Johnson City, TN to Hiawassee, GA

[Tennessee_Nomad]

We always take I26/US23 across the mountain to Asheville and beyond. I was just wondering if going down I81 towards Knoxville then hitting I40 east and comming out below Asheville would be a better route for towing. Google maps says it's about a 30 minute increase in route time, which would be fine if the drive was a little easier on the TV. I've never been that way and I guess my question is... Has anyone been both ways?... And is the I81 to I40 route any less mountainous of a drive? The I26 route has two or three pretty long climbs... both ways, there and back. Thanks for any advice.

[Travlingman]

If you are on the Jonesborough side of JC, take 11E down to Greenville and then 321 over to I-40 at Newport. Less traffic, cuts milage down verses 81, and it is less climbing than I-26.

[Phil___Stephie]

Going 81/40 has less steep pulls like going over Sam's Gap, you do have "the gorge" after entering North Carolina where trucks are limited to the right lane and a 55 MPH speed limit. We use to live in Johnson City and went Sam's Gap many times with both a gas powered MH and a diesel powered MH. Don't really see the advantage of the increase distance going down I-81 versus just going I-26 unless you tow combination really has a problem pulling those grades on 26.

Give it a try and see what works best for you. Travel safe.