I think the best route is I-40 to 74 to Dillsboro then 441 to Franklin. We travel in that area every year. By all means eat at the Dillard House in Dillard Ga. There is no menu, they serve family style. Usually 4-6 meats, 6-8 veggies ,etc., etc. Wonderful food. Karen
Larry,
I get off I-75 at the Rocky Face Exit 336 at Dalton (1st Dalton Exit) and run Hwy 76 until I reach Hiwassee then jump over to Hwy 64 at Hayesville. Sometimes if I need to go directly to Highlands instead of Franklin, I just stay on 76 until I get to 441 in Clayton. This route puts me thru Chatsworth (roads are a bit narrow thru old part of town), Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Young Harris. The road is 4 lane once you hit Ellijay. I have cell phone reception until I hit winding stair gap just east of Franklin. Usually just me, the kids and the critters when I travel. Takes me 4.5 hours from my driveway in Whitwell to the cabin in Franklin.
My husband simply runs 64 thru the gorge. I have no cell phone reception in the Gorge.
Lorna
1974 Apache Roamer Solid State Pop-Up www.freewebs.com/schinskeapache
1972 Eagle 05 Bus Conversion (Self Conversion) www.freewebs.com/aluminumasylum
"The goal of life is living in agreement with Nature" Zeno (335BC-264BC)
Thanks again to everyone for your continued comments.
Handbasket: We may take you ideas of driving the toad separate. Hubby is a very careful driver, but I wouldn't mind driving the toad through the gorge to be on the safe side. Since you live in Asheville, can you recommend a good campground.
I think this is maybe our plan (but we are very flexible). Coming from TN into NC through gorge. Probably will stop at Biltmore for a day (probably will stay one night near Biltmore). Then next night or two of camping would be somewhere near Highlands and Cashiers. We can park at the campground and then take the toad on sightseeing trips for a couple of days.
Next stop will be when we get to Fancy Gap (FoxTrail Campground) where we will stay for a couple of days to visit Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy.
Not to be difficult but we took the same trip with friends and stayed in the Lake Toxaway Outdoor Resorts off 64, it was a beautiful drive just take your time. We can't wait to come back. The Lake Toxaway resort is one of the most beautiful in the country and also one of the nicest upscale CG's around.
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
Woodall, unfortunately, I can't recommend a local campground. I don't camp around here... Know how that goes??? 'Bout all I could do is pick names outta the Yellow Pages.
(On edit: see the thread currently running in the 'Campgrounds & Resorts' titled 'Asheville, NC.' Looks like there are several good recommendation there.)
Jim, "But other than that, Mrs. Hitler, how was your honeymoon?"
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'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
I have pulled my 5th wheel thru "the gorge" several times! As was said a couple of times, I stay in the right lane, drive the speed limit, pay very close attention to what is going on around me, and so far I haven't had any problems. On the other hand, I have never driven a Motor Home with or with out a toad, so I can't comment on what that would be like.
Other than the lane closures, caused by land slides that happen every few years, I think "the gorge" gets a bad rap! Mostly caused by drivers that don't obey the speed limit signs on that strech of road. It really is pretty thru there! JMHO!
I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip!
2001 White Dodge 2500 QC SLT, 4x2, SB, CTD, Auto w/3.54 LS Diff
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