Greenville, SC Road Trip
Jan. 14, 2007

These photos are from a trip to Greenville, S.C., on Jan. 14, 2007. States traveled through were Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. To view the full-sized photos, click on one of the thumbnails on this page. You will then be presented with navigation controls to view the images on individual Web pages as a slide show.

PICT0001
Junction signage for KY 80 and the new Kentucky Hal Rogers Parkway signage on KY 15 south.
PICT0002
KY 80 and Hal Rogers Parkway signage at the ramp from KY 15 south to the westbound parkway.
PICT0003
An additional set of signs at the ramp.
PICT0004
KY 15 and KY 7 intersection at Jeff, south of Hazard. Although KY 7 is signed as northbound, it actually runs southeastward here, parallel to KY 15, and the two routes eventually intersect again.
PICT0005
KY 160 joins KY 15 in Knott County.
PICT0006
Both KY 15 and KY 160 are signed as southbound routes here. In the past, KY 160 was signed as an east-west route.
PICT0007
Directional duplicity in Letcher County -- KY 7 has rejoined KY 15 and is going north while KY 15 and KY 160 are going south.
PICT0008
Split of KY 160 and KY 15. KY 1811 is the old route of KY 160 over to the old alignment of KY 15, which runs to the east of the existing route.
PICT0009
The end of KY 15 at US 119 in Whitesburg. This is the northern end of US 119's crossing of Pine Mountain.
PICT0010
Guide sign for upcoming US 23 intersection on northbound US 119 as the route climbs toward Payne Gap.
PICT0011
Guide sign for US 23 and surface junction sign.
PICT0012
Overheads for US 23 and US 119.
PICT0013
Heading south on US 23, climbing to Pound Gap and the Virginia state line.
PICT0014
Approaching the state line on US 23.
PICT0015
The first of the many warning signs a driver encounters upon entering Virginia on US 23.
PICT0016
The first US 23 marker and mileage sign in Virginia.
PICT0017
Another warning sign.
PICT0018
And yet another....
PICT0019
Route number and directional mile markers have been installed on US 23. This is the first of the markers, located near Pound.
PICT0020
VA 83 is finally mentioned on US 23. The state primary route ends in downtown Pound, at Business US 23. The marker is at the southern end of the business route, which makes little sense for southbound drivers. Their best option would be to take the business route south from US 23 into town.
PICT0021
The actual markers at the end of Business 23 at Pound.
PICT0022
Every two-tenths of a mile, from Mile 56 south to the Tennessee state line, these markers have been installed.
PICT0023
US 23 marker and mileage sign south of Pound.
PICT0024
Milepoint 55 on US 23.
PICT0025
Another two-tenths mile marker.
PICT0026
A typical section of US 23 south of Pound. The original alignment is now the southbound lanes, the northbound lanes at left are newer construction.
PICT0027
South of Wise, this US 23 sign and mileage sign can be found. Coeburn and St. Paul are reached by eastbound Alternate US 58.
PICT0028
These US 23 signs near Wise carry a smaller font than normal.
PICT0029
These signs, with a smaller than usual font, are at the southern end of the Business 23 loop through Wise.
PICT0030
Funny -- Norton was 4 miles away a few miles back!
PICT0031
Approaching Norton.
PICT0032
Guide signage for the Norton exit on US 23. What's signed as Business 58 is actually Business Alternate 58.
PICT0033
This surface signage shows a rare "dual bannered" US route, Business Alternate US 58. Technically, the "Business" banner should be atop the "Alternate" banner.
PICT0034
Alternate US 58 joins US 23 at the Norton exit. Eastbound Alt 58 goes to Coeburn, St. Paul and eventually Abingdon.
PICT0035
First US 23 and Alternate US 58 markers after the routes join.
PICT0036
Signage for the Kentucky Avenue exit at Norton shows only Business 58, not Business Alternate 58.
PICT0037
US 23 and Alt US 58 sign with mileage board south of Norton.
PICT0038
Northbound US 23 traffic has access to an overlook for a scenic view of the Powell River valley.
PICT0039
Fencing has been installed to prevent rockfalls on the descent. This was the last portion of US 23 to be four-laned in Virginia.
PICT0040
Another view of the rockfall fencing. A netting has been placed over the slope in addition to vertical fencing to keep rocks from tumbling out on to the roadway.
