Community Forums

gauto5150 · 03-20-2012, 06:09 AM

Hello and happy Tuesday!
Friday afternoon we are taking another trip to the Disney campground. Typically we take I65 and I75 down to Florida.
I was thinking about taking I40 East from I75 to I26 and following the coastline to down I95.
Is this route class A friendly? I have a 39 ft diesel pusher. It looks like a nice route but I don't want to take it if I'm going to put the coach through more of a beating. Most of all, I don't want to make the trip any more risky than it has to be (steep grades, excessive traffic, etc.)
Has anyone gone this route? Are the grades extra steep in the mountain areas? My coach handles the hills and grades well and I love the scenery when traveling through the mountain areas. I love the slow right lane and follow the other trucks with the hazards on.
Any one take this route?

JMonroe · 03-20-2012, 06:46 AM

We use that route all the time. You'l have no problems. The I40 section that crosses the Tennessee / North Carolina border has some steeper slopes, but nothing you won't be able to handle and its quite beautiful.

Travel safe...

GaryKD · 03-20-2012, 08:46 AM

Hi gauto5150,
I take I40 over the Smoky's a couple of time a year. The slow lane is where you'll be with all the trucks. There are many trucks. The route requires them to be in the right lane most of the way over the mountains. It's like seeing baby ducks behind mama duck. Listen on the CB. You'll enjoy them harassing the lead (slowest) truck.

Do not go over the mountains before 10 AM. That part of I40 is subject to morning fog.

If you have the time, stop in the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg area. There are many show to attend and other attractions for the kids.

catonine · 03-20-2012, 03:30 PM

You should not have any problems. But like was already stated, there are some grades that you will need to deal with as wwell as high probability of fog in early hours and sometimes at night. There are some sections of I-95 thru South Carolina that are kinda rough. Traffic on I-95 can get pretty heavy, especially around major areas like cities etc.. Overall IMHO the route is rated about average overall.

gauto5150 · 03-20-2012, 08:42 PM

Wow, thanks everyone for the advice. Taking this route only adds (according to Google Maps) another 45 minutes or so to the trip. But it'll be worth it to me.
And now I can avoid Atlanta which is more than enough reason....

gauto5150 · 03-27-2012, 04:06 PM

This route was great. Not so much steep grades as there were twisting turns. I liked it.
The tunnels seemed a bit small to me but that could have been because of the lighting.
And without the Atlanta jam, I'd say it took less time since I was crawling in 15 mph traffic for an hour.
Nice straight runs down 95 too.