I am coming up from Savannah in a few weeks to visit Asheville.
Can anyone give me some tips for a good mountain drive?
or anywhere I can take a detour on the drive up

thanks

 

Just dirve west for an hour and 45 mins to the Dragon. You have the blue ridge parkway and driving north to Hickory some nice road up there.

-Jim

 

definilty take some time and check out the Dragon.

If thats too far then go Downtown and take Town Mountain Road all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will be a fun little loop which will eventually take you back to I40.

 

Here is one of my favorite loops. You could start at Waynesville, then drive it clockwise. When you get to the Blue Ridge Parkway the second time (on US-276) you can descend back to Waynesville or go north on the Parkway about 8 miles, then take NC-151 bqck doen to I-40 just west of Asheville. There are so many good roads it is hard to not have a good drive!

Edit: Just saw your question about a detour. If you take the Exit 5 on I-26 for SC-11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway - near Campobello, SC) then go west on SC-11 unitl it merges with US-276. The at the signs for Caesar's Head State Park, bear right and stay on US-276. You are then on the loop below at it's lower right corner. Just stay on US-276 and go all the way to Canton, NC, then take US-74/I-40 back into Asheville. You will pass through some incredible scenery, so allow time to stop and enjoy it.

 

thanks I didn't realise the dragon was soo close! gonna take an extra day and do a run up there I think