San Diego CA to Asheville NC

[gm4106]

Planning at trip to Asheville NC from San Diego CA. The middle of June. Driven a 4106 with auto with no jake. I have seen some post about mountains and hills. What would be the best way to go? And trying to stay cool as well. Would going 40 east be better then 10 and 20?

[superpickle]

Well, I40 is mountains in Az, around west of Flagstaff a couple of good grades and New Mexico has a few easy grades, pretty flat till Arkansas, then its lot of little up and downs , mostly an Easy drive. Dont know much past that on I 40.? Dont think Missippi and east are much for High mountains.. Just Hills. 
But I emagine its Cooler that the Southern route..
Although ALL the Midwest is pretty Humid and on the Hot side at times..

Paul...

[musicman]

I-10 on over to I-95 in florida then go north on I-95 into South Carolina then hit I-26 in South Carolina and its all smooth sailing all the way into Ashville..Ive made that trip several times and its all good roads

[orfunauto/Darrell]

Take 10 to Mobile, Alabama, 65 north out of Mobile to Montgomery, Alabama, 85 north out of Montgomery all the way to Spartanburg, South Carolina, 26 north out of Spartanburg to Asheville, NC.  Easiest and quickest route I've ever taken.  Atlanta travel is best very early in the morning or late in the evening.  40 would be my last choice, there's always construction west of Ashville during the summer. 

[NJT5047]

Yep.  I-40 has its issues!  Nashville has major construction and North Carolina is still cleaning up rockslides...although, right now, NC  I-40 to Asheville is open.   Whenever the weather gets nasty, I 40 from the Tnn boarder to Asheville is a dangerous section of road.  Gets foggy and it is a twisty bit of interstate.   
Most interstates have some construction right in the planned route.  Even with the construction projects, the shortest interstate route is usually the quickest.   
Even with the hills, I-40 is cooler than the southern/I-10 route.   I-40 is an easy climb out of Tennessee into North Carolina.   I-40 thru Tenn and NC is pretty good only Nashville and Knoxville have any traffic problems...Knoxville due to the intersecting interstates.  Still flows along....most of the time.
Just take it easy and "take the short-cut"...driving up from I-10 will add close to 400 miles to your trip?  It's a right good bit of driving. 
Driving over to i-95 will add another couple hundred miles to the ride.
Plus, the climb into Asheville on I-26 would likely be as bad a climb as the western "hills."     
Just take your time on the hills.   
Best of luck, JR

[sivrtnge2]

I40 is the best route to try and stay cool...however I10, I20, I635, I30, I440, I40 is the most practical route!!! 2318 miles.  
--
BILL

[gm4106]

Thanks for all the great responses. Your info will be helpful. How every my maim area of concern is getting from San Diego through Arizona. From what I hear the southern route is best,agree or disagree? Does anyone have any other routes, Suggestions or areas to avoid?

[Len Silva]

Asheville is a really neat city, vibrant, artsy, a lot of fun for us.  If you are looking for a place to stay I can personally recommend Mama Gerties http://mamagerties.com/.
If you decide to stay there, drop me a note, I can show you an easier approach than on the map.

Len

[Dreamscape]

I think the southern route has the best roads. I traveled them a couple of times in recent months, Texas to southern CA then back to Texas. Just remember it will be hotter. The only concern would be coming out of San Diego heading towards Tucson, lots of downgrades to deal with. After that you're good to go. Just go slow and your shouldn't have any problems, lower gears should be used. It's flatter if you take the 10 to Phoenix, a few hills around Indio to deal with. It is just going out of your way.

Have a great trip and let us know how it went.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[gm4106]

dreamscape said
The only concern would be coming out of San Diego heading towards Tucson, lots of downgrades to deal with.
Wow, what would this be?

[Ncbob]

I certainly can't compete with all you former truckers...you know every pig path in the country.  But...I live only 70 miles west of Asheville and don't like burning fuel climbing mountains any more than the poster.  Even with Jakes...downhills of 8-9% jump start my pacemaker.

We're I planning this trip I'd opt for I-10, if the western end of it is relatively free of mountains.  In any event I'd plan on coming up through AL on 85 into ATL.

The climb up out of SC on I-26 to Asheville is a loooong bear but you'd have to go too far east to be practical. 

I-85 out of ATL into 985 to US 441/23 would bring you into our town (Franklin) and it's an easy drive over to Asheville.

You'd find fuel cheaper in AL than in GA or NC too.

NCbob

[Stan]

4106: Have you never driven 50 miles East of SD. You have to go over the El Cajon pass which is probably the worst grade you will hit between SD and the East Coast. Going up from the West is just slow going but the downgrade is nasty. Use low gears and watch the speed limit signs. Once you hit El Centro, nothing but hills after that. Some are steep and crooked but none are very long. IH 8 runs into IH 10 before you get to El Paso. This would be my preferred route. There is way too much traffic to go up to LA to pick up IH 10 there. Even mid day any of those Northbound  highways are miserable with a car. I have driven the Yuma to SD to Oceanside run a couple of times with a bus.

[gm4106]

I'm flying out to san Diego to get the bus to drive it home. I live on the east coast. The only place west I been is Paris Texas. I know I85,I26 and I40 pretty good.
I was thinking of taking I8 out of San Diego,Ca to Tucson,AZ. I don't know this road. Then picking up I10 to I20 near Pecos,TX. Don't know this one eather.Then I20 to I85 in Alt,GA. I driven Trucks and a 4speed 4106 before.This is my first time that far west and first time with auto transmission with no Jakes. My concerns are about the roads coming out of San Diego area to eastern part of TX. What to look out for and stay away from?  Thanks

[Dreamscape]

You said you didn't have jakes, so I was letting you know about the downgrades.

dreamscape said
The only concern would be coming out of San Diego heading towards Tucson, lots of downgrades to deal with.
Wow, what would this be?

What goes up must come down. After the El Cajon pass it's a pretty good ride. More climbing out of Tucson, but not bad. I think it is the best route for a first timer.

Paul

[Beatenbo]

Here is the route  Ashville I-26  Spartanburg ( or jump on US25 to Greenville to I-85) I-85 to Atlanta, straight thru to Montgomery I-10 Mobile..... I-10 til your fanny is sore. Louisana is rough but so is the rest of the world. Have over a million miles, ran every one of these roads more than I can count.