Hwy 19/64 Chattanooga to Ashville

Instrument 41 · 12-07-2018, 04:55 AM

WE are going to Biltmore week after next. Looking at a route and want something scenic and have seen this on the map. Anyone in that area know of this road? AND, I see that the area is getting a bit of sneaux. How would this route be with snow?

KFC911 · 12-07-2018, 05:08 AM

IROC or one of the locals will need to advise you...the day before you leave

. Any route would be epic....

Once a buddy & I left Chatt. heading east....
In tees down below....we made it almost to the top of the mtn.....Cherohala Skyway....ice....just a few hundred yds. of it....slid back down

....long backtrack/reroute.....fun times

Seahawk · 12-07-2018, 05:13 AM

I do...my sister has a house in Brevard and my plant is 45 minutes to the east of Asheville.

I also kayaked a lot of the rivers in that area many moons ago.

The good news is that are many, many roads that are great drives and scenic, especially since the leafs are off the trees.

The bad news would be the weather - make sure there are no road closures, etc. Also, the curves can get tiresome to passengers.

stevej37 · 12-07-2018, 05:33 AM

You didn't mean 19/74 did you?
If so, my sister lives just off 74 near Asheville. I've been on that road a few times...prob have to worry more about ice than snow. It's hilly with a lot of curves.

Pazuzu · 12-07-2018, 05:59 AM

https://goo.gl/maps/YiCtXpzhMi22

Slightly different, but it includes the Tail of the Dragon and a nice drive along the Nantahala Gorge.

Instrument 41 · 12-07-2018, 06:02 AM

It might be 74 instead of 64, I thought I saw where 19 and 64 came together. We live in the "low country" and are looking forward to seeing some mountainous areas. Coming from the south I can go through Atlanta or cut north on 59 out of Birmingham. Would really like to avoid Atlanta. If there are suggestions on scenic routes getting to Ashville, all are welcomed.

Jims5543 · 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

https://goo.gl/maps/YiCtXpzhMi22

Slightly different, but it includes the Tail of the Dragon and a nice drive along the Nantahala Gorge.

This is a fantastic route. I would suggest the same.

If you are not in a hurry I can suggest some side destinations along that route where you can get out and stretch your legs a bit.

Keep an eye on the weather, they are getting a lot of snow in that area early next week.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will most likely be closed in most areas. You will have to stick to the Smokey Mountain Expressway which runs in the valleys.

Edit, along that route is a favorite of mine for lunch.

https://noc.com/places/restaurants/rivers-end-restaurant

Fantastic river view while eating lunch, Great Chili and they have Highlands Brewery Beers on hand. I typically get a stout and chili there.

After lunch you can hit up Bryson City (also has some nice lunch type places and cute downtown) then go find the road to no where, it dead ends at a tunnel you can walk through, the road in is fun and pretty.

The tunnel was used in the filming of the Movie "The Fugative".

https://www.greatsmokies.com/road-nowhere/

I used to have a vacation home in the area, I have wandered all over it.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I don't typically travel the Chattanooga/Asheville route, so I don't have any real input. This weekend is supposed to be officially crappy, though. Parts of western NC is expected to get 10-20" of snow (per my local station). There are not many ways thru the Smokies (for obvious reasons). What makes these routes fun also makes them a nightmare in bad weather. 441 thru the Smokies has been closed this week (Gatlinburg thru Newfound Gap and into NC) and it is a "main" road.

If you have to punt and take "civilized" roads, I-40 between Knoxville and Asheville is actually pretty scenic.

Jims5543 · 12-07-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC

I don't typically travel the Chattanooga/Asheville route, so I don't have any real input. This weekend is supposed to be officially crappy, though. Parts of western NC is expected to get 10-20" of snow (per my local station). There are not many ways thru the Smokies (for obvious reasons). What makes these routes fun also makes them a nightmare in bad weather. 441 thru the Smokies has been closed this week (Gatlinburg thru Newfound Gap and into NC) and it is a "main" road.

If you have to punt and take "civilized" roads, I-40 between Knoxville and Asheville is actually pretty scenic.

Says in OP he is traveling in 2 weeks from now and knowing the weather up there, it can be snowing this weekend and in the 60's 2 weeks from now.

Just looked at 10 days out and not pretty on the 10th day maybe a warm up after that? Who knows? Best to decide a few days out when the weather is certain.

T77911S · 12-07-2018, 09:09 AM

I would take 411 up to 129 and take that down to 28. TAIL OF THE DRAGON is on 129.
take 28 down to 64 then over to Hendersonville. up to ash.

you will NOT be disappointed.

stay off 74, very boring

Otter74 · 12-07-2018, 09:23 AM

I grew up in Atlanta and spent a fair amount of time driving the roads up there until the late 90s, and have done so from time to time since then. I've driven that route between about Chilhowee and Bryson City, and it's terrific. NC 28 past Fontana Lake is also excellent. I took my 911 up there the day after I bought it and it was an excellent get-to-know-you

If coming from Atlanta, I'd take GA400/US19 and continue on 19 up through Dahlonega and Blairsville to Murphy. Going that way you'll past Logan Turnpike Mill, my favorite source for stone-ground grits. From there east, US74 is faster but US64 is probably more interesting. I have also come up through Toccoa and Talulah Falls, but not as often. You can also cut into SC and take 28 through Mountain Rest and Highlands. PS, Cashiers is pronounced "CASHers"

All that said, it's all highly dependent on winter weather, and there can be a lot of snow up there. If the weather is bad, just take I-40 and as someone else said it's actually pretty nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

https://goo.gl/maps/YiCtXpzhMi22

Slightly different, but it includes the Tail of the Dragon and a nice drive along the Nantahala Gorge.

Instrument 41 · 12-07-2018, 11:52 AM

Guys thanks for the input. As a side note, I live in Louisiana, not experienced in driving on the white stuff and I won't be driving the toy, but in the wife's 4 door Lexus. Thanks for the comments.

KFC911 · 12-07-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

Guys thanks for the input. As a side note, I live in Louisiana, not experienced in driving on the white stuff ....

Then don't.....seriously

. Ice is scary...if you're not on a time table, watch the weather and just head out on a nice route. Stick to I-40 if the weather is iffy ...it's not bad. We were absolutely shocked the time we hit ice up top....no hint of it down below....have fun exploring the mtns...

T77911S · 12-10-2018, 02:52 AM

these roads are VERY twisty. just up there a few weeks ago. my brothers wife got sick. (motion).

flatbutt · 12-10-2018, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Then don't.....seriously

. Ice is scary...if you're not on a time table, watch the weather and just head out on a nice route. Stick to I-40 if the weather is iffy ...it's not bad. We were absolutely shocked the time we hit ice up top....no hint of it down below....have fun exploring the mtns...

+ 1 billion!!

cairns · 12-10-2018, 08:29 AM

You do not want to do the Tail of the Dragon in the Winter in a 4 door Lexus. I 40 and get there safe.

Otter74 · 12-10-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cairns

You do not want to do the Tail of the Dragon in the Winter in a 4 door Lexus. I 40 and get there safe.

Sometimes whatever you've got is good enough

I did it for the first time in my I4/5AT 2003 Accord just before New Year's because I had time, was there, and I wanted to drive it. Fun is about attitude!

cairns · 12-10-2018, 11:23 AM

I agree but this guy has no ice experience and he's trying to get somewhere......the Tail is awesome but wouldn't recommend this trip at this time.