Traveling from Louisville to Charlotte; any mountain driving hazards? (rental car, rental)
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Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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In June I will likely be driving a rental car from Louisville, KY to Charlotte, NC and back. This will be my first long trip driving and wonder if there is anything special I need to know about driving through the mountains in TN and NC. I will likely be using the interstates the whole way through.
So any special things I need to know before undertaking this trip.
It can get really foggy in the upper elevations so definitely be alert when visibility suddenly drops. I think I was around the Tennessee-Kentucky border on 75 when it happened.
Location: ๏̯͡๏﴿ Gwinnett-That's a Civil Matter-County
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I can't think of too many things but I would also have to add that you should keep your eye on the fuel gauge and don't let it get down to fumes before you fill up because there aren't as many exits or gas stations in the mountains. You'll find cheaper gas in TN than in KY or SO so top off once you cross over the border into TN, but don't wait because if you miss that first exit, you're going to go a long long way before the next gas station.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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Seems like periodically there are long term road closures on I-40 through the Smokies and a few months ago even I-75 was closed in East TN near the KY border.
I've gone from Lexington to Charlotte 3 times and have tried several different routes. The closest route per Google Maps is I-75 south to I-40 east to I-26 east to US 74 east. An alt route is to continue on I-40 east to Hickory and then take US 321 (which is a parkway) to I-85. This is my preferred route since one time the traffic was backed up through Shelby NC.
It is 100 miles further to go through Charleston WV.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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Well, I did the the drive. Did I-64, I-75, I-40, I-26, I-85. Left Louisville at 6:15 Sunday morning got to North Charlotte at 1:50. The biggest irritation was the road construction on I-75 in TN and the curves on I-40 in NC. I also made the mistake of taking I-26 all the way down to I-85 in SC instead of just getting onto 74. But all things considered not bad I'll probably do I-85 to 74 and so on to get back home to Louisville.
Mountain men or rednecks, if you prefer, are prevalent.
Take at least one firearm.
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