Fancy Gap

[Kevinz]

Hi, brother,
If I drive from ON, Canada to FL, NC or SC,
how can I avoid FANCY GAP (I-77) and have a safe trip?

Thanks a lot!

[ThumperS25]

you looking to avoid the toll or just the scary hills? What part of florida are you going to?
I75 south to florida However you have Jelico Mountain in TN. The fastest most direct route to you destination is I77. Any road in that part of the country is going to have hills.

[Kevinz]

I try to avoid the fogy scary hill--Fancy Gap not toll road.

[Kevinz]

Does I85, I95, I26 or I75 safer than I77 ?

Thanks Brothers!

[ThumperS25]

They all have their own unique problems. I95 is highly congested. I26 has smokey(foggy) moutain tops just as much as fancy gap. Maybe not so curvey. I guess you can take I95 down to florida. A little longer of a drive. If fuel and time isnt a factor go for it.

[Kevinz]

Thank you Sir, compair I 75 and I 77, which one is safer, better?

[GMAN]

You probably have fewer steep hills on I-75. You have one fairly long steep climb in North Tennessee, but not much other than that. You have hills in Kentucky, but nothing too challenging. You will have mountains no matter which way you go. I would say you will have more hills or mountains to deal with on I-77. You also have some tolls on I-77 in W. VA, as I recall.

[Snowman7]

How many times have you traveled 77 and Fancy Gap? I think if you do it a couple more times it would get better for you. I used to run it once or twice a week between Oh and the Carolinas. I actually enjoy it. Beautiful view and alot more intersting then holding a steering wheel for hundreds of miles. Kind of breaks things up. And I was heavy too. I was the guy with the flashers on up hill going 35 mph. You cant be impatient, enjoy the moment, you'll get there when you get there. I understand the fog part but that sucks no matter where you are. Its not foggy everytime, maybe you hit it at a bad time? I guess I just enjoy a challenge from time to time. I like 2 lane state routes thru small towns too. Interstates are boring but necessary from a time standpoint.

[Roadhog]

I-75 will fit your needs for what it sounds you are looking for. I never have had a problem traveling any of these roads...so I am somewhat uncertain what the stress is about.

Maybe you drove through there one time it was heavy fog....we all do, from time to time. Hell...I can run into dense fog...even up here in Michigan. I frequently see it crossing Illinois on Hwy. 80...or even freezing fog on Hwy. 90 through S. Dakota.

anyway...just take I-75...and you will be happy with that choice.
Happy Trails.

[Jackrabbit379]

Well, if Fancy Gap is anything like Wolf Creek Pass, you got trouble coming. :P :?

[Mr. Ford95]

There is nothing bad about Fancy Gap, just foggy and windy now and then. That is the same with a lot of mountain passes.

[silvan]

There is nothing bad about Fancy Gap, just foggy and windy now and then. That is the same with a lot of mountain passes.

It's not always foggy, and not always windy. I've been off Fancy Gap... 1,040 times. Only got scared about 4-5 times in all that.

[Jumbo]

Well, if Fancy Gap is anything like Wolf Creek Pass, you got trouble coming. :P :?

Yeah becuase there a tunnel with clearence to the twelve foot line.

[redsfan]

There is nothing bad about Fancy Gap, just foggy and windy now and then. That is the same with a lot of mountain passes.

I agree whole-heartedly. In the mountain drop department, Fancy Gap actually comes in kinda lame. Choose the right gear and don't get in a hurry and you'll be just fine. I just went down it last week with 32K pounds in the box and no jake and had zero problems. Respect it, but you don't necessarily have to fear it.

Of course, you will always have some idiot who thinks he can fly down it in road gear relying on nothing, but his jake brake to slow him down. That's usually true in any mountain pass.

[silvan]

[quote="redsfan"]

Of course, you will always have some idiot who thinks he can fly down it in road gear relying on nothing, but his jake brake to slow him down.

Frequently a smoothbore tanker with a hazmat load running 75+ down that thing.

Used to scare the hell out of me.

[BigBird01]

Something tells me he deserved to be banned lol. And soon to be banned again

[driver67373]

Where exactly is fancy gap? I'm still learning the names of a lot of the passes...also where is 4th of july pass?

[Templedawg]

Fancy gap isn't bad at all. You can hold 75 mph down it all the way, and still take the curves all the way. I ran Roanoke for 2 bid, 1 full year and went over Fancy Gap 4 nights a week, with doubles many times over 40,000+ and no jake. Very rarely were the brakes smoking at the bottom, except when a D&*$ Stevens Transport was coming down at 25 mph. Everybody rounded a corner and there he was almost stopped, just putting along. I have no problem if somebody feels like they need to go slower down a mountain, but if the speed limit for trucks is 65, and you are running 25 you better have the 4 ways on and be on the shoulder, because alot of drivers are coming down and letting it rip. I would avoid I-26 between Asheville and Tricities area if you do not like mountains. A couple of good ones on that stretch of road. The only suggestions about Fancy Gap, if there is a high wind advisory, don't take it. The wind really whips around there bad. Take us 220 out of Roanoke into Greensboro NC and run back into 85 and into 77 in Charlotte.

[Templedawg]

Fancy Gap is in Virginia, on I-77. As soon as you leave NC you start up the mountain. for 8 miles to the top. The southbound side gets to take advantage of gravity for about 3 miles into NC if you let it roll.

[coastie]

Fancey Gap is nothing at all. Go the shortest way you know. No big deal through any routes. I agree with what someone said That part on I77 does have a Great View.