US 321 Boone NC to Kingsport, TN and I-81 to TCPC

[Al and Missy]

Considering a trip from West Jefferson near Boone, NC to TCPC. I have driven 321 through the area multiple times but not towing and my memory fails me. Looking on RV Trip Wizard it routes this way for RV routing with no warnings. There appears to be one short, but straight area of 6% grade and several grades in the 4%-5% range. I'm not particularly concerned about the grade but I remember it was a fun drive in a sports car with lots of twisties.


Has anyone driven this route towing? I'll be towing a Classic 30 with a Ram 2500 Cummins.


Thanks!

[Tater]

I haven't driven that route but make certain that you follow the tcpconline.com instructions for getting to TCPC. Do not use GPS as it will put you on roads that you will be unable to navigate.

[GetawA-S]

My general approach to diving in that part of the country is to avoid crossing those parallel ridges on the smaller roads. That would mean driving SW, say 221 to I40, and then head west. If you are in Boone, this is probably not news to you.
On our last visit to that area ( sans trailer) I think we took 19E so the wife could visit the Mast General Store Annex. It was a curvy ride, one I would not do with a trailer, and 321 looks even more curvy.

[Al and Missy]

Eom

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Tater

I haven't driven that route but make certain that you follow the tcpconline.com instructions for getting to TCPC. Do not use GPS as it will put you on roads that you will be unable to navigate.

Good advice . . . thanks:

https://tcpconline.com/directions

"GPS systems try to bring people in from Pikeville via Valley View Road. If you have never traveled Valley View Road, while it is technically the shortest route, it's 10 miles of narrow gravel road with numerous potholes and a white-knuckle climb up a twisty hill with no guardrails. It will then try to send you down Hell's Hollow road, which is basically a footpath with no place to turn around. So the bottom line is....."don't trust your GPS routing - follow the TCPC directions."