Arizona to North Carolina

[hharvey]

We are planning a one way trip from Phoenix AZ to North Carolina. We will be driving a 1985 28 foot Class A Allegro. Anyone have a preferred route they like to travel.
I would prefer to only travel about 5 to 6 hours per day.

[2gypsies1]

Since you plan to leave in winter I'd definitely take I-10 across. I-40 was even closed down yesterday or the day before because of snow.

[hharvey]

Our departure has been delayed a little. I took the old gal in for an oil change before the trip and now the speedometer no longer works. I have not determined yet if the cable has broken or if something has been detached.

[wecamp04]

Keep an eye on the weather forecast.I'm just across the state line from boone and it was slick here last night.If you want interstate all the way I would go I40 to I77 to 421 into boone.

[hharvey]

Thanks everyone for the information.
We plan to leave Arizona on the 26th so I have a little time to go over the great information you guys provided.

[ken56]

If time is of concern then do I-40. Its the most direct. The construction thru Memphis and Nashville is not terrible if you avoid going thru during rush hour times. Patience is still in order though. There are a lot of campgrounds all along I-40 so planning for reservations should not be necessary. Lots of places to stop and see too if you want to fit in some sight seeing too.

I have to agree with Tom (above post) for going thru Asheville (stop and see the Biltmore House) to US 64 in Morganton then up US 321 into Boone, its the least twisty. Just remember you are in the mountains so there is not much straight road anywhere in that area. Beautiful country there too. Enjoy.

[pulsar]

hharvey wrote:

wecamp04 wrote:
Where in north carolina are you going ?

Boone

The I-10 route across Texas and entering NC near Charlotte would be 200 miles further than taking the I-40 route.

A compromise would be to take I-10 to Texas, crossing Texas on I-20 to I-30 and on to I-40 at Little Rock. That's only 50 miles longer than the I-40 route.

The issue with the I-40 route is how to get to Boone. An RV GPS would probably route you up I-81, a little east of Knoxville, TN. Then to I-26 and, finally, US 321. You won't enjoy the 50 miles on 321 through the mountains. At least the cars behind you will not enjoy it.

I suggest that you enter NC on I-40, continue through around Asheville to US 64 in Morganton, to US 321 to Boone. US 321 from the south side of Boone is a multilane highway.

Tom

[hharvey]

wecamp04 wrote:
Where in north carolina are you going ?

Boone

[pulsar]

wecamp04 wrote:
Where in north carolina are you going ?

This is a pertinent question.

Although the route for the first half of the trip need not change, one might choose a different second half for a trip to Asheville than one would choose for a trip to Raleigh.

Tom

[wecamp04]

Where in north carolina are you going ?

[TyroneandGladys]

The only change I would make on padredw's I40 route would be Dancing Eagle Casino RV Park at $10 for a hookup site instead of Grants, NM: Blue Spruce RV Park

[hharvey]

Padredw thank you for the great details. You gave me a lot of options.

[padredw]

Here are a couple of other possibilities:

Phoenix to Grants, NM: Blue Spruce RV Park, about 6:30 hrs.
Grants to Amarillo, TX: Oasis RV Resort, about 6:20 hrs.
Amarillo to Checotah, OK: KOA, about 6:40 hrs.
Checotah to W. Memphis, AR: Tom Sawyer RV, about 6:35 hrs.
W. Memphis to Harrison,TN: Caney Creek RV, abouit 6:40 hrs.
Then about 5:20 hrs. on to Charlotte

Phoenix to Las Cruses, NM: KOA, about 6:45 hrs.
Las Cruces to Odessa, TX: Midessa Oil Patch RV, about 6:20 hrs.
Odessa to Arlington, TX: Treetops RV; about 6:00 hrs.
Arlington to Vicksburg: Ameristar Casino RV: about 7:00 hrs.
Vicksburg to Tallapoosa, GA: Big Oak RV, about 6:50 hrs.
Then about 5:30 hrs. on to Charlotte

Comments about first route. This puts you through Memphis where there is ongoing construction and also Nashville and Knoxville.

The second route skits on I-20 south of Dallas/Fort Worth. I have always found it full speed limit around. There are many choices of RV parks. We have stayed at Treetops, KOA, and Cedar Hill State Park. All were fine, just different. We have also stayed at the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg and the Big Oak in Tallapoosa, GA. Birmingham is an easy city to navigate on I-459. I've never had trouble in Atlanta, but timing is important there.

These are just examples based on one assumption: that you are just making the trip and not visiting tourist attractions. If not, that could change everything.

I've been over all of the second route and most of the first--except through Oklahoma on I-40. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have about these routes or other possibilities.

[PenMan]

I prefer the southern route also. I avoid I40 in Arkansas unless I absolutely have to take it. I prefer to stay south and then come north through Atlanta.

[midnightsadie]

take rt10 all the way across texas , not bad on hills and plenty of stops to lay over,we like cracker barrel good food and plenty of back lot parking.