How is I-26 from Asheville to Kingsport TN? (Charlotte, Lexington: coupons, hotel)

[censusdata]

I am going to be going from Lexington KY to the Charlotte NC area on Labor Day. I noticed that an alt route to taking I-40 through the Smokies would be taking the new stretch of I-26 from Kingsport to Asheville (along with US 25E in KY, which is a nice 4 lane road).

Is I-26 a better road through the mountains than I-40?

[fmors]

I-26 between Kingsport and Asheville is a very good stretch of Interstate. It is much better than I-40 through the gorge. By all means take the I-26 route.

[JoshB]

Censusdata!
I was just on 25E in Kentucky a month ago and I was on 26 in Tennessee. I know 25E in Kentucky near Cumberland Gap is having some construction. I-26 from Johnson City to Asheville is some of the most beautiful interstate I've ever experienced. Their is some scenic pull-offs. I'd recommend stopping at the North Carolina Visitor center as you traverse I-26 southbound. They have tons of info with books that have hotel coupons!

Have a safe trip and take your camera! The Mountains are stunning.

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by JoshB

Censusdata!
I was just on 25E in Kentucky a month ago and I was on 26 in Tennessee. I know 25E in Kentucky near Cumberland Gap is having some construction. I-26 from Johnson City to Asheville is some of the most beautiful interstate I've ever experienced. Their is some scenic pull-offs. I'd recommend stopping at the North Carolina Visitor center as you traverse I-26 southbound. They have tons of info with books that have hotel coupons!

Have a safe trip and take your camera! The Mountains are stunning.

Thanks. I am actually looking for an excuse to go 25E because I want to go to Black Mountain, Kentucky's highest point (4,041 feet) and the Coal Miners Museum in Benham KY. My grandfather on my dad's side actually lived on Black Mountain just down from the summit, his name is actually on the 'honor roll' at the Miners Museum since he worked in the mine at Lynch for 40 years.

Regardless of I-26 or I-40 through the Smokies, I am going to drive up to Mount Mitchell NC, the highest point in the Eastern US. That is going to be really cool.

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Thanks. I am actually looking for an excuse to go 25E because I want to go to Black Mountain, Kentucky's highest point (4,041 feet) and the Coal Miners Museum in Benham KY. My grandfather on my dad's side actually lived on Black Mountain just down from the summit, his name is actually on the 'honor roll' at the Miners Museum since he worked in the mine at Lynch for 40 years.

Regardless of I-26 or I-40 through the Smokies, I am going to drive up to Mount Mitchell NC, the highest point in the Eastern US. That is going to be really cool.

I was at Mount Mitchell, too! It was breathtaking! I ate at the restaurant and everything. You will have a great time. Make sure your camera is fully charged! The weather up there was great, sunny like 62. I couldn't believe it. It was like heaven on earth.

[arbyunc]

I also can heartily recommend the I-26 drive north of Asheville. It's an incredibly beautiful drive.

[chickenista]

It is beautiful!
But.... make sure you actually LOOK at the speed limit signs. It is lower there than you would expect and they do like to grab folks.
Especially go back into Tennessee~

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by chickenista

It is beautiful!
But.... make sure you actually LOOK at the speed limit signs. It is lower there than you would expect and they do like to grab folks.
Especially go back into Tennessee~

Ha, I noticed that, too!

Speed limits on I-26 are what like 55 most of the stretch once you start ascending the mountains. As chickenista stated Tennessee highway patrol doesn't look to have any mercy. When I came back from Asheville I seen plenty of cars stopped on I-26 North, all were by Tennesse State Troopers.

[Tennesseestorm]

I can add another positive to that... we take I-26 from Bristol Tennessee when going down to visit relatives in South Carolina. It was just on that interstate on Saturday. The road is especially new on the North Carolina side and the Tennessee side has been repaved even more recently. No potholes, no bad pavement (like we encounter in Asheville on I26 and in parts of SC) and its a nice drive through the mountains... expect a couple of steep grades going up/down on each side of the state line, but for the most part its straight. Beautiful drive too, with a couple of scenic overlooks.

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

I can add another positive to that... we take I-26 from Bristol Tennessee when going down to visit relatives in South Carolina. It was just on that interstate on Saturday. The road is especially new on the North Carolina side and the Tennessee side has been repaved even more recently. No potholes, no bad pavement (like we encounter in Asheville on I26 and in parts of SC) and its a nice drive through the mountains... expect a couple of steep grades going up/down on each side of the state line, but for the most part its straight. Beautiful drive too, with a couple of scenic overlooks.

Agreed, the road is great till you get to the Asheville vicinity.