Rt 52 construction (Raleigh, Asheville, Boone: best, maps, work)

[Seawrenity]

Hi, we will be traveling from the coast thru Raleigh to Sevierviile, Tn on Tuesday. Rather than going I40 all the way, we thought we'd try I77 to I81 for a change. Both mapquest and google maps say to take rt 52 off I40 to connect with I77. DOT says there's "major" road construction on rt 52 between exit 120 and 122. Does anyone know how long a delay this may cause us? Or if there is a better alternative rte? This is about halfway on a ten hour trip that day and would like to avoid unnecessary traffic.
Thanks for any help.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Seawrenity

will be traveling from the coast thru Raleigh to Sevierviile, Tn on Tuesday.
Rather than going I40 all the way...

Allow an extra day and go up to the Parkway for the trip.

...maps say to take rt 52 off I40 to connect with I77 (past Mt Airy)
DOT says there's "major" road construction on rt 52 (at Winston)

Don't come through at rush hour... but don't sweat it.

[silverwing]

52. *blech* That can be a nasty route even on the best days.

Keep going on I-40 and hop onto 421 westbound. Might want to take a good look on mapquest or google maps. That can be a snarly area. 421 is four lanes (speed limit is 60 or 65?), very easy once past W-S, and will take you right to I-77. Or, you can get off 421 at Yadkinville and take 601 to 74 to I-77. 601 is two lanes and scenic.

OR, you can continue on 421 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and go south from there, as excellently suggested.

I-77 to I-81 is OK, but doesn't really add much fun to the trip. You have the 7 or 8 mile stretch going north on I-77 from NC into VA that can be treacherous if the wind is blowing high (there are warnings to that effect) and then a lot of truck traffic on I-81 going south.

The Blue Ridge Parkway route from Boone south is the best (IMO). You begin to see some dramatic scenery heading through that part. Just remember that the speed limit is 45 (35 around the Moses Cone and Linville areas)

[Seawrenity]

Thank you both, MrRational and Silverwing. I don't have an extra day to do the parkway. I 'll take a look at 421 or just go the old I40 route thru Asheville.

[arbyunc]

The US 52 construction is really not a problem. Most of the work is off the highway and two lanes remain open in each direction. As Mr. Rational said, avoid rush hour (which is more like rush 30 minutes around here), but otherwise you should experience no delays at all.

[RoadTraveler]

Originally Posted by arbyunc

The US 52 construction is really not a problem. Most of the work is off the highway and two lanes remain open in each direction. As Mr. Rational said, avoid rush hour (which is more like rush 30 minutes around here), but otherwise you should experience no delays at all.

I agree.

Much better route taking 52, I-77 and I-81 rather than going through the gorge on I-40.

Less speed limit reductions too.