Best Route From Natural Bridge to Asheville

[Nutmeg]

Looking for the best route to take a gas Class A from Natural Bridge to Asheville. Is it better to take 220 and avoid the downgrade at Fancy Gap on I-77? Or is there a better route than those two? Thanks

[BFlinn181]

Are you talking about Natural Bridge, VA or Natural Bridge State Park, KY?

An interstate highway is usually designed without very steep grades. I-77 in that area has a 6.2-mile grade with a 1300 ft. elevation change, which varies from 3.5% to almost 5%. These aren't that much, in Wyoming I've driven my RV on grades as steep at 10%. Take your time and use a lower gear instead of brakes to control speed. Fog is a bigger threat to driving safety on I-77, pay attention to weather conditions.

[Nutmeg]

Natural Bridge, VA - I am sure it does not compare to the grades out west but google showed the two routes and local knowledge/actual experience always trumps a computer program.

[BFlinn181]

The I-81 I-26 route is shorter in time and miles and misses major towns and cities. The route using highway 220 passes through Roanoke and Winston-Salem. To me, it's no comparison. I've driven I-81 and I-26, also I-40. It wouldn't be worth the extra time and miles just to avoid the Fancy Gap grade. JMHO

[Nutmeg]

Does I 26 have less grade and a better route to go than I-77?