PICT0041
This mile marker is ounted to one of the fence posts.
PICT0042
US 23 has been designated "The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail" and also as the "Country Music Highway," taking a page from Kentucky in that regard.
PICT0043
Nearing Big Stone Gap and the split of US 23 and Alt US 58, the font size for the US 58 sign is different than that for the US 23 shield.
PICT0044
More font size disparity.
PICT0045
And still more font size disparity.
PICT0046
Advance signage for the upcoming split of Alt 58 and 23. This is where the old alignment of US 23 between Norton and Big Stone Gap, now carrying the business designation, rejoins mainline US 23.
PICT0047
Alt US 58 splits from US 23 at a folded diamond interchange.
PICT0048
During its run through Virginia, US 23 intersects only two primary state routes. One of them is VA 387, which is the entrance to Mountain Empire Community College.
PICT0049
VA 387's terminus at US 23.
PICT0050
US 23 gets ready to enter Lee County.
PICT0051
Check out the mileage differences in this sign and the previous one. You've gotten five miles closer to Gate City and Kingsport, but only four miles closer to Duffield.
PICT0052
US 23 picks up US 58 and US 421 at Duffield and runs concurrently with them to Gate City, almost all the way to the Tennessee line.
PICT0053
No mention of US 58 east/US 421 south joining US 23 at the intersection.
PICT0054
First mileage sign and route markers for the combined routes of US 23/58/421. Notice the unusually wide spacing between the digits of the two 2DUS routes.
PICT0055
The second Virginia state primary route that US 23 encounters is VA 65.
PICT0056
VA 65's southern terminus.
PICT0057
Another mileage sign and route markers for the three US routes.
PICT0058
Getting closer to Gate City, and only 11.2 miles from the Tennessee line.
PICT0059
Business routes for the three US highways split from the four-lane west of Gate City and join the old alignment through town.
PICT0060
Ramp signage from United States Federal Routes 23, 58 and 421 to Business United States Federal Routes 23, 58 and 421 outside Gate City.
PICT0061
Beyond the business route split, the three US routes still run together.
PICT0062
On the south side of Gate City, the business route loop reconnects with the four-lane.
PICT0063
Four miles from the Tennessee line.
PICT0064
Moss is growing on these signs with a northern exposure where US 58 and US 421 split from US 23 and head toward Bristol.
PICT0065
The last US 23 marker and mileage sign lists Asheville as a destination. The mileage to Asheville has decreased as a result of the opening of new I-26 in North Carolina.
PICT0066
Approaching the state line and the beginning of the US 23 freeway in Tennessee.
PICT0067
Entering Tennessee on US 23.
PICT0068
Overheads where US 23 leaves the surface four-lane and joins the freeway. Although Interstate 181 has been replaced with I-26, the signage has not been changed.
PICT0069
The first US 23 sign in Tennessee. Much of this portion of the route features a noise barrier wall, a portion of which can be seen at right.
PICT0070
Exit numbers have not changed along the US 23 freeway in Tennessee.
PICT0071
The official beginning of the interstate portion of the US 23 freeway is the US 11W exit.
PICT0072
Although the exits have not been renumbered and the I-181 signs have not been replaced on the freeway north of I-81, the mile markers have. This mile marker is in the middle of the overpass crossing US 11W and the numbers count upward to the North Carolina border.
PICT0073
Long bridge on US 23/I-181 (I-26) beyond the US 11W exit.
PICT0074
I-181 is still very much present despite the change to I-26.
PICT0075
Looking south toward the TN 93 exit.
PICT0076
Cable barriers are being installed along the freeway between Kingsport and Johnson City.
PICT0077
Approaching I-81.
PICT0078
Drawing closer to I-81.
PICT0079
Overheads for the I-81 ramps are mounted on an overpass just north of the interstate.
PICT0080
The first I-26 signage doesn't appear until south of I-81.
PICT0081
When the exit numbers are changed, this will become Exit 13. TN 75 is not to be confused with I-75, since Tennessee allows duplicate numbers of state or US highways with Interstate highways.
PICT0082
Looking at the busy State of Franklin Road exit.
PICT0083
These US 11E and 19W shields replaced ones that for years had smaller subscript letters. Unfortuantely I was never able to get a good picture of that sign when I traveled through the area, before it was replaced.
