A massive rockslide closed the interstate in both directions between Exit 20 (U.S. 276) 24 miles west of Asheville in North Carolina and Exit 421 (I-81 Interchange) east of Knoxville, Tenn. It will take several months for crews to reopen the highway.
Travelers can still reach Western North Carolina via I-40 from the east and I-26 to the north and south. Exits 20 and 27 on I-40 provide access to popular destinations west of Asheville. In Tennessee, exits 432 through 451 provide access to popular destinations in southeastern Tennessee.
The detour route is 53 miles longer and is an additional 45 minutes to an hour driving time. Motorists traveling on I-40 West should take Exit 53B (I-240 West) in Asheville and follow I-240 West to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West (a North Carolina Scenic Highway) to I-81 South in Tennessee. Take I-81 South and follow it back to I-40 at mile marker 421. Eastbound motorists should use the reverse directions.
A map of the official detour route is attached.
NCDOT engineers say during winter weather the official rockslide detour is the safest route for travelers and extra efforts are made to keep that route open, including the use of additional snowplows. Crews from NCDOT’s Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) will expand their patrols onto I-26 north of Asheville to assist motorists who have troubles on the official detour route.
Motorists choosing an alternative route are advised to call ahead and check on road conditions.
While NCDOT crews work to keep a popular alternative route, U.S. 25-70, open during winter storms, the two-lane highway is curvy and steep, and can quickly pose risky driving conditions. The highway is closed to commercial traffic.
Motorists wanting to use U.S. 441 as an alternative route should use caution during times of winter weather. Officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said the road will be closed if unsafe conditions occur because of snow or ice. The highway was closed Friday as the winter storm hit the mountains. During those times, traffic will be stopped in North Carolina at the Smokemont Campground just north of the Oconaluftee Visitors Center and in Tennessee at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. To check on road conditions in the park, call (865) 436-1200.
Blue Ridge Parkway officials also close sections of the parkway when snow or ice makes travel unsafe. To check on parkway closures, call (828) 298-0398.
Additionally, travelers cannot take U.S. 64 from North Carolina into Tennessee due to a rockslide that blocked the highway near the Ocoee 2 Dam in Polk County, Tenn., about eight miles west of North Carolina. U.S. 64 will be closed for several months.
Motorists are advised to take U.S. 74 to Tennessee 68 North at Ducktown through McMinn County, then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County.
NCDOT reminds motorists to stay alert, obey the posted speed limit, leave early and travel at non-peak times when possible. Plan ahead before driving by visiting the NCDOT Traveler Information Management System Web site at www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/ or calling 511, the state’s free travel information line, for current travel conditions.
NCDOT also provides alerts about traffic congestion, construction work and changes to the ferry schedule on Twitter. To access them, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter/.
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