New Orleans to Asheville N.C.

I-26 has a 6% 3 mile+ up-grade going north/west just inside NC; also several other shorter up and down grades as you come further into the state, including a 7% for about 3/4 mile.

I-40 EB has a 20 mile stretch at & inside the NC border that runs thru Pigeon River Gorge. Lots of truck traffic and wrecks, plenty of curves but a very gentle grade, since it basically follows the river. It does feel narrow, since the roadbed bench is carved out of the side of the mountain. There's no median; the east-west traffic is separated by a concrete guardrail. Truck traffic is limited to 50 mph and the right lane. Best to just take a place in that line and go with them. One tunnel WB, two EB, IIRC. Not so much a dangerous road as one requiring respect and attention.

Nice rest areas entering NC on both 26 & 40. I've overnighted in both with no hassles.

Jim, "Old age comes at a bad time."

Take the phone number with you and call that morning. If the CG has a site available with someone checking in the next day or a lot of open sites, they should let you stay for the night.

Also, may want to just call the cg direct and see what they can do if you really need reservations to make your trip a relaxing one.

The Corps CGs did look really nice.....until I tried to book and found a 2 day minimum. :-(

yloshrk wrote:
Mapquest shows the preferred route as I10/I65 thru Montgomery to Atlanta/I85/I26 up into Ashville.

I65 route I was looking at a stop over at Highland Marina Resort in Lagrange, Ga.

Anybody have any input on other pros and cons, ease of towing, grades involved. All of the driving there and back will be on Sat/Sun so rush hour traffic is not a factor.

The Corps has really excellent campgrounds in and around the West Point Lake/ LaGrange region right off 1-85. Not all are opened during the winter, but they always have at least 1 CG open year round R-Schaeffer Heard.

Some are opening this month and the rest will open in March. R. Schaeffer Heard Park (on US 29 at the dam) is nearest the interstate and the easiest access would be from the West Point exit after you cross from AL into GA across the river over to US 29, or the KIA Plant complex exit over to US 29. Spectacular large sites right on the lake and near to West Point and LaGrange for any needs. There are 50 amp sites available , W+S and a easy access dump stations, very clean facilities. From there its an easy weekend chip shot up through Atlanta and up through the mountains its about 6 hours from this area when we tow the 5ver. (Love that stop at Dillard's for some fine vittles for lunch!)Make reservations if you do decide to go there as it can get busy if there is warm weather.

Highland is a fine facility, but the Corps CGs are easier to get into from the interstate and to get out of with what I think are much nicer sites.

Only negative I see to I59 route is the drive through the Pigeon Forge Gorge. This is a curvey section with gentle grade, but very scenic.

Only negative to I10 route is the boring section on I10, the Atlanta traffic, and then you have the long steep grade called Saluda Mtn.

Think I would take the I59 route. The scenery up I75 from Chattanooga is pretty decent plus the section through the gorge.

We took the I-10 I-65 to Montgomery, Atlanta. We took I-285 around Atlanta. Still some traffic but much better. Then I-26 up to Asheville. Don't remember any steep grades that way.