PICT0084
Exit 35. This is where US 19W joins the freeway.
PICT0085
First signage with both US 23 and US 19W mentioned.
PICT0086
For years, I-181 ended at this exit, for US 321, although the freeway continued on to the south.
PICT0087
Typical view of I-26 south of Erwin.
PICT0088
Approaching the exit where US 19W departs the freeway.
PICT0089
The ramp for US 19W begins on a bridge. TN Secondary 352 runs partly on the old alignment of US 23.
PICT0090
A rockfall retaining fence has been installed beyond the US 19W exit.
PICT0091
Typical view of I-26 heading south toward North Carolina.
PICT0092
A look at the Flag Pond exit.
PICT0093
The last I-26 and US 23 signs in Tennessee.
PICT0094
Climbing toward Sams Gap, this sign alerts drivers to the possibility of fog once they cross into North Carolina.
PICT0095
Climbing toward Sams Gap, a retaining fence has been installed on the benched cut.
PICT0096
Crossing into North Carolina. Trucks do not have to stop as they pull through the information station, they're just required to slow down.
PICT0097
North Carolina has unique oversized county welcome signs along its interstates.
PICT0098
The speed limit in North Carolina on the new stretch of I-26 has been increased to 60 mph from the 55 mph it was originally signed at when it opened.
PICT0099
The first I-26 sign in North Carolina. Although US 23 still continues on this route, officially, it is not signed.
PICT0100
Most of the old alignment of US 23 in North Carolina has been renumbered as US 23A. The new alternate route begins at the Wolf Laurel exit.
PICT0101
A view of the first truck ramp on I-26 with the Wolf Laurel exit in the distance.
PICT0102
This sign originally read "To US 23" when the road first opened.
PICT0103
At the bottom of the ramp, US 23A is routed onto Bear Branch Road.
PICT0104
Crossing under the bridge, US 23 is signed on the freeway.
PICT0105
Where Bear Branch Road runs into old US 23, the alternate route is signed. The directional banner looks like a botched attempt at using one of the "larger initial letter" signs. The old route north of this intersection is not signed with a route number.
PICT0106
Old US 23 is now signed as US 23A -- or as North Carolina commonly signs its suffixed routes, US 23-A, using a hyphen.
PICT0107
Looking north on US 23A, this signage shows the alternate route turning onto Bear Branch Road.
PICT0108
Looking at the northern end of US 23A, with the interstate bridge in the distance.
PICT0109
Signage at the ramp to westbound I-26/northbound US 23.
PICT0110
Signage at the ramp to eastbound I-26/US 23.
PICT0111
Even beyond Bear Branch Road and the Wolf Laurel exit, no mention of US 23.
PICT0112
Overhead signage for the US 19/US 23A exit and the end of "official" I-26 as it now exists.
PICT0113
More overhead signage as the three-lane portion of I-26 drops to two lanes. Notice the change in pavement from concrete to asphalt beyond the bridge in the background.
PICT0114
This exit constitutes the southern end of US 23A.
PICT0115
Exit signage for NC 213.
PICT0116
Beyond the US 19 exit, there is no mention of I-26. However, there is an "Appalachian Highway" designation on the route.
PICT0117
Exit signage at Mars Hill.
PICT0118
Still no mention of I-26 beyond the Mars Hill exit.
PICT0119
Exit numbers have been installed on the US 19/23 freeway to show what the exit numbers will be when the route is fully converted to I-26.
PICT0120
Typical view of the US 19/23/Future I-26 freeway.
PICT0121
The first mention of this route as Future I-26 comes beyond the Jupiter exit.
PICT0122
Another typical view of this freeway, at Exit 17.
PICT0123
Surface junction signage and Future I-26 signage approaching the Weaverville exit.
PICT0124
Approaching the exit where US 25 and US 70 join the freeway.
PICT0125
North US 25 and West US 70 head to Marshall, and on to Hot Springs and Newport, Tenn., where US 25 splits into its E and W routes. South US 25/East US 70 join the freeway to head to Asheville.
PICT0126
The four US routes and Future I-26 signage.
PICT0127
Typical view of US 19/23/25/70 and Future I-26.
PICT0128
The four US routes signed with no directional markers.
PICT0129
US 25 departs the freeway to run through downtown Asheville.
