This happened several years ago during the summer.
We were going to Asheville for July 4th and took the southern route on the Dragon's Tail....DO NOT DO THAT!!!
After an hour and a half, with me almost hanging my little green face out the window, we finally hit the semi straight road...95 MILES left to go to Asheville!!!!
We came back through the northern route and ended up on 81....only took about 2.5 hours. Mostly two lane roads, but at least it wasn't doubling back and forth on cliff sides...