I-40 or Hwy 70

**hjbourge** · 06-20-2014, 11:23 AM

Has anyone taken their TM from Asheville, NC over to Tenn. through the Great Smoky Mountains? Looking at google maps it looks like you can take either Interstate 40 or Highway 70, so which is the better road to pull a TM on?

tentcamper · 06-20-2014, 12:06 PM

I think it depends. I-40 is a 4 lane interstate where 70 is a 2 lane road with almost no shoulder in many spots. 70 will be more difficult with greater inclines, slower, go's through many small towns, but its a more scenic road.

hillbillyhotel · 06-20-2014, 03:29 PM

hal
this is my neck of woods , from Ashville to tenn. is I-26 east into tenn from Ashville to top of mountain(state line) is 36 miles and then about 40 into Johnson city, or abour 45 miles over to I-81,
but it depends on where you are going after you leave n.c. if you are going north or west of Knoxville, I-40 e down the river gorge into k-town.
hope this is some help, I have never run 70 , just don't have the patience for that pace

**hjbourge** · 06-20-2014, 08:29 PM

Art, thanks for the information. We are headed to Pigeon Forge so it looks like I-40 will be the way for me to go, I love scenic roads but the wife would have her nose in a book and sitting on the edge of the seat all the way which then would make me nervous and don't need to get any other drivers mad behind me.

**hjbourge** · 06-20-2014, 08:55 PM

Randy,
Thanks for the information, we are headed over to Pigeon Forge on Monday, going to camp at Up the Creek for a week, looks like I'll take I-40 over there. The better half likes wide roads going over mountains. Drove her crazy when we went cross country out to LA and back on RT 66. One town I think it was Oatman, AZ at the end of town there is a sign "no vehicle or 40 feet allowed", well I didn't know how long I was till I got home an measure out 39 feet, the wife just about went crazy on that road till we got off.

06-21-2014, 05:59 AM

Spent almost a week over the Memorial Day holiday in Sevierville (just outside Pigeon Forge) and enjoyed it. Lots of stuff to do.

One concern that I had about the I-40 route to Asheville is the lack of filling stations along the way. You might want to start with a full tank going either way - especially if you have a favorite brand of gas.

A couple of long steep grades along the way but starting the grades with high revs helps a lot.

**hjbourge** · 06-21-2014, 07:00 AM

Thanks Jim,
I'll be sure to leave Hickory with a full tank and remember the high revs. I's been years since we went to Pigeon Forge. Looking for a great time, our neighbors told us about the campground Up the Creek so that is where we'll make home base for a week.