Asheville NC to Sangta Fe NM

[Zhidoni]

Hello Folks
My wife and I will be driving a new class C from Asheville to Santa Fe in Late March. WE are unfamiliar with the lands east of the 100th meridian, so would appreciate some advice on good routes. We had been thinking of spending some time in Great Smoky Mtn Natl. Park, then heading home by way of Nashville, Memphis, etc. But we are also curious about possible routes through northern Alabama and Mississippi. We are not necessarily wedded to the idea of taking I40 all the way home, and may be interested in some non Interstate routes. Anyone have any experience in these areas?

thanks

Jack & Nancy Arnold
SFNM

[padredw]

I note your question about campground near Asheville. We have never stayed at that one. We have stayed several times at Creekwood Farm near Waynesville, NC. Also at Holly Cove near Whittier, NC. These are the closest we have stayed to Asheville.

[padredw]

OK, here is a variation from the direct route across Arkansas and Oklahoma from Memphis, which follows I-40.

In Little Rock, instead of staying on I-40, you could take the south bypass to I-30 to Texarkana. You could then follow US 82 all the way across north Texas to US 287 near Wichita Falls. US 287 to Amarillo where you would rejoin I-40 to Clines Corners and up to Santa Fe.

I must admit that this is basically the route we follow from Paris, Texas to Santa Fe.

Of course, I think it would be worth planning a stayover in East Texas.

[Zhidoni]

Has anyone ever stayed at Mama Gertie's near Asheville?

Thanks for all your great suggestions. and padredw, i can handle it..just tell me more!

[TyroneandGladys]

Leave Santa Fe go to Chama NM from Chama NM to Alamosa, then to Monument Lake Resort from there to Trinidad Co and follow the Old Santa Fe Trail to Independence MO then to Branson MO then home
Google Chama NM and Highway 12 the highway of legends. Monument Lake Resort is on that Highway.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

If you want a stop in Tennessee, we like Spring Lake RV Park in Crossville TN off I-40. Back in level sites around small lake. Agree with Argie7 about Natchez Trace. Beautiful drive. We stayed at Davis Lakes Campground near Tupelo at the north end of the Trace, a days drive to the end at Natchez MS. We like to stay at River View Campground across the river from Natchez in Vidalia Louisiana. From Natchez MS you can drop down to Louisiana and go see the Tabasco factory in New Iberia if you have time. Go around Dallas to the north on US380 West. North to Oklahoma City to pick up I-40 again.

[padredw]

There are so many possibilities and variations that I hesitate to select a few to mention, but I think I have been on most of them so I will mention one or two.

You could take US 19/74 west from Asheville. Then stay on US 74/23 near Waynesville, NC. Follow all the way through Andrews and Murphy, NC. US 64/74 to intersection with I-75 to get through Chattanooga. Then I=24 to US 64 all the way across southern Tennessee to Memphis.

It is far less complicated than it sounds. Just take a look on a good map of North Carolina and Tennessee. This is not a fast route, but a pleasant one, and if you have time there are some beautiful spots along the North Carolina portion (Nantahala Gorge, for example; slow driving but beautiful)

There are possibilities west from Memphis, but my comments are complicated enough so I will stop right here.

[Argie7]

In Nashville, you could get on the Natchez Trail (you can Google it), and take a leisurely drive all the way to Mississippi. It's beautiful !