be that once I was comfortable pulling one size rv, I would upgrade to a larger one so the learning curve :D wasn't all that great. I just take it slow and easy.
  • narcodog's avatar
    narcodog
    Explorer II
    May 01, 2014
    To avoid Franklin mountain you can stay on Hwy 74 through the Nantahalla gorge.It's two lane but a very nice drive.
  • Skylark's avatar
    Skylark
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    Spinner, coming from Ocoee, just take U. S. 64 east to Murphy, NC there is a small mountain range after crossing the NC line called Franklin Mountain. There is a similar mountain between Hayesville and Franklin. When you leave Franklin, take 23 & 441 to 74 to I 40 then to I 26. DO Not Take 76 across the mountains, very steep and curvy.

    Take i 26 to Columbia, then i 20 east toward Florence, then 501 to Myrtle Beach.

    I have took that trip several times over the years and that is the best route with a RV.

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