PICT0130
Typically, North Carolina would install the route signage above the guide sign, but they have not done so along this freeway, where Business US 19 and US 25 have exits.
PICT0131
Minus US 25, the three US routes and future interstate continue south.
PICT0132
Seems like a waste of lettering here -- everyone in the area knows what UNC-A means.
PICT0133
Exit 25 signage.
PICT0134
First mention of I-240.
PICT0135
A surface I-240 junction sign next to a new guide sign for I-26.
PICT0136
I-26 traffic is directed to the right lane. The I-240 interchange and French Broad River crossing will have to be rebuilt to bring this route to current interstate standards.
PICT0137
Guide signage for i-240. I-26 east follows this path as well.
PICT0138
Surface signage for I-26 and I-40 includes a state name shield for I-26. The two leftmost overhead guide signs are relics from an earlier generation, as can be seen in the next photo.
PICT0139
Look closely at the US 70 sign and you will see a black border. The arrows are also outlined in button copy.
PICT0140
Surface signage at the exit gore where the US 19/23 freeway runs into I-240. These US 74-A signs are the first mention of that highway.
PICT0141
I-240, US 19 and US 23 signage as the route prepares to cross the French Broad River.
PICT0142
Overheads at the end of the French Broad River bridge for US 19/23 and I-240/26/40.
PICT0143
Surface signage for Blue Ridge Parkway.
PICT0144
Overheads where I-26 and I-240 split from US 19/23.
PICT0145
These overheads are for a collector ramp from northbound US 19/23 to westbound I-240/eastbound I-26.
PICT0146
There is a business route for US 19 and US 23 on the western side of Asheville.
PICT0147
I-26 is signed but I-240 is absent here.
PICT0148
Surface signage for Blue Ridge Parkway as I-240/I-26 approaches Exit 2.
PICT0149
This one is a definite Road Sign Math submission.
PICT0150
This is I-26, as well as I-240, but it's still signed as "To I-26."
PICT0151
Darnthat light post -- there is no direct connection from I-240 west/I-26 east to I-40 east. So traffic has to use a short portion of NC 191 to make that connection.
PICT0152
Another guide sign for the upcoming exit.
PICT0153
Overheads at the NC 191 exit with a good view of the exit and advance signage for I-26 and I-40.
PICT0154
This is I-26 east but the signage from back before the extension of the route still suffices.
PICT0155
Surface signage as I-240 approaches its western terminus.
PICT0156
Overheads for I-26 and I-40 at I-240's terminus, with Blue Ridge Parkway surface logo signage visible.
PICT0157
More overheads at the split. No mention of US 74 on the overheads, but at this exit US 74 transitions from I-40 to I-26.
PICT0158
First I-26 and US 74 signage beyond the I-40 ramp.
PICT0159
This state name I-26 shield, located on the left-hand side of the road before the ramp from eastbound I-40 merges in, is the last mainline state name shield to be found on I-26 between I-40 and the US 25 Greenville exit. A few years ago there was another such shield paired with a US 74 shield, several miles past, but it has been replaced.
PICT0160
For years, this was the first exit on I-26, as noted by the "Old Exit 2" tab.
PICT0161
I-26 and US 74 signage.
PICT0162
Signage at Exit 2.
PICT0163
An oversized Truck US 64 sign dwarfs the neighboring US 74 sign. Truck US 64 runs from the US 64/I-26 interchange along I-26, I-40 and US 74 to bypass a mountainous portion of US 64 in the southwestern part of North Carolina.
PICT0164
Approaching the Blue Ridge Parkway underpass on I-26.
PICT0165
At the BRP underpass.
PICT0166
Old Exit 6, now Exit 37, is for NC 146.
PICT0167
This sign for NC 280 is for secondary destinations for that exit.
PICT0168
This sign posts the primary destinations for NC 280. In Kentucky, the towns (Arden and Brevard) would be listed here and the supplemental destinations (airport and WNC Ag Center) would have been listed on a supplemental sign.
PICT0169
US 25 has been routed onto I-26 between this exit and the old NC 225 exit for Greenville. The old route carries a business designation.
PICT0170
Overheads for Exit 44, where US 25 south joins I-26.
PICT0171
THe first surface signage that incorporates US 25 into the I-26/US 74 routing.
