California to North Carolina… TN/NC Road Conditions?

[Gigman]

Trip from northern Cal to northern NC, taking I40.
Know that I40 is gone between Tennessee (Knoxville) and NC (Asheville).
Anyone done any of the detours recently? Destination is Elizabeth City, NC. Thanks

[Snipechief]

Originally Posted by Gigman

Trip from northern Cal to northern NC, taking I40.
Know that I40 is gone between Tennessee (Knoxville) and NC (Asheville).
Anyone done any of the detours recently? Destination is Elizabeth City, NC. Thanks

I've taken I-40 many times, but 2 years ago we decided to use the I80 from Nor-cal to TN. The road condition is way better. Winter is a factor on I80 though. So is I40 in NM & AZ.

[Gigman]

I80 was closed last week east bound due to snow. Realize that I40 can be problematic through the high country of AZ and NM....hoping for no rain/snow.
Also want to go south through Smoky Mt National Park, then pick up I40 again to get to eastern North Carolina.

Thanks for the reply.. Lou

[rustyrhoads]

I drive through Western MC quite a bit.

US 64 from Cleveland, TN (just NE of Chattanooga) to I40 in Clyde, NC (just West of Asheville) isn’t bad. It has about 30 miles of slower winding 2 lane, but the rest is 55-65 mph, mostly 4 lane. There aren’t any remarkable grades along the route. The winding is to follow the Ocoee River. I just drove it last on Saturday with my 40’ DP towing a 25’ car hauler. I was expecting a lot of truck traffic as it’s one of the commercial truck detours for I40. I was pleasantly surprised to find there was very little truck traffic. I pulled over in turnouts a couple of times to let the little ones past.

I saw reports that I26 is also now open with one lane each direction through Erwin, TN where the bridge was wiped out. I suspect that is where all the truck traffic went that I expected to be on US64.

[Gigman]

Thanks for the suggestion, will look into it.

[wahoonc]

The "official" detour is I40 to I81 in TN, I81 east to I77 south VA, then I77 to I74/US52 back down to I40 near Greensboro. We just went that way to Pigeon Forge a week or so ago. It isn't bad and keeps you on the interstate/4 lanes the entire way.

Aaron

[Gigman]

Yes got it. Think I am going heading south after Knoxville, through Great Smoky NP. then east through Asheville.
Not towing so good break from all interstate.
Thanks to all for the input. Lou