Asheville, North Carolina is a gorgeous community that’s nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and forested hills. This bustling town is well known for its vibrant art and music scene, unique cultural sights, and easy access to some of the region’s most picturesque locations. In fact, Asheville itself is pretty conveniently located from other popular North Carolina and Tennessee towns vacationers love.
So, if you’re visiting this area and are wondering just how far Asheville is from the city you’re visiting, or whether another one of the region’s mountain towns is within driving distance, then this article is just for you! Continue reading to get a better idea of the distances between Asheville and some of North Carolina and Tennessee’s other attractive destinations:
1. Charlotte, NC
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Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte, NC is the biggest city in the state and well-known for its vibrant nightlife and rich cultural scene that includes museums, premier sports teams, and a whole host of extraordinary bars and restaurants.
Charlotte is about 140 miles southeast of Asheville (more east than south) and will take just under three hours by car. Greyhound USA also operates daily buses between the two cities. There are also private shuttle groups that offer travel between Asheville and the bustling Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
2. Boone, NC
Boone, NC is a beloved outdoor mountain town that’s nestled amidst fantastic hiking and skiing locations. It also happens to be home to Appalachian State University and features a myriad of hip locales to visit.
The distance between Boone and Asheville is about 100 miles, with Boone lying northwest of Asheville. However, to get between the two cities does require going through the mountains, making for a very scenic if longer travel time. We recommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway for the best views and stopover points.
3. Greenville
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Now, there is both a Greenville, North Carolina, and a Greenville, South Carolina. When most people talk about doing a day trip to Greenville from the Greater Ashville area, they are talking about Greenville, SC. The South Carolina Town is just over an hour south of Asheville while North Carolina’s Greenville is nearly five hours as it sits almost entirely on the opposite side of the state.
Plus, Greenville, SC has a broader range of activities and attractions for guests to partake in. Here, you will find the Greenville County Museum of Art, the gorgeous Falls Park, and tons of scenic multi-use trails winding about Paris Mount State Park. Just drive a quick 60 minutes straight south of Asheville, NC to see for yourself why so many flock to this other Carolinian town.
4. Greensboro, NC
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Greensboro, NC is known as a cultural hotspot in the central part of the state. The downtown Greensboro Cultural Center is well known as an artistic hub with its galleries, theaters, and hosting of several excellent arts organizations. This town also has a ton of outdoor attractions like an extensive greenway system with multiuse trails and nearby lakes that offer excellent kayaking, fishing, and other water recreational activities.
However, Greensboro is a bit of a trek from Asheville. You’ll find Greensboro located about 170 miles east of Asheville. Driving between the two cities takes between two-and-a-half hours and three hours depending upon the route you take and traffic at the time. You can also opt for a cross-state bus or short airplane flight.
5. Weaverville, NC
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Weaverville, NC is the closest small town to Asheville that’s on our list. In fact, being just 10 miles north of downtown Asheville, you could feasibly walk between the two if you’d like. If you opt instead to drive, it’ll take between ten and twenty minutes depending upon which route you go and local traffic. You can also catch a local bus between the two or hire a local transit company.
The town of Weaverville lies in the picturesque Reems Creek Valley and is known as a bustling community-oriented mountain town. Here, you’ll find a rich mix of restaurants and boutique shops that are ideal for the person who loves a good stroll and window shopping day.
6. Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg, TN is located about two hours west of Asheville, NC, but this is a drive you are apt to find very, very rewarding. There are two popular routes to get between the two cities, but we recommend taking the southern of the two by way of Newfound Gap Road. Newfound Gap Road runs straight through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (no entrance fee required), offering a truly picturesque journey through the country’s oldest mountain range.
When you’re done with your road travel, you’ll be in the beloved mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN! Gatlinburg is a very popular tourist destination with its rich mix of family-friendly attractions and exciting outdoor activities.
7. Pigeon Forge, TN
Once you’ve made it as far as Gatlinburg, you might as well go just a bit further to visit the likewise popular Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is ten miles north of Gatlinburg, but you can get there more quickly than Gatlinburg from Asheville if you take the northern route of I40.
Pigeon Forge, TN is perhaps best known for Dollywood, a massive theme park operated and inspired by one of America’s most beloved country music stars. But you’ll also find plenty of other great attractions here like Splash Mountain and a whole host of premier bars and restaurants.
Now, Learn More About Asheville, NC Itself!
We hope the above gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect with travel between Asheville, NC and some of the state’s other exciting communities. But, maybe now you’re wondering what you’d do once you go to Asheville itself? Well, that’s exactly what we specialize in! Make sure to check out our other pages to learn more about this dynamic mountain town and its biggest highlights.
