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Travel Updates to Western North Carolina
Re-Opening and Reinventing Your Visit
Updated November 11, 2024
Welcome back to the mountains!
As we all navigate the reopening of Western North Carolina for travelers and locals, we would like to update those who wish to visit WNC this fall and holiday season. We have great news: much of our area is now open for business!
See more specific information below as of November 11, 2024 – providing alternative things to do and top attractions. We will continue to update, but please use the links below to see the most updated information.
Here are some tips and updates to consider for your trip to the mountains:
For the most up-to-date, statewide information, go to VisitNC.com. ​
​The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.
Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:
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Biltmore Estate - OPEN! Biltmore Christmas is on schedule
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Blue Ridge Parkway - CLOSED with partial openings. Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain closed, although this area through Asheville is now open: Brevard Road to the BRP Visitors Center (Asheville Commuter Section). Open: Further west, the Beech Gap entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) is at milepost 423.2 and is located at NC Highway 215, to Pisgah General Store. The Folk Art Center in Asheville is Open.
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The Arts - River Arts District - Soft Reopening as of November 10, there are galleries, shops, and some dining open.
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Biltmore Village - CLOSED for the foreseeable future. You can drive through the village, but it remains 95% closed.
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NC Arboretum - Currently OPEN, Winter Lights begins November 15 - December 31st)​​​
By Area / City / Town
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville - OPEN! See Explore Asheville to verify specific locations
Black Mountain - OPEN! See Visit Black Mountain and their Facebook page for updates.
Brevard - OPEN! See Explore Brevard to verify specific locations
Bryson City - OPEN! See Explore Bryson City to verify specific locations
Hendersonville - OPEN! See Visit Henderson to verify specific locations
Highlands / Cashiers - OPEN! See Highlands Chamber of Commerce to verify specific locations
Sylva / Cullowhee - OPEN! See Discover Jackson County to verify specific locations
Waynesville - OPEN! See Visit Haywood to verify specific locations
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​Burnsville - CLOSED until further notice
Lake Lure - CLOSED until further notice
Marshall - CLOSED until further notice
Spruce Pine - CLOSED until further notice
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Photo: Inside the historic Grove Arcade Downtown Asheville. Shop holiday gifts at the Makers Market, learn more here.
Outdoor Activities
For specific WNC trail status & updates for outdoor recreation areas, please refer to the US Forest Service website here.
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For all state park closures, go here.
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Asheville
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Asheville is considered OPEN - See more current updates on Visit Asheville Travel Update
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NC Arboretum OPEN as of Oct. 28
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Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum - (Nov. 15 - Jan. 1, 2025)
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North Asheville Beaver Lake - OPEN Bird Sanctuary + Nature Walk
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Bent Creek Forest - OPEN Asheville near the NC Arboretum
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City Parks - Some are OPEN, see current updates on the Buncombe County website
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Black Mountain
Black Mountain is considered OPEN - Please click on Black Mountain Recovery or Visit Black Mountain for more information about town specifics
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Brevard
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Brevard, NC is considered OPEN (except for Dupont State Forest).
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For specific outdoor adventure information and things to do in Brevard, go to Explore Brevard
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These outdoor recreation sites below are considered OPEN for outdoor adventure:
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Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, more info: Pisgah Ranger Station
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Pink Beds Trail - OPEN, only accessible through Brevard, NC
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Cradle of Forestry - OPEN, Updates are on their Facebook page
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Bracken Preserve in Brevard - OPEN
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Estatoe Trail (Hike/bike path near Downtown Brevard) - OPEN
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Dupont State Forest - OPEN
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Bryson City
Bryson City is considered OPEN - Please click on Explore Bryson City for more information about town specifics
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The top holiday attraction for the holidays is OPEN - Check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express which is running on a regular schedule this year
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is considered OPEN - Please click on Visit Henderson for more information about town specifics
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Waynesville
Waynesville is considered OPEN - Please click on Visit Haywood for more information about town specifics
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Weaverville
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Weaverville is considered OPEN - Town of Weaverville - Travel Updates
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For all Weaverville Recreation - Learn more here
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Nature Trail from Main Street - OPEN
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Lake Louise - Walking Trail​ - OPEN​​
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate Christmas - The Biltmore Estate is reopening Nov. 2 for Christmas at the Biltmore.
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Chihuly at the Biltmore Estate
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Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries
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Food & Drink
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville
Please see the most updated list on the Asheville Independent Restaurants website.
Another resources is Explore Asheville and AVL Today.
