I'll be riding from central IL to Camp Lejeune, NC around Oct. 15th. (Gonna help my daughter move back home, her husband is being deployed to Afghanistan). Plan on taking I77 from Virginia into NC. I'm wondering which way from there; take I40 east or drop down and take 64 east and miss Winston-Salem, Greensboro etc. Anyone on here familiar with this area and have any recommendations? Also what can I expect weather-wise coming through the mnts in West Virginia and Virginia?
Thanks,
KJ

 

Are you in a rush? then I-40 is ok.... try to hit W-s around 10 am.... so you're inbetween the morning, and the lunch rush... Raleigh is just 1.5 hours, away, so you'll avoid the same.
Kinda boring to me... but others DO enjoy the slabs

If you're NOT in a rush... and you want to hit some curves...I-77 to I-74 take NC-89 EAST towards Mt Airy (if you're a fan of the old Andy Griffth show... you'll want to allocate some time there)
Follow NC-89 past the merge with NC-8 about 50 miles (good curvy road, with food, and gas often) to US-311 in Walnut Cove, about 10 miles to NC-65
Follow NC-65 about 10 miles to Stokesdale NC, and pick up US-150 east.
Follow US-158 east about 50 miles to Yanceyville NC and pick up NC-86
Follow NC-86 south to hillsbrough and I-40 about 40 miles (without stops... somewhere in the 3 hour range NOT the fastest way... but for me... more fun)

US-64 is ok.... but if your goal is to avoid W-S.... you'll go outta yer way

Just went that route last week... roads are clear,and in good shape

Weather wise??? expect everything.... it'll be mid 80's here in the flatlands, and low 40's, and a cold rain in the mountains....

FYI... just ran the numbers... the way I said... and pick up I-40 to US-64 3.5 hours,
I-77 to US-901, to US-64 to I-40 4 hours,
I-77 to US-601 to US-64 to I-40 also 4 hours
I-77 to intersection on US-64, and I-40 2.5 hours

 

I would take the US64 over I40.

 

Coming from mountains of VA couple weeks ago I took 58 East to 29 south to 158 East to 93 all good roads. 40 can be tough sometimes between Winston Salem and Raleigh. East of Raleigh though 40 should be OK.

 

Thanks for the replies. While I won't be in a big hurry, I won't have time to sight see. Wish I did. Someday I hope to be able to come to this part of the country and spend several weeks riding. While driving to our daughter's last year we came very close to being hit on I40. So close my wife screamed and I was bracing for impact! At the last second the little old lady swerved and missed us. We were in my truck then. Later on down the road we were stuck in traffic for a long time. I think I'll avoid that on a motorcycle. Right now I'm Leaning towards taking 64. Thanks again
KJ

 

I would take 421 E from 77 to 601 S and then 64 E. 601 is a fairly scenic road on that stretch, and 64 isn't bad either. My only gripe with these roads is that if you get stuck behind slow moving traffic, there aren't many places to pass. There can be a lot of traffic, especially on 64. Having said that, it is still the way I usually choose over 40 when I'm headed to the beach on the scoot. FYI, there is a great little motorcycle museum right on 64 just before you get in to Asheboro. It only takes about :30 minutes to go through, and it is well worth the stop. I believe it is called the American Classic Motorcycle museum, or something close to that.

Ride Safe!

 

NC Pirate
Thanks for the heads up on the Museum.
KJ

 

I must have missed the museum somehow. Thanks for the heads up.

 

The NC Pirate has the right idea. And it is American Classic Motorcycle Co., 1170 Hwy. 64 West, Asheboro. A really cool place, with a diner downstairs and some of the best unrestored old Harleys I have seen upstairs. I remember the 1964 Pan Police bike from the city of Wilmington,NC.... Just like it was when it came out of service. The countryside from there on down east is nice as well. A very good ride.

 

American Classic actually does "swap out" the displays periodically.... always worth a drop-by when in Asheboro....
Easy to miss though....just west of the 64-49 split... looks like a nothing building... non-descript.... except for the sign outside, with an old panhead (?) mounted on top... and the bike is like "ceiling white" so it doesn't really jump out at you.... which is good, because cars are coming from every direction at you

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashebo...NC/79873596330