Drive from Asheville to Chattanooga? (Hickory, Murphy: how much, home, school)
Western North CarolinaThe Mountain Region including Asheville
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We are coming from Hickory so will be on I-40 to start. Google Maps gives us 3 options...
I am considering going via Murphy the more scenic route on the way there. How much longer should I expect the drive to take from Asheville towards Murphy or is most of it 4 lanes to Chattanooga??
We haven't been farther than Bryson City/Fontana Dam area and that was 4 yrs ago!
We plan to go in 2 wknds and drive up Friday morning returning Sunday after brunch time.
I would think GOOG maps sort of answered your questions, time/mileage-wise, but I have done the Rt 64/40 to Chat, and it may be another 20-30 mins longer than the 'long' way around via 40 to Knoxville.
It is a tight, twisty road in spots and sort of 'view less', but nice mtn/forest driving.
The kind of car you have has a bearing in the consideration, imo; we did it in our Vette and not sure a lesser handling car would be as fun. That is a long run for a shortish weekend, but have fun. Chattanooga is a nice town, the aquarium is well done, etc.
GL, mD
Not sure if we are taking the minivan or the full size sedan! Of course I think my minivan is a sports car!
The google map makes it look like it is faster to go thru the mtns and even though distance is less I am very familiar with mountain driving since I went to school at Western Carolina and know that miles in the mountains take 2x as long!! So I just wasn't sure how much was was 2 lane twisty mtn roads!
We regularly drive to Virginia for football games which is 5+ hrs with little kiddos several weekends a year so the 5 hr drive to Chattanooga is nothing especially with an extra day off. We are road trip warriors!
The operative thing is the days and times for the drive. If you are leaving Hickory Friday morning ( what time? 6AM, 8AM 10AM? ), then this effects when you will be driving through the congested 2 lane parts. You for sure *do not* want to get stuck behind a flatlander driving a huge RV through there.
I would not try to come back that way on a Sunday afternoon.
We probably wouldn't leave Hickory til 9am at the earliest for taking the "scenic" route and would definitely take the Interstate route thru Knoxville on the way home Sunday. I know it can get tight thru the mtns on I 40 but should be tolerable. I expect we would leave Chattanooga after lunch maybe 1ish but we won't be rushed to get home.
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