Heading west - routes and grades

shawn

shawn

running dog lackey of the oppressor class
Administrator
Joined
Mar 13, 2005
Location
Raleigh, NC
So, after getting stuck in the I-77 backup last weekend, I've been looking around to try to better understanding of what all the options are.

I-77 at Fancy Gap is about 5% for 7 miles. This is not a bad grade, so long as the weather and traffic are cooperating.

US-52 is closed to trucks over eight tons southbound from Fancy Gap. The grade is four miles long. Based on some rough math on a topo map, portions of this are definitely in the 9-10% range, with some parts likely higher. Summit elevation is about 2900', base elevation is about 1600', but the bottom mile is pretty gradual. Most of the elevation drop happens in about a 2-3 mile stretch. It is two lanes up hill, one lane downhill, curvy, rough, with one or two emergency turn-outs on the downhill side.

US-58 at Stuart is 9% for 6 miles, two lanes, curvy, with no turn-outs. Uphill grade is in the westbound direction.

I-40 between Black Mountain and Old Fort is 6% for 5 miles. It is three lanes wide in both directions, but curvy. There are three emergency turn-outs on the eastbound (downhill) side.

US421 east of Boone is 8% for 4 miles. Uphill direction is westbound toward Boone. Two lanes in both directions, downhill truck speed limit of 30 mph. Mostly straight, but a few turns, particularly about halfway down. There is at least one emergency turn-out.

I-77 on Flat Top Mountain in WV (between Princeton and Beckley) is 5% for 5 miles. Uphill grade is in the NB direction. Two lanes downhill, three lanes uphill. Speed limit is 70mph. Grade is generally okay, but there are curves near the bottom (roughly MM20) that cause frequent accidents. The road flattens out until just past Princeton, where there is another 1.5mi long 5% section. This section also has three lanes on the uphill side. No emergency turn-outs on either section.

I-26 at Saluda, NC is posted as 6% grade for 3 miles. Uphill is in the westbound direction. Three lanes uphill, two lanes downhill. Truck speed limit is 55mph. The road is fairly straight with some wide, sweeping curves.

I-24 near Monteagle, TN averages over 6% over 3 miles on the downhill side. The interstate is separated, and westbound traffic uses 6 miles to gain the same 1000ft of elevation. The road is three lanes in both directions.
 
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Yeah, by all means, post up any grade info you've got. I think I-26 north out of Asheville has a few decent hills, but I don't know specifics. It's been a long time since I've been through there.
 
The limits you are stating pertain to commercial vehicles. If you run a log book and have a Federal Inspection on your rig this is for you. If not you can come down 52, I have done it in our camper grossing around 48,000 - 50,000. Shawn, you didn't say where you were trying to get to.
 
I26 from SPBG Saluda Grade ..but Id ont know the specs and Im too fawking lzy to google that shit.

Dayton Tn, tanke the wrong road and you have to use the power telescoping mirrors to push the trailer of the door on a 12% graded switchback ....

The wrong way into Harlan from Keokee...downhill was "shut up Rob and hand me another beer" uphill was "if you think we can make it back up let me ou here and Ill see you when you come back past.
 
I'm mostly just trying to get a list of all the big grades around here, with as much info as we can round up. If you're just towing a Jeep on a flat bed, it doesn't matter so much which way you try to go home...

But more and more folks are showing up with big motor homes or toter trailers like ours. And then there's an accident or unexpected detour or something, and you've got to come up with a plan b. Neither Garmin nor google maps are very good about differentiating routes for bigger vehicles.

Or for that matter, say you've been down 421, but never pulled black mountain...some quick facts might help you understand how they compare.

I'm not looking forward to ever coming down 52 again. Your mh has a Jake.... Mine, not so much.
 
Had to go look it up.
Saluda is 6.5-7.5% for 3.6 miles.

Almost as bad as the infamous Saluda Grade the rail section that climbs the same hill. The steepest rail gade in the US.
 
Old Fort mountain (Black Mtn on I40) is steep, but in my opinion easy to maintain speed on since the curves are long and sweeping. Saluda mountain is pretty steep, but short and sweeping also. I come up both of them numerous times a week ona flatbed, loaded.
I26 between Asheville and Erwin TN has long but straight grades. Coming INTO NC from TN, the pull is steep and sharp. IMO, that is a pretty tough pull.
I know these roads pretty well Shawn, call me if you need to.
 
Ron said:
Had to go look it up.
Saluda is 6.5-7.5% for 3.6 miles.

Almost as bad as the infamous Saluda Grade the rail section that climbs the same hill. The steepest rail gade in the US.
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The sign on I-26 says 6% for 3mi.

(Google Street View FTW)
 
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I-26W is a nice straight pull that our crew likes . IMHO I don't think 26E is any worse than Black Mtn, we had 4rigs run up it at a steady 75mph last time. If heading to Harlan via 421 there is a MONSTER of a hill that way. 2lane and steep! You better have faith in your tow rig on that hill.
A not so harsh way to Harlan is 40/25E/119. Slightly longer but not so harsh on the rig.
 
This is the pull on US-421: (Link)

And yeah, it's a good hill on both sides. It's about 3mi up, gain about 800ft of elevation, then the same thing on the other side. Two lane undivided road with no turn-outs or passing lane. The math works out to a 5% average grade, but I think the middle part is a bit steeper than that.