PICT0172
Overheads for the US 64 exit at Hendersonville.
PICT0173
Advance signage for the split of US 25 and I-26. There is no exit number tab on this sign.
PICT0174
Overheads at the Eastern Continental Divide where US 25 departs I-26.
PICT0175
Destination sign for Greenville on US 25.
PICT0176
THe first US 25 marker after the route departs I-26 is located nine miles north of the state line.
PICT0177
The ramp in the center of the photo brings traffic from westbound I-26 to southbound US 25. The first few miles of this route are a two-lane surface highway.
PICT0178
This short portion of highway was originally NC 225. When US 25 was routed along this portion, the old US 25 route through Hendersonville was given the business designation. At Hendersonville, part of the old US 25 route was switched out to become NC 225 and the business route for US 25 was routed along US 176.
PICT0179
The exit signage at the US 176 interchange. This portion of US 25 is still a two-lane route.
PICT0180
US 25 marker at the US 176 exit.
PICT0181
At the end of the ramp at Exit 7 is an indication that US 176 has not been truncated to the US 25 exit, but continues on into Hendersonville, concurrent with Business US 25.
PICT0182
This signage is just beyond the ramp from westbound US 176 to northbound US 25.
PICT0183
These signs, located past the ramp entrance to south US 25, shows that US 176 continues west from this exit on in to Hendersonville.
PICT0184
US 25 expands from two to four lanes south of the US 176 exit.
PICT0185
This exit is where US 25 used to join the freeway before it was routed onto I-26.
PICT0186
US 25 carries an "Appalachian Highway" banner.
PICT0187
Typical four-lane section of US 25. This is just south of the NC 225 overpass.
PICT0188
Mileage sign for Greenville.
PICT0189
Since North Carolina doesn't sign its four-digit routes with the typical state route diamond sign, a text-based indicator is used for the route number.
PICT0190
The last exit in North Carolina on US 25 southbound. Going north, the signage is for NC 225.
PICT0192
Entering South Carolina on US 25.
PICT0193
The first US 25 sign in South Carolina.
PICT0194
Looking south on US 25 just past the state line, descending from the Appalachian Mountains.
PICT0195
An unusual "side road' sign.
PICT0196
Another view of US 25. The jersey barrier in the center of the road has been foregone in favor of a depressed median.
PICT0197
Advance signage for the intersection of SC 11.
PICT0198
Signage at the ramp from US 25 to SC 11. The two highways are grade-separated and single two-lane loop ramp connects them.
PICT0199
When my wife went to Greenville in November 2006, it was getting dark as she approached town on US 25. She complained about the poor signage on this road but mentioned all the "Do Not Enter" signs for southbound traffic, cautioning them from entering the northbound lanes.
PICT0200
SC 414 crosses US 25 in an odd configuration, making this sign not quite accurate.
PICT0201
Advance turn signage for SC 414 east.
PICT0202
This photo shows the "dogleg" configuration of how SC 414 crosses US 25.
PICT0203
West SC 414.
PICT0204
Advance junction sign for SC 290.
PICT0205
SC 290 offers a connection from US 25 to Greer. Greer is located on US 29 between Greenville and Spartanburg.
PICT0206
The old routing of US 25 went through downtown Travelers Rest. Now the route bypasses downtown.
PICT0207
This sign at the point where old US 25 heads into Travelers Rest shows that US 25 heads toward Greenville.
PICT0208
At the spot where old US 25 runs back into the current alignment, this signage is present.
PICT0209
Approaching the split of US 25 and US 276. US 276 traffic does a "weave" on the short multiplex.
PICT0211
US 25 is signed as the route to I-85. There is also signage for Atlanta at this intersection, which is accessed via I-85 south.
PICT0212
Overheads for US 276 and US 25 are strung across the highway at the exit/split.
PICT0213
Route signage in the exit gore.
PICT0214
East US 276 sign located under the US 25 overpass.
PICT0215
This is the beginning of I-385. At the US 276 interchange, SC 183 (North Street) transitions to I-385.
PICT0216
Heading north on I-385, this sign signifies the end of the freeway as the interstate transitions to SC 183, North Street.
PICT0217
This US 123 marker is posted on North Street in Greenville, just past the end of I-385.
PICT0218
The Bi-Lo Center, site of the Duran Duran concert my wife attended in November 2006. This is on Academy Street nearing the end of US 123.
