Community Forums

tim myers · 02-17-2020, 08:02 AM

We are planning to attend the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain NC this coming July. Routing looks like interstate 81 to TN 91 South then picking up 421 at Mountain City TN which takes us to Boone, NC.

My highway book is in the Motor Home which is in storage for the winter.

Does anyone have experience with these routes? All of it looks to be 2 lane but not sure of the terrain I will encounter.

RickNC · 02-18-2020, 09:40 AM

I went that way back in October. I was coming from Boone. 421 isn’t a problem to Mountain City. one long grade probably not more than 6%. Mountain City to I-81 you have some mountain driving to do. A couple short steeper grades and a few sharp curves. I have a small motorhome,so if you have something larger your experience might vary. I did pass a 18 wheeler going the opposite way

claytondl · 02-21-2020, 03:50 PM

I use to have a cabin on Beech Mountain and would go to the Highland Games. Look at taking. I-81 to I-181 to US -321 to US-19E and finally NC181 from Newland right into Grandfather Mountain.

tim myers · 02-22-2020, 06:29 AM

I am having trouble following your route, I see everything but I-181

claytondl · 02-23-2020, 06:55 AM

Sorry misread my map I-81 to I-26 to 321

RickNC · 02-23-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytondl

Sorry misread my map I-81 to I-26 to 321

Good route if wanting to stay on the interstates. I have family in Hunter. When I used to come down from NY on I-81 I would get off at Blount City then join up the US11e and US 19 4 lane to Elizabethton and then on towards Newlands and Grandfather mtn. Shorter route and I didn’t, encounter as much local traffic going through Johnson City and Elizabethton.
Won’t make much difference time wise going Elizabethton to Grandfather MTN as opposed to RT91 and US 421. But If going to Boone first I would still make 91 and 421 my first choice when coming from the north. Again that depends on what you are driving and your comfort level with mountain driving