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Brevard
See restaurant updates here, Explore Brevard
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Black Mountain
See restaurant updates here, Visit Black Mountain​
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Bryson City
See restaurant updates here, Explore Bryson City
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Hendersonville
See restaurant updates here, Visit Hendersonville
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Waynesville
See restaurant updates here, Visit Haywood
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Weaverville
See restaurant updates here, Town of Weaverville
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Photo: at Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville, by Kara Dahlberg
Retail Therapy & Holiday Shopping
These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses. Please use the links to verify specific businesses' status or contact businesses directly for each area is providing their own timeline. Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
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Asheville
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Black Mountain
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Hendersonville
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Weaverville
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​​​​​​​​Waynesville
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Photo: Inside the Grove Arcade Downtown Asheville. Shop holiday gifts at the Makers Market, learn more here.
Confirmed Events & Top Attractions
NOVEMBER EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS​
Top event recommendations from us at Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:
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November 2nd - Biltmore Estate Reopens
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November 2 & 3 (10am - 5pm) - ART SAFARI in Weaverville
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November 29 (5pm - 8pm) - Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Carriage Rides.
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November 7 - November 30 - Bryson City Great Smoky Mountains Polar Express Train Ride begins
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November 9 - 10 - River Arts District Soft Opening 1.0, a vibrant celebration showcasing displaced artists, open studios and galleries, food trucks, and music
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November 15 - Dec. 31 - Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum
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November 23 (11a - 1pm) - Asheville Holiday Jamboree (no parade) in Downtown Asheville at Pack Square
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November 23 - January 5 - Gingerbread Competition, Follow the "Sugar & Spice" Trail across Asheville.
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November 29 & 30 (6pm - 8:30pm) - Adventure Center Winter Wonder Walk in Asheville at Asheville Adventure Center
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November 30 - Grove Arcade Tree Lighting, downtown Asheville, 4pm - 9pm
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Asheville
See events & updated openings here, Explore Asheville
This link includes: Asheville's November live music events, festivals, this weekend events, nightlife, family friendly, free events, tours & experiences, and arts & culture
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Weaverville
See events & updated openings here, Town of Weaverville
​This link includes: Weaverville's November events, Art Safari - Happening November 2 & 3, 10am - 5pm - Learn more here. Fall 2024 Tour Map​
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Hendersonville
See events & updated openings here, Visit Hendersonville
This link includes: Hendersonville's November annual "Home for the Holidays" event, live music & Helene fundraising-focused events
See Hendersonville's entire holiday events calendar here.
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Black Mountain
See events & updated openings here, Visit Black Mountain​​​
This link includes: the town's event calendar with status updates for November live music, festivals, and more
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Waynesville
See events & updated openings here, Visit Haywood and Visit Downtown Waynesville
This link includes: updated status for Waynesville's November featured and upcoming holiday events, art & craft fairs, festivals, farmer's markets, live music and more​​​
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Brevard
See events & updated openings here, Explore Brevard
This link includes: updated status for Brevard's November featured and upcoming events, live music, festivals, and more​​​
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Bryson City
See events & updated openings here, Explore Bryson City
The top holiday attraction for the holidays is OPEN - Check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express website, train is running on a regular schedule this year
Confirmed Events & Top Attractions
DECEMBER EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:
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December 2 (6pm - 7pm) - Waynesville Christmas Parade
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December 1 - 31 - Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum
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December 6 (5pm - 8pm) - Weaverville Candlelight Stroll
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December 7 (4pm - 5pm) - Black Mountain Holiday Parade
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December 7 (6pm - 9pm) - Hendersonville Holiday Parade
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December 21 (8:30pm - 9:45Pm) - Asheville, Candlelight Holiday Special Featuring the Nutcracker, Learn more.
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December 6 - 7, 13 - 14 (6pm - 8:30pm) - Adventure Center Winter Wonder Walk in Asheville at Asheville Adventure Center
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December 1 - January 5 - Gingerbread Competition, Follow the "Sugar & Spice" Trail across Asheville.