PICT0219
This is tne end of US 123. There is no end signage posted. US 123, Academy Street, comes to an end at North Street, SC 183. This is about three blocks from SC 183's transition to I-385.
PICT0220
Another shot of the beginning of I-385.
PICT0221
South Carolina's new guide sign installations feature a black border around state and US route shields.
PICT0222
I-385 sign with the state name.
PICT0223
I-385 in Greenville features California-like mileage signs in the middle of the road.
PICT0224
Overheads at I-385's intersection with SC 291.
PICT0225
Overheads at the Roper Mountain Road exit on I-385 and advance signage for the I-85 interchange.
PICT0227
I-85 state name shields at the interchange with SC 146, Woodruff Road.
PICT0228
Closeup shot of I-385 state name shield on SC 146.
PICT0229
There is not full access from westbound US 276, Stone Avenue, to US 29. Westbound traffic can access only northbound US 29.
PICT0230
Unusual US 276 shield where the route turns from Stone Avenue onto Rutherford Street.
PICT0231
Another view of the US 276 shield with a "To US 25" sign in the background. US 25 has not run through Greenville proper for several years.
PICT0232
Old mileage sign for Furman Univ., Travelers Rest and Asheville on westbound US 276 heading out of Greenville.
PICT0233
US 276 is also signed as an access route to US 25 in the Furman University campus area.
PICT0234
Drivers heading west on US 276 have two opportunities to merge onto US 25 north.
PICT0235
Junction signage for US 25.
PICT0236
The ramp from US 276 to US 25, with the bridge in the background. If traffic misses this ramp, they have another chance to merge onto US 25 a little further down the road.
PICT0237
Mileage sign for Asheville on US 25.
PICT0238
Typical view of US 25 north of Travelers Rest, heading into the mountains.
PICT0239
Advance signage for SC 290 on northbound US 25.
PICT0240
Another shot of US 25 with the mountains in the background.
PICT0241
Junction signage for SC 414 and US 25.
PICT0242
Arrow and mileage sign for Asheville.
PICT0243
Another shot of US 25 in the foothills.
PICT0244
In the distance is the SC 11 overpass.
PICT0245
Closeup shot of the SC 11 and Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway sign.
PICT0246
Signage at the ramp from US 25 to SC 11. While the I-26 shield has the state name of South Carolina, the intersection is in North Carolina.
PICT0247
US 25 signage at one of the last turnoffs before the state line, onto an old alignment.
PICT0248
Directional signage for Hendersonville and Asheville.
PICT0249
Another view of US 25, heading deeper into the hills.
PICT0250
Heading north through the foothills.
PICT0251
Getting ready to start the climb to the state line.
PICT0252
Heading north toward the state line.
PICT0253
Another shot as US 25 climbs into the Appalachians.
PICT0254
North Carolina state line on US 25.
PICT0255
The first US 25 marker in North Carolina carries the "Appalachian Highway" designation.
PICT0256
The first exit for US 25 in North Carolina is NC 225, which is an old alignment of US 25. Heading south, this is signed as SR 1104.
PICT0257
At Exit 1.
PICT0258
Exit 5 is again for NC 225.
PICT0259
At Exit 5.
PICT0260
This is the spot where US 25 used to depart the freeway and NC 225 took over for the journey up to I-26. the exit is seen along with the overhead signage.
PICT0261
US 25 goes from four lanes down to two.
PICT0262
Advance signage for the US 176 and Business US 25 exit.
PICT0263
At Exit 7.
PICT0264
North US 25 and To I-26 signs posted immediately after the Exit 7 ramp.
PICT0265
US 25 divides just prior to the I-26 intersection.
PICT0266
Advance signage for the I-26 options.
PICT0267
At the split for I-26 east or west.
PICT0268
Merging onto I-26 at the Eastern Continental Divide.
PICT0269
US 25 has joined I-26 and US 74, which was not mentioned at the end of the US 25 route.
PICT0270
Overheads for US 64, with no mention of US 74 to go with I-26 and US 25.
PICT0271
Approaching the exit where US 25 leaves the interstate.
PICT0272
Signage at the exit is obscured by eulalie grass.
PICT0273
Approaching I-240 and what was formerly the end of I-26. Hickory is used as the control city for I-40 eastbound here; at the other terminus of I-240, Statesville is used.
