Driving on I40 between Asheville, NC and Nashville, TN
 

I was thinking of towing a U-Haul trailer on the route. Is it practical or too windy? The alternative route is south to Atlanta. This route is flatter but by going this route, there is an approximately 100 mi. journey through non-interstate highway.

The only really tough part is a 30 - 40 mile stretch at the NC/Tenn border. Fairly twisty and occassional lane closures from rock slides. But just take is slow and you shouldn't have any trouble, especially if you not planning on making the trip in winter.

Make sure your engine on your truck can handle the grade. You wouldn't want to destroy your transmission.

I think 140 is too fast for towing a U-Haul especially on a non-interstate highway. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the reply, especially wemr. I don't want to drive at 140 mph. Actually, I was thinking about warp 140.

I am driving from South Carolina to Arkansas. The interstate only route is on I-40 through the mountains. The southern route through Atlanta and a state highway section in Mississippi is about 50 miles shorter and much flatter.

I think I will take the flatter route through Atlanta. The only drawback is that sometimes there is stop and go traffic in Atlanta and on the state highway (non-interstate highway) part of Mississippi. With a trailer in tow, I prefer not to stop but I think a hilly drive through I-40 is worse.

Any other ideas, let me know.

Tom, am I guessing correctly that you are going up the mountain on I-26? I cannot stress the importance of having a big engine if you are towing. While it doesn't seem to be a steep grade, it is a very long one. I think it is something like 35 miles uphill. Unless you have a farm truck, I would consider alternate routes.

I'm going out on a limb and say it depends on your driving skills. Large trucks, campers, etc. use this route every day without problem.

The steepest part of I-26 into Asheville can't be more than 3 miles.
It has a truck lane, so you should be fine.

Good luck
Mike Honeycutt