As I embark on my journey west, I’ll be starting on I-40. Because of that and because I’ve got a new guide coming out that details all of the ways one can go in and out of the state, with a bit of humor and insight on best routes, today we talk about I-40 before I give you a bit of news.
I-40 is your best bet to see the entire topography of the state at once (if you really want to see the entire state on one road, US 64 will do that for you, but more on it later). Starting at the Tennessee state line in Haywood County and ending in Wilmington, I-40 is 425 miles worth of mountains to sea goodness. Ok, maybe not all the way to the sea, but close enough and you do get legitimate Piedmont access. In addition to going through Greensboro, Wilmington, Raleigh and Winston-Salem (pictured above), you also get road access to Asheville. If you are using I-40 to get to the state, more than likely you are coming from the west, maybe as far as Barstow, California, the western terminus. From there you’ll catch Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Nashville as well.
I-40 has an interesting history in the state. While the first piece of the entire interstate was built in North Carolina, it’s only been completed throughout the state since 1990. Then again, that first piece, through the Pigeon River Gorge, took 12 years to finish. If you think that’s special, you have no idea. Pre-order Get Around North Carolina and you’ll find out more about how I-40 developed its unique alignment.
And now your news:
Sunday hunting could be a thing soon.
No more Natty Greene’s in Raleigh.
Folks at UNC-Asheville want this building re-named.
Governor McCrory has signed a bill giving all veterans automatic in-state tuition at UNC system schools. Before veterans had to wait 12 months.
And finally, a second polar bear is coming to the NC Zoo.
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