It seems to be about 40 minutes shorter in time taking I-40 from Charlotte to Asheville by way of Hickory NC than the direct route through the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area?

Even though the mileage is 25 miles or so less. I realize it's mostly interstate the long way, but is the shorter direct route worth taking for the scenery etc? Will be departing by rental car from Charlotte around 6:30 p.m. in the evening in June after a flight out of Kansas City.

Part of me says take the faster route simply because we have been traveling all day and don't need the extra travel time -- but this also is probably our only chance to see that particular stretch too?

What would the locals do? Having never been to NC before just getting your take on the roads in the area.

We've done both (my stepdaughters live in Charlotte and my in-laws in Asheville) and they both take about the same length of time. Take the scenic route because it is much more pleasant.

Thanks....!

Sorry, it is I-40 to Highway 74 going through Shelby, Kings Mountain to Highway 11. I think.

I-40 doesn't go to Charlotte.

From Charlotte I've taken I-85, to 74 west, to I-26.

If you're leaving the airport at 6:30 p.m. take the interstate because drive is easier in the dark.

I wouldn't take the road to Bat Cave, because it's way too twisty.

North on 77 , west on 40(at STatesville) to Asheville. For interstate, this is a very, very beautiful drive. You are driving through big mountains with views of Mt. Mitchell. It might not be AS scenic as the other way, but it's fast and I don't think you'll feel cheated on natural beauty.

You'll be going west. think about sunglasses.

What ncgirl said. Take I85 from just outside the airport. It will branch off to route 74 through a couple of little towns and then become a wide open 4 lane highway. Take I26 west (although it is basically north!) to Asheville. About an hour and a half to Asheville.
It is a pretty drive, especially coming up from the Green River. If you want to stop for dinner after about an hour, get off at Saluda--cute little town. Has a good BBQ place.
taking 77 will add a lot of time to your trip, in my opinion. If for some reason you paricularly want to go on 40, take i85 west to Rt. 321 and go north to 40.

One more time.

According to Mr.GoTravel (who does all the driving because if I get behind the wheel he shrieks like a little girl), it is I-85 to 74 to I-26.

Either way, head west from Charlotte.

You have to head north to pick up I-40.

Agreed. I-85 S to Hwy 74 W to I-26 W.

You'd have to backtrack toward Charlotte from the airport to take I-77 to I-40.

And taking HWY 64 through Lake Lure would REALLY slow you down.

Ah, forgive me, there is no need to backtrack to I-77 to catch I-40, you can head south on I-85 and pick up Hwy 321 N to get on I-40 in Hickory. I've actually gone this way a couple times.

It's a good alternate if I-85 looks backed up near the Hwy 321 junction in Gastonia. Hwy 321 is a 4-lane 65 mph interstate-grade road up to I-40.

Here's another vote for I-85 / US 74 / I-26.

I-85 to US 321 N at Gastonia to I-40W is also acceptable, but I like I-26 better than I-40. And the traffic is next to nothing on US 74 after you get through Shelby. I-26 can be busy at times, but not nearly as busy as I-40.

Thanks for all the suggestions..... didn't realize that questions would get that varied of response...

It is pretty much the same way but we all have different variations of getting to 74.

It also depends upon what part of Charlotte you are starting in.

The airport-a mile for I85.