Traveling from Ashville to a small town called Todd and then up to Roanoke. This takes us up hwy 221 out of Ashville which looks like it is a bit curvy. Has anyone taken this route? I am driving a 36 footer with toad. Thanks for the help.
Traveled on 221 near West Jefferson...northern end...and it was VERY curvy and narrow. 221 off of 421 going TO West Jefferson is not bad, but the other end was! We wouldn't pull a camper that way! That is, unless there was not another route. If you do, just watch for traffic coming toward you and hang on!!!
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I would be more worried about Hwy 194.. comming from either Boone or West Jefferson it is pretty narrow as I recall. Are you taking the coach all the way to Todd or parking and taking the toad? I would be tempted to take the BRP to 321/221 to Boone. But someone that has been there in the coach needs to tell you. I have been there numerous times in the toad.
On another note, keep these two items in mind. 1)Go to the general store in Todd and hear some good pickin' on Friday nights, and storytellin' on Tuesdays. It used to be a local event, but now there is a traffic jam up there.
2) Shatley Springs on Hwy 16 north of Jefferson about 4 or 5 miles south of the NC/VA state line. They have an awesome family sytle dinner that you will not believe! One of the oldest of this type still in operation.
Have fun!
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Thanks "Campgrandma"...I think I'll take your advice and just find another route.
Thanks Chuck...We were going to take the coach and toad all the way up to Penn via Todd...our good friends from Phoenix, her mom and Dad used to own the general store at Todd...they are in town this week visiting and we thought we would stop and see them...The more I look at 221 the more I just don't think I want to venture up that way...we just did a road in California, Stewart Point from Healdsburg over to the coast and almost wore out the steering wheel...that was enought for me...
Hwy 221 is not that bad. It is my 'route of choice' when I go up to the Linville, NC area. There is a 5 mile stretch that is a bit curvy and you'll do well to go 35-45 MPH through there. The rest is fine. It is 2 lane but is decent 2 lane.
From Todd, depending on your preferences, consider back tracking slightly to/towards Boone, NC and take Hwy 421 east over to I-77. Hwy 421 is 4 lane divided highway and is excellent. Very smooth, gentle rolling road. You are about one hour from Boone to I-77 and it is a very comfortable drive.
Your next alternative is Hwy 181 out of Morganton and that is excellent road but a long, long pull uphill all the way before you connect with Hwy 105 on to Boone, NC.
You definitely do not want any part of Hwy 321 north of I-40 (Hickory). It is under a long term widening project and it is a mess. 2 lanes and closed part of every Tuesday and Thursday for blasting, etc. It is not sched'd for completion for another 5 years or so. However it too would be a long pull uphill all the way.
The 5 mile stretch (I've measured it to be certain) on Hwy 221 is not impossible and you will be going slow anyway. That is the only "tight" stretch. The rest is either flat or very moderate inclines. You'll be fine.
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