Handbasket
Asheville, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/17/2003
View Profile
|
From the AM local TV news, yet another rockslide has closed I-40 westbound near the NC/TN line. This one is in TN. Reports are that the slide has been cleared, but at least one house-sized boulder is overhanging the roadway. TNDOT is reporting the closure will last about 2 weeks.
The closure starts at NC Exit 20. But the detour is to take I-240W from the east side of Asheville (exit 53, IIRC) to 'future' I-26W to I-81S to rejoin I-40. This adds about 1 1/2 hours to a westbound trip, IIRC. There's a pretty long climb on I-26 in NC, and a steep, curvy descent in TN. Expect lots or traffic on I-240 thru Asheville and around Johnson City, TN.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
* This post was
edited 02/05/12 04:38am by Handbasket *
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
|
byrdr1
Elon, NC / Central Piedmont
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Handbasket, here is the official report from the NCDOT website.
"ALL LANES CLOSED ON I-40 WESTBOUND, NEAR MILE MARKER 20, WEST OF ASHEVILLE, IN HAYWOOD COUNTY.
Due to a rock slide in Tennessee near Exit 451, I-40 West is closed near US 276, Exit 20, West of Asheville, in Haywood County. The road is expected to remain closed for the next few weeks.
Motorists are advised to use caution in the area, stay alert, and are being advised to use the following detour:
Traffic traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West (Exit 53b) in Asheville, to I-26 West (Exit 4a). Follow I-26 West from Asheville to I-81 South (Exit 8a) in Tennessee, back to I-40.
East bound traffic is currently unaffected by this rock slide."
This is why I use, I-77 north to Wytheville, VA and then I-81 south back down to Knoxville, Tn. Miss the gorge & curves on I-40 either way.
randy
Go Mark Martin?
2003 F-350 SRW CC/LWB 4X4 7.3PSD
2011 Keystone Cougar 327RES
My Webshots Pages
Happy Campin'
Randy
Elon, NC-Piedmont area
|
skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
Wow, that's getting to be an almost annual occurrence. It was in NC last time though, was it not?
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
|
rv2go
Fulltime (Knoxville, TN).... or someplace else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/26/2000
View Profile
|
Big ole rock that's barely hanging there.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
Travel Photos
|
mikeintn
Lenoir City TN
Senior Member
Joined: 01/04/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
byrdr1 wrote:This is why I use, I-77 north to Wytheville, VA and then I-81 south back down to Knoxville, Tn. Miss the gorge & curves on I-40 either way.
randy
How much better is this as far as hills go, than I40/I26 to Charlotte? We are going over in May and I really dislike going over the mountain. Does it add much time?
Mike, Cindy, Chris and Spunky the Cocker Spaniel
1998 32 ft Tiffin Allegro
Ford F53 with 460 V8
Onan 5500 Watt Generator
Master Tow 80THD tow dolly
2009 Mini Cooper S Toad
|
|
|
afob3
Maryville, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 04/17/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/203301/2........de-shuts-down-I-40-westbound-in-Cocke-Co
2012 Koala 25DS
2011 F150 Ecoboost SuperCrew with Max Tow Package
www.familyobrien.net
|
byrdr1
Elon, NC / Central Piedmont
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
mikeintn wrote:byrdr1 wrote:This is why I use, I-77 north to Wytheville, VA and then I-81 south back down to Knoxville, Tn. Miss the gorge & curves on I-40 either way.
randy
How much better is this as far as hills go, than I40/I26 to Charlotte? We are going over in May and I really dislike going over the mountain. Does it add much time?
Mikeintn,
I live between Greensboro and Raleigh, NC, I-40/I-85 are both running by me. I get on I-40W and follow it to Winston Salem, take US52 north to the new I-73/76 at Mt. Airy. Follow it over to I-77N. I go up Fancy Gap mountain in VA, this pull is a better than I-40 at Black Mountain, NC. Once you top the hill you are on the ridge as it is called. I follow I-77N across to I-81 south at Wytheville, VA then go straight down on the ridge again till I get to Knoxville(piegeonforge area). I have marked it three times and best I can tell its maybe 8-12 miles difference in travel and maybe 15-20 minutes longer in travel time. BUT the ease of driving is worth it to me. I have a friend who drives a tour bus part-time this is the only way he goes to Gatlinburg or Knoxville area. He states the pull is easier on the bus and easier on him to drive this route. I have pulled the Fancy Gap hill with a pop up, two different TT's and my 5th wheel. The first trip after we got the 5er was to Fancy Gap, VA KOA. it pulled fine 60MPH was my speed up it. After going to the Pigeon-Forge, TN area several years this has been the best route for me and my family. Ease of driving means a lot to me. Plus lots of places to pullover if need be. Unlike the gorge....on I-40..
Dont know if this way would be better if coming from Charlotte or going to it? but if you are east of Winston Salem it is by far the best route.
randy
|
mikeintn
Lenoir City TN
Senior Member
Joined: 01/04/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Thanks Randy, I might have to check into this more. according to google maps it really isn't that much farther.
|
mikeintn
Lenoir City TN
Senior Member
Joined: 01/04/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Hello neighbor 
|
Handbasket
Asheville, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/17/2003
View Profile
|
The I-77 grade at the VA/NC line is not that much different/better than Saluda Grade on I-26 at the NC/SC line. Both, IIRC, are about 4 miles of 5-6% and fairly straight. Either is pretty much going up/down the Eastern Continental Divide, and is better than Old Fort Grade on I-40.
Jim, "All true wisdom can be found on T-shirts."
|
|
|