Going 25E takes you through the Cumberland Gap tunnel.
 
I think some of the GPS that the truckers use take into account reroutes that are truck friendly.

Davs

Swyped while swerving
 
Yeah, but how many of us have big rig GPSes?
 
Ron said:
Dayton Tn, tanke the wrong road and you have to use the power telescoping mirrors to push the trailer of the door on a 12% graded switchback ....

The wrong way into Harlan from Keokee...downhill was "shut up Rob and hand me another beer" uphill was "if you think we can make it back up let me ou here and Ill see you when you come back past.
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Last time I was in Dayton, we went I-40 to US-27. It's pretty flat once you get into TN. I thought there was a big hill down toward Chattanooga, but I'm not finding it on the map. There's a pass on I-24 heading west from Chattanooga, but it looks fairly flat, just twisty. Sort of like going through the I-40 gorge west of Asheville. Edit: found the I-24 hill. It's posted at the top now. Loses 1000ft in 3mi on the EB side.

How did you end up in Keokee?
 
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GONOVRIT said:
I-26W is a nice straight pull that our crew likes . IMHO I don't think 26E is any worse than Black Mtn, we had 4rigs run up it at a steady 75mph last time. If heading to Harlan via 421 there is a MONSTER of a hill that way. 2lane and steep! You better have faith in your tow rig on that hill.
A not so harsh way to Harlan is 40/25E/119. Slightly longer but not so harsh on the rig.
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Don't forget the few miles of 81N off of I-40 before you get on 25E
Not nearly as bad of a drive now that the finished the road through there, just a bunch of small towns to go through.
I prefer 26 out of Asheville though. other than Old Fort, only one big grade, and a small one(narrow 2 lane) before you get into Harlan
 
shawn said:
This is the pull on US-421: (Link)

And yeah, it's a good hill on both sides. It's about 3mi up, gain about 800ft of elevation, then the same thing on the other side. Two lane undivided road with no turn-outs or passing lane. The math works out to a 5% average grade, but I think the middle part is a bit steeper than that.

Going 25E takes you through the Cumberland Gap tunnel.
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upnover said:
Don't forget the few miles of 81N off of I-40 before you get on 25E
Not nearly as bad of a drive now that the finished the road through there, just a bunch of small towns to go through.
I prefer 26 out of Asheville though. other than Old Fort, only one big grade, and a small one(narrow 2 lane) before you get into Harlan
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I think these are referencing the same grade. If I'm not mistaken I-26 turns into something like I26/58/23/421 combo before switching over to all 421 outside of Harlan.

This hill has claimed the life of 1 Duramax engine with our group. This is also where I fell in love with my BD exhaust brake.
 
shawn said:
Last time I was in Dayton, we went I-40 to US-27. It's pretty flat once you get into TN. I thought there was a big hill down toward Chattanooga, but I'm not finding it on the map. There's a pass on I-24 heading west from Chattanooga, but it looks fairly flat, just twisty. Sort of like going through the I-40 gorge west of Asheville. Edit: found the I-24 hill. It's posted at the top now. Loses 1000ft in 3mi on the EB side.

How did you end up in Keokee?
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The dayton hill i was joking about is a two lane on the way to the kizzars...

As for keokee I'm not sure how it happened but i hope it never does again. But the hold my beer might have a few clues.
 
John B. said:
I think these are referencing the same grade. If I'm not mistaken I-26 turns into something like I26/58/23/421 combo before switching over to all 421 outside of Harlan.
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That's right.

I wouldn't mind having an exhaust brake, but I can't get over the purchase price. Maybe if I could find a decent deal on a used one.... As it is now, the trailer makes a pretty good "air brake" if the road speed is +60mph and the grade is <6% ;)
 
shawn said:
I wouldn't mind having an exhaust brake, but I can't get over the purchase price)
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Trade your truck for a new dodge, they are factory equipment, and awesome. I'm sure you could use the bigger backseat with two car seats back there now.
 
tw89yj said:
Trade your truck for a new dodge, they are factory equipment, and awesome. I'm sure you could use the bigger backseat with two car seats back there now.
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LMAO... that's my kind of thinking... "Honey, I don't really think we should spend $1200 on an exhaust brake. Let's sell the truck and buy a new $50k one instead."

I don't disagree, though. In fact, Cyd and I were talking about replacing her car yesterday, and she asked, "what are we going to do about the Dodge?" I still don't have an answer to that. :lol:
 
The hill west of Chattanooga on I-24 Monteagle.
 
I can't think of the route but we had to go through Hot Springs a couple times when I40 was closed. There's a steep hill on a two lane with no turnouts. Coming down that hill behind Travis with his exhaust brake on is what finally made give in and buy one. I honestly couldn't live without it now.
 
shawn said:
Yeah, by all means, post up any grade info you've got. I think I-26 WEST out of Asheville has a few decent hills, but I don't know specifics. It's been a long time since I've been through there.
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Fify
The grades through there are minimal. More down hill steepness than uphill. Big wide highway that has 3 lanes once you get up around Wolf Laurel and TN. Watch for troopers on the down hills.
 
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