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Flametheus6 · 02-10-2008, 07:40 AM

We are planning a trip from Augusta (GA) to Lexington in APR for a horse show...or something to do with horses according to my wife. I read some negative stories about the part of I-40 between Ashville and Knoxville. Anyone have recent realtime experience with this or advice.

Thanks

Flametheus6 · 02-10-2008, 07:40 AM

We are planning a trip from Augusta (GA) to Lexington in APR for a horse show...or something to do with horses according to my wife. I read some negative stories about the part of I-40 between Ashville and Knoxville. Anyone have recent realtime experience with this or advice.

Thanks

GaryKD · 02-10-2008, 10:24 AM

I traveled this route several times in 07. The quality of the road is fine. Going up/down and left/right all at the same time does tend to wear on the driver. This is coming from someone that lives in very flat South Florida.

maverik/gypsy · 02-10-2008, 12:16 PM

Flame, Stroll down to the "YA Gotta Go There..." forum and look under recent PA discussion. There are two discussions on this route---one by an experienced IVR2 member. His response to the same question I asked convinced me to reroute my trip. Might be of help especially if safety and time is a concern with your horses.

Sincerely, maverik (bob)

paz · 02-11-2008, 03:39 AM

We just came that route in Oct., 2007, and I don't recall any particular reason to avoid that section of road. Sure, it's got some climbs, descents, and some turns; but I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid it. I record our travel distances and approximate travel times, and our travel time for the leg going across the Smokies wasn't out of line with what we usually average. We're traveling in a 37' gasser with 4,000 lb toad. I don't know, maybe I just got used to mountains since we crossed the Rockies a few months before that. Now that was a climb!

Letsgoagain · 02-11-2008, 04:02 PM

Flametheus6,
I last traveled that route in November of 07. At the time I was in our Jeep Liberty. There is a section that basically goes through the mountains that is pretty constant curves back and forth and some inclines but remember this is an interstate. I think the section is only about 30 miles or so. If I remember correctly the posted speed limit drops to 55 or maybe 60 and trucks are instructed to stay in the right lane so as not to impede the faster passenger cars.
Three years ago we had a fifth wheel of similiar size and a F350 diesel dually pulling it. I did get down to 45 I think on one grade but it was for a very short amount of time.
I wouldn't hesitate to drive it again unless there was wintry weather forcast.
Letsgoagain

WA4SLC · 02-12-2008, 05:04 AM

I live in Eastern North Carolina and in the past did a little hot shot trucking for a cousin of mine. He sent me to Knoxville with a load in a 14 ft. cargo trailer puled with a F250 Ford. They routed me up I 40 all the way. I could not run in the left lane with the cars so I ran in the right lane with the big trucks. They held me up so bad that it made the trip much longer. I also ran loads up to Kingsport TN.. I turned north at Winston Salem NC and went up through Fancy Gap VA. to I-81. That is a much eaiser way through the mountains, and is only 26 miles futher to Knoxville. I have pulled my 33 Ft. TT that weighs 10,000 lbs. up through there with my 2500 Dodge runing 65 all the way. That is the only way I will go west from where I live now. It looks like you can hit I-77 and head up that way and make your trip through the mountains much easier. I do not know how much futher it will be for you, but take a look at that route and see if it will work for you.
I hope this helps.

Bill

full-timer · 02-14-2008, 05:36 AM

The road is alright its the semi's that will get you. A heavily traveled truck route.

Joe

diesellabs · 02-20-2008, 05:19 AM

I would recommend the I-77 to I-81 route. I wss on the section of I-40 you reference in Dec. 07 and while it was OK, the semi's behind me were quite frustrated that I was doing the speed limit. When traffic permitted, I pulled into the left lane and let them speed by on the right.

I'd guess the total mileage wouldn't be too far off, even considering your jog over to Columbia to pick up I-77...