I-40 and North Carolina

• Asheville
• Marion
• Hickory
• Statesville
• Clemmons
• Winston-Salem
• High Point
• Greensboro
• Burlington
• Hillsborough
• Chapel Hill
• Durham
• Research Triangle Park
• Raleigh
• Smithfield
• Dunn
• Wilmington
• Wrightsville Beach

TN-NC Border - Asheville

I-40 enters North Carolina via the Pigeon River Gorge. The right-of-way in the Gorge is flanked on one side by steep cliffs, mostly man-made when they blasted away enough rock to create the Interstate, and the Pigeon river gorge on the other side. The many curves are abrupt and dangerous. The big trucks, subject of frequent, severe accidents mostly due to speeding, are confined (at least by law) to the right lane. The cars in the left lane can also be intimidating – most insist on speeding. If you wish to keep to the speed limit (strongly advised) and move into the right lane between two of the trucks, you will find yourself going well below the speed limit because the vehicles in the right lane can’t move any faster than the slowest truck.
  In the daytime, when the traffic is light, (rare now-a-days) this is a beautiful drive. At night, and when the traffic is heavy, it can be almost terrifying – especially for your passengers. The North Carolina Highway Patrol has recognized the extreme danger to people traveling this route and, on occasion, brings in extra patrols for speed-limit and 'aggressive driver' enforcement campaigns. They do not have enough personnel to maintain this effort on a full-time basis; North Carolina, like the rest of the States, is broke.
  There are three alternative routes to reach Asheville from Knoxville without incurring significant detours. Note – the following directions are for EASTBOUND travelers.

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1. US-25
  This is the most time consuming (very low speed limits due to sharp carves, etc.) but a scenic route well worth the investment in time - especially during the Autumn leaf-looking season.
  Take exit 432 (US-25 – Newport) and follow US-25 through Newport TN, Hot Springs NC, Marshall NC to the US-19/23 freeway. Follow the freeway, south, to I-240 in Asheville. Follow I-240 east to its terminus with I-40 on the east side of Asheville.
  US-25 follows the French Broad River and is lightly traveled and rarely used by big trucks. It has some very sharp curves, but, at the recommended reduced speeds (20 to 35 mph), these are not threatening.

2. I-81, US-11-E & US-23 (now extended I-26)
  Of the three alternate routes, this is our preference. 

• At exit 421 of I-40, take the left lane exit onto I-81. 
• Then take I-81 exit 23 onto US-11-E toward Greeneville.
• Follow US-11-E through Greeneville (mostly 4-lane divided road) to the intersection of TN-107.
• Turn right on 107; follow it all the way to the US-19/23 freeway at Erwin.
• Turn right (southbound) onto the freeway (which is now the north extension of I-26) and follow it into North Carolina and to I-240 in Asheville.
• Follow I-240 east to its terminus with I-40 on the east side of Asheville. 

3. I-26
This is a longer detour than the above two but is totally by Interstate highways. It is not only the safest but cam be the fastest!

• At exit 421 of I-40, take the left lane exit onto I-81. 
• Then take I-81 exit 57 onto I-181 (will shortly be re-signed as I-26) heading south toward Johnson City. 
• Continue on, through Johnson City and on, into North Carolina and to I-240 in Asheville.
  • If you intend to continue east (through Asheville), follow I-240 east to its terminus with I-40 on the east side of Asheville.
  • If your destination is somewhere WEST of Asheville, follow I-26/I-240 to the I-40 exchange and continue west on I-40 to your destination.
  • If your destination is Asheville...you're there!

NOTE: In an effort to make I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge a little less dangerous, the NC Dept of Transportation is currently rebuilding much of it. Expect one-lane traffic and extended delays. The construction is expected to be completed late 2005.

We strongly recommend detour #3, above.

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