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December 1- 31 - Bryson City Great Smoky Mountains Polar Express Train Ride begins
Asheville
See events & updated openings here, Explore Asheville
This link includes: Asheville's entire December events calendar, live music events, festivals, this weekend events, nightlife, family friendly, free events, tours & experiences, and arts & culture
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Black Mountain
See events & updated openings here, Visit Black Mountain​
This link includes: Black Mountain's December events calendar and Holly Jolly annual event, Deck the Halls at Monte Vista Hotel, and Lake Tomahawk Circle of Lights
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Brevard
See events & updated openings here, Explore Brevard
This link includes: Brevard's entire December calendar featuring upcoming events, live music, festivals, and more
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Bryson City
See events & updated openings here, Explore Bryson City
The top holiday attraction for the holidays is OPEN - Check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express website, train is running on a regular schedule this year
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Hendersonville
See events & updated openings here, Visit Hendersonville
This link includes: Hendersonville's December events calendar, live music and Helene Benefit Events
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Weaverville
See events & updated openings here, Town of Weaverville and Visit Weaverville
This link includes: Weaverville's December events such as Candlelight Stroll - Happening December 6, 5pm - 8pm, Main Street Weaverville
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Waynesville
See events & updated openings here, Visit Haywood and Visit Downtown Waynesville
This link includes: ​ Waynesville's December Christmas Parade - Happening December 2​, (6pm - 7pm), live music, arts & craft fairs, festivals, and more
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Scenic Drives
AVOID DRIVING TO OR DRIVING IN THESE AREAS:
Blue Ridge Parkway - See opening updates here. You can access the BRP near Waynesville and Beech Gap at milepost 411.9 to 469 toward the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
November 1, 2024, the National Park Service restored access to an additional six miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 405.5, near NC Route 151, to Milepost 411.8, at NC Route 276. This extends an open section of the Parkway announced earlier this week from milepost 411.8 to 421. 
November 6, 2024, the National Park Service restored access to approximately 11 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, within the Asheville corridor, from milepost 382.5, at US 70 near the Folk Art Center, to milepost 393.6, at NC Route 191 near the NC Arboretum, including the French Broad Overlook at milepost 393.8
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Lake Lure
Chimney Rock
Marshall
Mars Hill
Hot Springs
Spruce Pine
Burnsville
ALTERNATIVE SCENIC DRIVES:
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Near Asheville:
Drive through Pisgah National Forest in Brevard- Visit the Pisgah Forest Visitor Center
Drive to Looking Glass Falls from Asheville
Drive to Brevard, NC - From Asheville, Brevard is open for Business
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Near Hendersonville:
Drive through Pisgah National Forest in Brevard- Visit the Pisgah Forest Visitor Center
Howard Gap Road - A former Native American trail, Howard Gap Road was used by settlers as part of a Drover’s Road that ran for 300 miles from Charleston, SC to the Continental Divide. Or, check out these suggested scenic drives:
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The Arts
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville - For the entire vibrant art scene in Asheville, go to Explore Asheville
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Downtown Asheville: ​
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Asheville Art Museum - Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am-6 pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
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Visit the Historic Grove Arcade Downtown Asheville (Christmas Tree Lighting, Nov 30th at 4pm)
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The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts reopens its doors Nov. 1 with a show. Discounted Tickets available.
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River Arts District:
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November 9 - 10 - River Arts District Soft Opening 1.0, a vibrant celebration showcasing displaced artists, open studios and galleries, food trucks, and music
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:​
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Custom Art Tours with Sherry Masters - Let Sherry be your personal tour guide to our area art galleries and studios​​
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Black Mountain
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:​
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Downtown Black Mountain:​​
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Explore the Craft and Art of Bryson City:
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Hendersonville
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Downtown Hendersonville
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The Perry N. Rudnick Art & Nature Trail - Whimsical outdoor art created by well-known artists combines with nature along this quiet one-mile pathway with interpretive signage and an array of regional plant species.
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Weaverville
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Innkeeper Recommendations:​
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November 2 & 3, ART SAFARI in Weaverville
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Main Street Weaverville & Beyond:
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Waynesville
Downtown Waynesville:
Yellow House Recommendations - Waynesville Galleries
Haywood Arts Council & Gallery​​​
Getting Here
By Air
The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating.
By Car
The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.
Critical highways like I-40 eastbound and I-26 are accessible as detailed below.
Open Highways and Interstates:
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I-26 (south of Mars Hill/Mile 9/U.S. 19)
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I-40 (southeast of Cove Creek/Mile 21)
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U.S. 23
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U.S. 25/U.S. 25A
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U.S. 70
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U.S. 74
Current Road Closures:
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I-40 (northwest of Cove Creek/Tennessee Border to Mile 20)
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I-26 (Tennessee Border to north of Mars Hill/Miles 1-9)
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U.S. 64
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U.S. 19
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North Carolina Highway 215, 226 and 197
Alternate Routes:
The impacts of Hurricane Helene have necessitated road closures near the North Carolina and Tennessee border, including I-40 eastbound and westbound near Mile 21 (30 miles west of Asheville). As businesses reopen in stages, travelers may use the following open routes into the Asheville area and Buncombe County:
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From the northwest: I-81 to U.S. 70 to I-26
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From the southwest: I-85 to U.S. 25 to I-26
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From the south: Take U.S. 74 Alt to U.S. 74 East toward Shelby and connect with I-85 to Charlotte