Fancy Gap vs Black Mountain

shawn

shawn

running dog lackey of the oppressor class
Administrator
Joined
Mar 13, 2005
Location
Raleigh, NC
Ken and I were talking about this last night. Distance-wise, if you're driving to TN from anywhere east of Winston-Salem, it's about the same to go up 52 to 77 and 81 into Knoxville as it is to stay on 40.

But Google says that going through VA will take you 30 minutes longer.

Me? I prefer to go up 77. Both have hills, but 81 is pretty flat from Wytheville to Knoxville.

Black Mountain is 6% for 5 miles. Fancy Gap is 4.5% for 8 miles.

I also found a stat that says you're 20 times more likely to die in a car wreck in the gorge on I-40 as you are to win Powerball. :lol:

So... which is it?
 
So, you started a whole thread to talk about your "hills" you guys have over there?


:flipoff2:



I'd choose the route more likely to get takers on 'flash Fridays'

--B
 
Nah, I want to know which way is better.
 
are you saying that....somehow....

boobies =/ better?


:shaking:

-B
 
Google Maps isn't accounting for the windy-ass road, the occasional rock slides, the truck that got caught in the wrong gear, the tunnels, or the fact that there is NOTHING west of Asheville.
The alleged extra 30 mins is totally worth it in anything other than a fun car.
 
All I know is that im scared to death of heights and Fancy gap makes my hands sweat every time. Its like a bad car wreck, you really dont want to look but something inside you says go ahead man take a look.
I choose black mountain.
 
Hrmmm 85 to 26 to 40 avoid both?
 
with my gasser trucks/van I found I77/I81 to be an easier pull overall. As mentioned the windy curvy part of I40 sucks when your towing and there is lots of traffic. Most of I77/I81 is relativity smooth.
 
Where is yalls sense of adventure:flipoff2:
I love pulling hills, after 9yrs in the same truck it still amazes me what a 6cyl diesel can do with a 'lil boost:D
I pull Black mountain and Fancy gap 3-6 times each annually both ways. Fancy Gap is a walk in the park compared to Black mountain. Cruise control gets set at 75 north of statesville and doesn't kick out until I-81 when the brakes get tapped.
For some reason my passengers often have there eyes closed goin through the gorge, that left lane does get pretty skinny:lol:

I26 north of Asheville, I75 north of Knoxville, and 421 in VA and KY are a good time as well. I68 from Morgantown, WV to Cumberland, MD is just plum annoying.
 
From my neck of the woods, I74 - I26-I40 -I81 -25E-119 into Harlan. I bypass black mountain, bypass all those pulls on 26 and that killer pull after 26. A couple small pulls, but after the gorge ( wihich I don't mind) its smooth sailing. A little further, but the time is the same for me. With the 30' gasser RV pulling the rig, those 25mph uphill pulls SUCK not counting the wear on the tow pig.
 
77/81 is much better, and really not any longer (if you go up 52 to hit 77), I will be going 40, but only because I have to pick up dylan and possibly a guy in statesville. If the guy in statesville backs out I may get dylan to tow the jeep to my house so I can take 77/81. 40 is a rough ride too which makes it worse...
 
good post, I was gonna ask the same question. Seems like I remember everyone saying Fancy Gap was quicker, the "30 extra" mins on google maps got me wondering though.
 
StretchASU said:
The "stairway to heaven" on the way to Harlan...thats a hell of a hill. No passing zones and two lane. God forbid you get stuck behind a coal truck. Add 20 minutes to the drive.
Click to expand...
Or if you get stuck behind me pulling my jeep with my BBC gasser truck. I get to the top, but you can time the run with a friggin sundial.
 
I've gone both ways... I-77/I-81 is a far more pleasant ride. I hate the gorge on I-40... it once took me 10-1/2 hours to get to Windrock... a semi flipped over in the gorge and shut it all down.
 
Tacoma747 said:
77/81 is much better, and really not any longer (if you go up 52 to hit 77), I will be going 40, but only because I have to pick up dylan and possibly a guy in statesville. If the guy in statesville backs out I may get dylan to tow the jeep to my house so I can take 77/81. 40 is a rough ride too which makes it worse...
Click to expand...


Not to worry...77 is only about 12 miles further on 40 than my exit. We can go that way no problem...or we can take 601(my exit) north towards yadkinville 14 miles and catch 421 for a few short miles to 77. We're good either way.

But I will say 40 is as rough as a cob.
 
We usta go to Chattanooga regularly ... screw the I-40 route. Done it once in a 15 passenger van pulling a enclosed trailer.
Did not like!
The 77/81 version is much better.
The one big thing I noticed is traffic flow.
The 77/81 route ends up being much quicker for not other reason than the actual speeds at which you travel.
I have set the cruise on the wrong side of 85mph and not slow down until the the truckstop capital of the world ( aka Knoxville Bristol interchange).
Then it was right back up to speed at the way to Chattanooga.
Relatively flat ( after Fancy Gap and Poplar Camp) and wide open road all the way.


Matt
 
StretchASU said:
The "stairway to heaven" on the way to Harlan...thats a hell of a hill. No passing zones and two lane. God forbid you get stuck behind a coal truck. Add 20 minutes to the drive.
Click to expand...

Old Fort Mountain up to Black Mountain is nothing compared to that pull. Last time up that I was the "coal truck" :lol:.
 
I live right between 52 and I-77 in My. Airy and I travel 40 every week running my recycling route. I77-81 all the way. BTW, skip the 52 to 77 route, take I74 just south of mt.airy over to 77 save bunch of time, less curves, no small town intersections from their to hillsville.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
 
GONOVRIT said:
Where is yalls sense of adventure:flipoff2:
I love pulling hills, after 9yrs in the same truck it still amazes me what a 6cyl diesel can do with a 'lil boost :D
Click to expand...

It's not just the hills... it's that washboard mess on I40 around Statesville vs the construction in W-S... the gorge vs VA State Troopers, etc.
 
Shawn said:
It's not just the hills... it's that washboard mess on I40 around Statesville vs the construction in W-S... the gorge vs VA State Troopers, etc.
Click to expand...


all of the above! 40 sucks ass for ride quality and trailer upkeep...ask me how i know, over 300,000 miles on my cage trailer for recycling, ???? how many spring hangers have i replaced on my trailer, not to mention tires with broken belts. 81 is basically smooth as glass in comparison and lighter traffic all the way.

troopers in Va are not as bad as the hype. just keep it less than 6 over limit and all is good.
 
mcutler said:
all of the above! 40 sucks ass for ride quality and trailer upkeep...ask me how i know, over 300,000 miles on my cage trailer for recycling, ???? how many spring hangers have i replaced on my trailer, not to mention tires with broken belts. 81 is basically smooth as glass in comparison and lighter traffic all the way.
troopers in Va are not as bad as the hype. just keep it less than 6 over limit and all is good.
Click to expand...

Or get in line with the big boys and roll thru like you own the place!

Matt
 
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