PICT0274
Overheads showing lane designations for I-40 adn I-240. A surface sign also shows the US 74 routing.
PICT0275
This sign recognized the US routes that share pavement with future I-26 on the freeway north of Asheville.
PICT0276
Overheads at the I-40 exit.
PICT0277
More overheads.
PICT0278
The first I-240 shield.
PICT0279
An oversized I-26 sign dwarfs the I-240 marker.
PICT0280
Looking westbound on I-240, eastbound on I-26, at Exit 2, for Business US 19/23.
PICT0281
Overheads for Exit 2 and Exit 3.
PICT0282
This sign indicates the exit that I-26 traffic should take, but it doesn't indicate the complexity of the maneuver that is required to stay on the route. Traffic must weave across three lanes to reach the ramp.
PICT0283
Business US 19/23 have joined I-240 and I-26.
PICT0284
I-26 traffic is directed to move to the left lane for the upcoming French Broad River crossing and the exit ramp.
PICT0285
US 19 and US 23 traffic must also execute the same weave.
PICT0286
Overheads at Exit 3, where US 19/23 join I-26/240.
PICT0287
Overheads with an I-26 sign placed atop, with a notation that I-26 traffic should move to the far left lane. If you look closely, in the left lane you can see the remnants of a red and blue I-26 shield on the pavement.
PICT0288
Getting ready to cross the French Broad River with overhead signage for the various routes involved at Exit 4. Look closely in the left lane and you will see another I-26 shield painted on the pavement. Traffic continuing west on I-26, or north on US 19/23/west on US 70, must move from the right lane to the far left lane in the short distance of the bridge crossing.
PICT0289
Overheads at Exit 4. The steep curved ramp to stay on I-26 can be seen in the distance.
PICT0290
Overheads for I-240/US 70 and the Patton Avenue exit.
PICT0291
US 74-A seems to be the forgotten route when I-240 and US 19, 23 and 70 are considered in Asheville. However, it's signed here.
PICT0292
Overheads for US 25, US 70, US 74-A and NC 694 on I-240 westbound.
PICT0293
Overhead for Exit 5B.
PICT0294
Overheads for Exit 7.
PICT0295
Overheads for Exits 8 and 9. Here, Statesville instead of Hickory is control city for I-40 east.
PICT0296
Surface signage at the end of I-240.
PICT0297
Overheads at the end of I-240.
PICT0298
Overheads where US 74-A continues on and the ramp for I-40 west turns right.
PICT0299
Back on I-40, the exit for US 25A.
PICT0300
Overheads for the US 25 exit.
PICT0301
Overheads for Exit 46 and 47. There is no connection from I-40 east to I-240 west, so traffic has to use NC 191. There should be a mention of I-26 west on this sign as well.
PICT0302
Approaching Exit 47.
PICT0303
Overheads at Exit 47.
PICT0304
Signs at the end of the ramp from I-40 to NC 191 don't mention I-26.
PICT0305
At NC 191's intersection with I-240, I-26 signs are on display.
PICT0306
These signs indicate movements for travelers wanting to use I-240 west/I-26 east.
PICT0307
Another shot of the French Broad River bridge and the overheads for Exit 4 on I-240. This perspective is from the far left lane, which I-26 traffic must follow.
PICT0308
Overheads at the exit.
PICT0309
Future I-26 is signed along with US 19, 23 and 70.
PICT0310
Future I-26 is signed as the "Appalachian Highway" and also is known as the Morris McGough Freeway.
PICT0312
US 19/23/70 and Future I-26 signage.
PICT0313
A Future I-26 sign accompanies surface signage for the intersection where US 25 joins the freeway.
PICT0314
Surface signage at Exit 23 indicates US 25's movements at the interchange.
PICT0315
Signage for all four US routes on the freeway.
PICT0316
Directional signage for the four US routes, along with a Future I-26 shield.
PICT0317
Mileage sign for Burnsville (reached via US 19) and Johnson City.
PICT0318
Typical view of the freeway looking north toward Tennessee, with signage for the departure of US 25/70 in the background.
PICT0319
Advance signage for the split of US 25 and US 70 from the freeway.
PICT0320
Overheads at Exit 19. The old routing of US 25/70 took those road into Weaverville to intersect the old routing of US 19/23.
