Forum Discussion

sgfrye's avatar
sgfrye
Explorer
Aug 27, 2019

I-26 and I-40 Asheville questions.

Wife and I are traveling from central nc to Gatlingburg TN this weekend for a week long trip. Normally we travel I-40 west to Asheville. We are leaving early Saturday morning and As a change of scenery I plan on heading hwy 24-27 west to Charlotte which I have done numerous times with our TT, then I-85 south, Hwy 74 west to I-26 north to Asheville. Any thoughts on I-26 north to Asheville? Road conditions, traffic? Never been on that stretch. Also,any thoughts on I-40 West from Asheville to Gatlingburg area I've not been on that stretch either. We have a 38 ft TT and f250 gasser so not worried about hills. Towed thru mountains before.
Roads and Routes
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Aug 27, 2019
    We take I-26 west from I-95 to Lake Powhatan Campground near Asheville before heading north in the spring. As others have said, I-26 is a nice run on a good road getting to Asheville, but getting through Asheville at peak traffic times can be pretty hair raising. The interstate junctions can be a can of worms at times, especially with an RV.
  • blownstang01's avatar
    blownstang01
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2019
    A landslide has 74W closed. They are saying Wednesday to re-open...but that has changed from Monday and so on. Better check that it's open when you go, if you decide on that way. I am heading that way Friday to the Tail of the Dragon.

    I know that's not the route you asked about, just a heads up.
  • sgfrye's avatar
    sgfrye
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2019
    blownstang01 wrote:
    A landslide has 74W closed. They are saying Wednesday to re-open...but that has changed from Monday and so on. Better check that it's open when you go, if you decide on that way. I am heading that way Friday to the Tail of the Dragon.

    I know that's not the route you asked about, just a heads up.



    thank you for that heads up. approx what area is that? i checked on nc dot for closures and couldn't find it.
  • ncscz's avatar
    ncscz
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2019
    sgfrye wrote:
    blownstang01 wrote:
    A landslide has 74W closed. They are saying Wednesday to re-open...but that has changed from Monday and so on. Better check that it's open when you go, if you decide on that way. I am heading that way Friday to the Tail of the Dragon.

    I know that's not the route you asked about, just a heads up.



    thank you for that heads up. approx what area is that? i checked on nc dot for closures and couldn't find it.


    The slides were in Swain County through the Nantahala Gorge. The Nantahala Outdoor Center was unreachable and cancelled all Nantahala River excursions earlier this week, but now have re-opened partial hours. The NCDOT is still working the slide areas restoring guard rails and other repairs so there will be some some delay through the gorge. Since this is Labor Day weekend, the NCDOT made a MAJOR effort to re-open the road for all the river outfitters in the gorge. This is the area that was hit by very large wildfires in November 2016.
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2019
    I-40 out of Asheville is fine too. Your best bet is to get off at exit 440 and take 32 right up to 321, and that takes you right into G'burg. Lots of campgrounds on 321 too.
  • jaycocamprs's avatar
    jaycocamprs
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2019
    The part of US-74 that you will be traveling was not affected by the mudslide. US-74 from I-85 to I-26 is all 4 lane. The part thru Shelby NC is slow, but the rest is very good. You will hit I-26 right at the foot of the climb up the mountain, after that it's good. I've always hit very slow traffic on I-26 coming into Ashville. 40 west isn't any problem, but lots of curves

About Bucket List Trips

13,487 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 11, 2025