Anyone wanting a senic route that takes less than two hours from Hickory let me know. I've hauled my car and did ok, the worste strech of 181, north of Morganton has been straightened quite a bit more since then. Besides I was pulling with a Chevy 350 TBI w/ over 250K on her.
Directions:
I-40 west to Hwy 18 north (Morganton downtown exit) stay on 18N through town and it turns into 181 North. Go till you see the stop sign in Pineola. Turn left onto 220, travel 1 mile or less till you get to 19E, turn back (hard right) this turns into 11E in Tenn. Yeild right and look for the dragstip signs.
This takes you by the "White Way Grill"!!! I stopped to take a picture, but never felt the need to give them my business.
Ryan