Anyone familiar with this stretch of road TN/NC/SC?

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 02:08 PM

On our big trip this summer we are heading down and staying a few days at AnchorDown in Tennessee and then on to Pirateland in Myrtle Beach.

I was wondering what anyone could tell me about the stretch through the mountains? Mainly this stretch on I-75->I-40->I-26. How bad is this stretch, bad grade? Curvy? Anything special to be aware of? Just trying to do my due diligence for my trip.

3'senough · 06-24-2015, 02:38 PM

You will climb heading east on 40 through the Smokies for sure. There is a 7 mile 8% grade in Ashville that is a treat, but your going down heading east so stay in the slow flashing lane and keep it under 50 at all times. It is a winding snake all the way down. After that is a fairly flat ride to the beach. There is away to go the backdoor from 75 to the Smokies parkway to I40. I was in Cherokee, NC last year and the Smokies Parkway is manageable. NOT MAGGIE VALLEY ROAD.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 02:43 PM

Several 6-7% grades out of Knoxville (up)and coming into SC at Saluda. (down).

I drive them all the time. No problems. I-40 is kinda tight between the end of Tn coming into NC due to hills but they are all good roads.
Some congestion in SC where you leave I-26 and go to I-20.

Beautiful scenic drive.

Lots of nice rest areas every 50 or so miles with camper/truck parking.

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 02:49 PM

Thanks everyone. So basically, it's Mountains (duh

), but not anything I should be too overly worried about as long as I'm not stupid? Shouldn't be white-knuckling it too much through this stretch.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 03:10 PM

When you pass I-40 exit 20 give us a wave off to the right. We will be over there at Pride Resort about 2 miles off the interstate.

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

When you pass I-40 exit 20 give us a wave off to the right. We will be over there at Pride Resort about 2 miles off the interstate.

I sure will. I'm heading from North Central Illinois. I'm taking this route down hitting Anchordown. But would there be a better/easier route to go on the way home? Other than returning the way I came, Google gives an option of going pretty much I-74 up to Charleston then to Cincinnati. That route any easier or not?

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddybar

I sure will. I'm heading from North Central Illinois. I'm taking this route down hitting Anchordown. But would there be a better/easier route to go on the way home? Other than returning the way I came, Google gives an option of going pretty much I-74 up to Charleston then to Cincinnati. That route any easier or not?

Do you mean Charleston, WV? that would be I-77. It is a good road also. Back to Charlotte, NC follow up thru Virginia.

Not sure if one is better unless the time is less. I have driven both.

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Do you mean Charleston, WV? that would be I-77. It is a good road also. Back to Charlotte, NC follow up thru Virginia.

Not sure if one is better unless the time is less. I have driven both.

Yeah, Charleston WV. The difference according to Google is a few miles and a matter of minutes overall. So that's not an issue.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 03:52 PM

Personally I would go back the other way on I-77 just for a scenery change. There is one section just into Virginia where there are some 6% grades up but you won't have a problem. Watch out for fog in that area!

Another idea is to look for another route to Charlotte like Conway to I-95 to I-85 to I-77 at Charlotte. Seems straighter.

penguin747 · 06-24-2015, 03:54 PM

You will love anchor down. Very clean facilities

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Another idea is to look for another route to Charlotte like Conway to I-95 to I-85 to I-77 at Charlotte. Seems straighter.

Yeah, that's the route. I just was too lazy to type all of the different interstates out.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddybar

Yeah, that's the route. I just was too lazy to type all of the different interstates out.

Lazys not supposed to start till vacation starts! LOL

You have a full days drive from Anchor Down to Pirateland. I would make that a 2 day trip with a overnight at barnyard in Columbia, SC, but I don't like to drive over 5-6 hours a day.

buddybar · 06-24-2015, 04:22 PM

I think we're going to do that stretch in one day. Especially after staying multiple nights at AnchorDown. The long drive doesn't bother me.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 05:52 PM

Ahhh youth!

Nighthawk 96 · 06-24-2015, 05:55 PM

We live in Columbia SC, just a mile from I26. Dreher Island St Park is our favorite campground, off of Exit 91.

We stay at Myrtle Beach St Park, about 2 miles from your destination.
We do not take I20 to Florence.

Take I26 toward Charleston and then I77 to Hwy 378 all the way to Conway; and then 501 to MB. There is a Subway and gas station east of Sumter, as you come to I95

About 5 miles east of I95 is a town call Turbeville. DO NOT SPEED here. If you are coming into MB on a Saturday the traffic will be terrible no matter which route you take.

We go on Sunday afternoon and leave Friday morning. All the old week style time shares are from Sat to Sat.

**norty1** · 06-24-2015, 06:02 PM

Thanks, I forgot to mention about avoiding entering or leaving MB from I-95 on a Saturday. If possible.

buddybar · 06-25-2015, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk 96

We live in Columbia SC, just a mile from I26. Dreher Island St Park is our favorite campground, off of Exit 91.

We stay at Myrtle Beach St Park, about 2 miles from your destination.
We do not take I20 to Florence.

Take I26 toward Charleston and then I77 to Hwy 378 all the way to Conway; and then 501 to MB. There is a Subway and gas station east of Sumter, as you come to I95

About 5 miles east of I95 is a town call Turbeville. DO NOT SPEED here. If you are coming into MB on a Saturday the traffic will be terrible no matter which route you take.

We go on Sunday afternoon and leave Friday morning. All the old week style time shares are from Sat to Sat.

Thanks, this is great. We are coming in on a Monday, so we thankfully won't have to worry about that.

buddybar · 06-25-2015, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Ahhh youth!

LOL. We are at that good spot where the long drives don't bother me, and the kids are old enough they can handle it about as well as you would expect too.

Biggest obstacle on road trips is the biological marvel that is the small size of DW's bladder....

exjay1 · 06-28-2015, 09:14 PM

I just drove your planned route a few days ago after returning from our cross country trip. Didnt have the TT in tow but just to let your know there are a few tight spots outside Asheville heading towards the SC line on that interstate where some road construction is going on and several miles of temp cement baracade walls are in place in the twisty parts. Have a save ride down and hit me up some time while in Pirate Land. Were going over there tomorrow for a "stay-cation" before I have to go back to work. Oh... try to come in early morning or late evening. Traffic on 501 and 544 is a nightmare with renters/vacationers funeling into the CGs.

PowerStroke · 06-28-2015, 10:36 PM

I took that exact route in reverse. We came from Pirateland, to the Biltmore in Asheville, and then back 40 to 75 back home to Ohio. There are a couple good hills, and a couple tunnels but it's not bad. Then again I was pulling a 4k lb camper with a 3/4 ton diesel so I couldn't really tell it was back there.

I'd say your travels on 40 from the Gatlinburg area to Asheville will be the most stressful/ exciting. Once you get through Asheville it's going to be a whole lot of downhill.

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