Heading for North Carolina 2010-- Part 6-- North Carolina Bound

I got off I-40 on the east side of Asheville at the Biltmore exit and went to a McDonald's for a break. Lots of "Forever Lights" and traffic, but this was the fanciest McDonald's I've ever been in. It was three stories high, had columns, parque floors, plants, and even a player piano in the corner. Definitely worth a stop if you're ever in the area.

I also stopped to eat bbq at Butch's BBQ and Breakfast in Morganton. It was alright barbecue, but I've had better.

Got gas around Burlington, which is usually the cheapest along I-40. Gas in Asheville is usually higher.

I was happy to get around the Durham-Raleigh traffic hassle with just one stop near RDU airport where there was a lot of road construction. After about a mile crawl, it was smooth sailing despite getting into the early part of rush hour.

I love the new US-70 bypass around Clayton as it saves a real lot of time.

Arrived at Goldsboro about 5 pm.

Finally at Mom's. --RoadDog

Heading for North Carolina 2010-- Part 5-- North Carolina Bound

I took the interstate bypass around Knoxville, half expecting a traffic jam at 8 am, but never saw one.

I was getting down on gas, but wouldn't fill up until I got east of the Tn-66 exit for Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. I have always found he stations east of there to be cheaper than anywhere else. I went to the Pilot Station at Dandridge (Exit 417) and got gas for the cheapest on the trip so far, $2.37.

Gas in Gibson City, Illlinois Aug. 28th was $2.60
Aug. 29th Vincennes, Indiana $2.59
Aug. 29th London, Kentucky $2.50
Aug. 30th Whitsett, NC $2.48


THANK GOODNESS IT'S OPEN AGAIN

It sure was nice being able to drive through the mountains of North Carolina on I-40. This road had been closed for about two years after a major rock slide. Earlier this spring, I had to take US-52 in Winston-Salem to Wytheville, Virginia and then I-81 back to Knoxville.

Definitely a lot easier with I-40 open.

Fancy McDonald's Next. --RoadDog

Happy 81st Birthday Route 66 and US Highway System

Not only is today Veterans Day, but also, it was on this date back in 1926 that the whole US Highway System was established. That would include Route 66 and all numbered US highways from 1 to 100.

Roads with termini (ends)east and west received even numbers, and those north and south received odd numbers.

The east-west roads started in the north with US-2 and worked their way southward. The more important transcontinental roads ended with zero. The north-south roads started on the east coast with US-1 and worked their way to the Pacific. The key ones ended with one or five. These were usually the ones going from Canada all the way to the southern borders of the US.

This replaces a system of naming roads, like the Lincoln or Dixie highways, that were causing great confusion as the numbers of cars increased. It was a necessary thing to do.

Then, in 1955, the Interstate System replaced the US Highways as the primary mode of transportation. I'm sure glad they did. I couldn't even imagine how bad things would be if we still were using the US Highways as the main way to get around.

Liz and I are more than a little hooked on old roads, as you may well know.

Happy Birthday US Highways, and Especially Route 66. --RoadDog