Nice to get a jump on the planning. I am not sure about the amount of time you intend to take to do this trip. That would be helpful. Are you firm in the route you are thinking of taking? The 2 places that I think you could pass up are Raleigh and Atlanta. Unless you have already planned for things to do and want to see there I don't see the attraction. As replacements I would go to Asheville and Chattanooga. Biltmore house in Asheville is a no miss if you have never been. The aquarium in Chattanooga is a no miss. There are a lot of other things to do in both cities too.