Charlotte to Asheville...Best Route?

[Woodcookedbbq]

I'll be attending the Panthers/Titans game in November, then I'll be driving to Asheville after the game. What's the best route to take?

Mapquest gives me 2 possible routes. US 74 to I-26 or US 321 to I-40. Both are about the same distance and time.

[GritsRgreat]

From Rock Hill i go 77, 85, 26, for my weekly runs.

[dimbee]

321/I40 will be the most scenic route, IMO

[Woodcookedbbq]

I'm looking for the quickest route. If US 74 is 4 lane and freeway the entire way to I-26, that would put me closer to my destination.

[hepcat]

Done that drive many a time. Done several different ways. Best route is 85 to 321 to 40. 74 goes through some towns and slows you down. 26 is a disaster.

[Woodcookedbbq]

Done that drive many a time. Done several different ways. Best route is 85 to 321 to 40. 74 goes through some towns and slows you down. 26 is a disaster.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks for the help!

[Zcustom]

Done that drive many a time. Done several different ways. Best route is 85 to 321 to 40. 74 goes through some towns and slows you down. 26 is a disaster.

Several times I've made this trip with multiple cars and I'm the only one who goes 74 to 26. I get there first every time.

The slow down thing on 74 is overblown, there's like 3 stoplights total, the rest is highway.

So basically OP it's 6 one way, half a dozen the other.

[hepcat]

Several times I've made this trip with multiple cars and I'm the only one who goes 74 to 26. I get there first every time.

The slow down thing on 74 is overblown, there's like 3 stoplights total, the rest is highway.

So basically OP it's 6 one way, half a dozen the other.

If they've finished the construction on 26 since I moved away, it could be better. But once you got close to Asheville, it'd neck down to 1 lane in spots and just back up.

[NCstoner420]

Unless you plan on visiting Hendersonville take I40, like the other posters have said I26 is a mess.

[mush]

85 to exit 10B, take that to 26, then 26 to I40

[Anybodyhome]

Lived in Asheville from 1998-2000 and tried both ways, but always thought the I40/321 route was the best and quickest.

[Shufdog]

Done that drive many a time. Done several different ways. Best route is 85 to 321 to 40. 74 goes through some towns and slows you down. 26 is a disaster.

74 goes through one town, Shelby. It's four lane divided hwy all the way with about five or six stop lights. If you hit it right you never stop.

[Crixtala]

Several times I've made this trip with multiple cars and I'm the only one who goes 74 to 26. I get there first every time.

The slow down thing on 74 is overblown, there's like 3 stoplights total, the rest is highway.

So basically OP it's 6 one way, half a dozen the other.

this

85 > 74 > 26. the stops in shelby don't really slow you down, just try not to catch AIDs while you're rolling through

i've done the same thing (several cars heading, i'm the only one to take 74) and i always get there first... and this is always at the speed limit to five miles over. plus, it's the only way to see the buffalo :D

imo, unless you live in lincolnton, hickory or somewhere in between (god bless your souls), there's no reason to go 321 > 40. hell, if i lived in lincolnton, i'd probably still backtrack to 85 and go 74

If they've finished the construction on 26 since I moved away, it could be better. But once you got close to Asheville, it'd neck down to 1 lane in spots and just back up.

if you're talking about the construction on 26 at the biltmore mall (i think that's what it's called) after passing the airport (heading into town) where they were working on the bridges forever, this is completed.

[NCstoner420]

this

85 > 74 > 26. the stops in shelby don't really slow you down, just try not to catch AIDs while you're rolling through

i've done the same thing (several cars heading, i'm the only one to take 74) and i always get there first... and this is always at the speed limit to five miles over. plus, it's the only way to see the buffalo :D

imo, unless you live in lincolnton, hickory or somewhere in between (god bless your souls), there's no reason to go 321 > 40. hell, if i lived in lincolnton, i'd probably still backtrack to 85 and go 74

if you're talking about the construction on 26 at the biltmore mall (i think that's what it's called) after passing the airport (heading into town) where they were working on the bridges forever, this is completed.

Nope, still doing bridge construction and they have parts of 26 closed off completely.

http://www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/

Take 40 and enjoy the ride