PICT0321
Overhead sign for the cloverleaf loop that takes US 25/70 from the freeway to the crossing route.
PICT0322
After getting on US 25/70, Future I-26 is still signed.
PICT0323
This signage also indicates the movements of US 25 and 70.
PICT0324
US 25 and 70 markers. The two routes are combined from here to Newport, Tenn., then after US 25 splits, US 70 runs concurrently with US 25W to Knoxville.
PICT0325
Mileage to Marshall and Hot Springs.
PICT0326
Typical view of the four-lane US 25/70 approaching Marshall.
PICT0327
In the distance is the turnoff for the business routes of US 25/70, going to Marshall.
PICT0328
The bypass around Marshall is signed as such.
PICT0329
Business US 25/70 signage.
PICT0330
Intersection of NC 251 and US 25/70.
PICT0331
Truck warning sign, with that seemingly-redundant phrase, "No Permitted Trucks Allowed."
PICT0332
The bypass of Marshall goes from a four-lane to a three-lane road.
PICT0333
Advance signage for the intersection of NC 213.
PICT0334
NC 213 at US 25/70.
PICT0335
NC 213 and Bypass US 25/70. NC 213 seems to vanish into thin air. It joins US 25/70 but this is the last sign indicating the route's presence.
PICT0336
No mention of NC 213 on these signs.
PICT0337
Truck warning as the Marshall bypass comes to an end and US 25/70 head toward Hot Springs.
PICT0338
At the end of the Marshall bypass, the winding nature of the two-lane road is evident.
PICT0339
Mileage sign beyond the NC 208 intersection.
PICT0340
An overpass carries the Appalachian Trail across US 25/70 in one of the areas where some spot improvements have been made.
PICT0341
There are truck lanes for both downhill and uphill traffic as US 25/70 approaches Hot Springs.
PICT0342
From the Department of Redundancy Department -- NCDOT has several signs on crossings of streams that feed into the French Broad River, noting they are part of that river's basin. Including, oddly enough, the French Broad itself.
PICT0343
NC 209, I-40 and US 25/70 signage in Hot Springs.
PICT0344
US 25/70 carry traffic from Hot Springs to Newport, Tenn.
PICT0345
Entering Tennessee.
PICT0346
The first US 25/70 signs in Tennessee.
PICT0347
Mileage to Newport and Knoxville.
PICT0348
This narrow bridge crosses the French Broad River.
PICT0349
TN 107 markers.
PICT0350
Another French Broad crossing, this one is just outside Newport.
PICT0351
Closeup of US 321 marker in Newport. This was US 411 up until the early 1980s.
PICT0352
US 321 joins US 25/70 for a few blocks in downtown Newport. This results in a wrong-way multiplex of South US 321 and North US 25.
PICT0353
TN 32 is the hidden state route for US 25E. It comes into Newport co-signed with US 321 and then disappears.
PICT0354
Advance signage for TN 32 and US 321.
PICT0355
This sign indicates the turn onto US 321/TN 32.
PICT0356
Looking north on US 321, this indicates the wrong-way multiplex.
PICT0357
The split of US 25 into US 25E and 25W.
PICT0358
The first northbound US 25E sign.
PICT0359
This overhead is for the TN 160 exit on the Morristown bypass.
PICT0360
Guide sign for the upcoming US 11E eixts.
PICT0361
Overheads for US 11E, showing a brief multiplex with US 25E.
PICT0362
Overhead where US 11E splits off US 25E after a multiplex consisting of a bridge over a railroad.
PICT0363
Advance sign for the intersection with US 11W at Bean Station.
PICT0364
Overheads where US 11W joins US 25E. This is interesting because there is a wrong-way multiplex and it involves both E and W suffixed routes. Clinch Mountain is in the background.
PICT0365
I can never resist photographing this sign every time I pass it.
PICT0366
Exit signage where US 11W departs US 25E.
PICT0367
A construction zone at the end of the US 25E four-lane on the northern side of Clinch Mountain. When this construction is finished, US 25E will be four lanes all the way from I-75 to I-81.
PICT0368
This bridge under construction will cross the Clinch River at the Claiborne-Grainger county line.
PICT0369
A view of the rock fill and barrier wall in the construction zone.

Back to the Millennium Highway Roadtrips Page