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By far, the best way for me is I-40 to I-81 then I-77 south to US 52 to Winston Salem. Pick up I-40 again in WS and you are about an hour+ from Raleigh. I don't like I-40 from Knoxville to Asheville........too much traffic thru the mountains. This way is about 15 miles longer than staying on I-40 but the driving time is the same.
Dear Mthelen,
You asked about the I64 route towards Richmond VA, and if you go that way, you'll still have to cross over the Appalachian Mountain Range... you could post over in the Virginia forum and they'll tell you how that particular highway crossing is.
I found a couple websites that show pictures of the I77 Fancy Gap way, and the I40 Pigeon River Gorge way, so maybe you can get some idea about what they're like by looking at these:
I might add that I'm assuming you realize our mountains are nowhere near as rugged and steep as your Colorado mountains, so really, it is likely that whichever way you choose will be a lot easier than getting out of Denver will be. I am familiar with Chapel Hill and it is really a nice town, I think you'll like living there, if you haven't already visited.
GG
Thanks for your input and very helpful suggestions.
I'm driving from Denver to Chapel Hill NC. There are major interstates that travel north (I-64) and south (I-40). From there, it's up for grabs. Where is the easiest, flattest place to cross the mountains? How about I-64 6o I-85 going by Richmond?
It looks like a big map to me. I really don't know what's best in terms of travel ease... more help requested please.
Going from Denver east I would think you'd take the most direct route - I70, then I64 at St. Louis all the way to Charleston, WVA, no need to go thru TN and Ashville at all. I64 becomes I77 south, which you could easily take all the way into NC. The only hairy parts of that for me are those 8 miles from Fancy Gap, Virginia to the NC state line, which as I stated earlier are not really THAT bad at all - the interstate is 6 laned there, nice and wide.
Thank you for all the very wonderful tips and suggestions, as well as the links to the photos of the roads.
I guess I'll end up taking the I-64 to I-77 route since that road looks pretty good from photos and more people seemed to favor it, as it is quicker and the elevation portion is short-lived. I felt reassured that there are runaway ramps there too.
And thanks for the positive feed about Chapel Hill. I feel anxious but also excited. I have in fact visited before and liked the feel of the area, it rained one night and it was so magical for me to hear it falling since I live in Denver where it NEVER rains!!
Thanks so much. I'll keep checking back for a few more days in case anyone has something new to add.
A lot depends on how comfortable you are driving in the mountains, driving that size vehicle, and your fatigue level at that point in the trip.
If it were me, I'd go Jim's way, but my spouse drives for a living and has been over those mountains in all weather more times than he can count. Our best way might not work for you. I would avoid Atlanta at all costs. It's just a headache you don't need after a few days on the road (I feel the same about St. Louis -- hate, hate, <i>hate</i> driving in St. Louis). Are you willing to get off the interstate? if so, take a look at going through Chatanooga across to Spartanburg and then up through Charlotte. Then you can go up through Asheboro and Siler City, missing the hell that is Greensboro traffic, and come up into Raleigh through Apex and Cary. No, the roads aren't as wide, but the traffic isn't anywhere near as congested either. And it's a comparatively flat run.
Google will want to route you through Kentucky and West Virginia. Do not do this. it's an insane routing and even professional drivers avoid it in they can.
My rec is for Penske, then Budget. Never had a problem with either. Never had a problem with UHaul either, but their prices are just too high on one ways.
Which route did you end up taking? We are traveling from DC to Asheville in a Suburban with a Uhaul trailer and curious which way is the best and easiest on the car? I'm looking at 66 to 81 to 26 into Asheville. Thanks.
^^^ That is how I would go, and have done that route many times from the northeast by picking up Rt. 81 in upstate NY.
Rt. 81 is scenic and not crazy traffic. Have a safe trip.
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I would avoid Atlanta at all costs. It's just a headache you don't need after a few days on the road (I feel the same about St. Louis -- hate, hate, <i>hate</i> driving in St. Louis). Are you willing to get off the interstate? if so, take a look at going through Chatanooga across to Spartanburg and then up through Charlotte. Then you can go up through Asheboro and Siler City, missing the hell that is Greensboro traffic, and come up into Raleigh through Apex and Cary. No, the roads aren't as wide, but the traffic isn't anywhere near as congested either. And it's a comparatively flat run. 
