Whether you’re the trailblazer of your group who confidently books all the travel plans or the meticulous planner with a proclivity for parking anxiety who uses Google Maps to get a visual idea of destinations ahead of time, we’re writing this blog with you in mind. We’ll even include some hot tips for those in the group who are simply happy to be there.
Keep reading for insider tips from a keen WNC local on where to park, charge your EV, and which airport to use so you can travel efficiently and enthusiastically to Asheville, NC.
How to get to Asheville: Highways, Thoroughfares, and Scenic Byways, Oh My!
First things first, and in this case, it’s how to get to “The Land of Sky.” If you live within driving distance (or a bit beyond but love a good road trip), Asheville features major highways, thoroughfares, and scenic byways to choose from. I-40 cuts through the city from east to west, I-26 connects the region from north to south, and I-240 bridges the gap between the two, essentially wrapping around downtown Asheville.
Keep in mind that I-26 is the fastest route to the Asheville Regional Airport and has a somewhat stress-inducing reputation for travelers and locals alike due to frequent construction project congestion. Our suggestion? Put on a great podcast or playlist and enjoy the views. They make the traffic worth it, most of the time.
If you’re not in a hurry and want to avoid traffic lights, check off your first bucket-list item by taking the ultimate scenic byway, the Blue Ridge Parkway. “America’s Favorite Drive” has four main access points across Asheville:
- US-70 (Tunnel Road)- Located in East Asheville, around Milepost 382.6. This access point is next to the BRP Visitor Center and is the most popular starting point for drivers heading north toward the highest point east of the Mississippi—Mount Mitchell.
- US-74A (Charlotte Highway)- Located just southeast of Asheville, around Milepost 384.7 near Fairview. The Folk Art Center, headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, is close by. If you continue traveling north from this entrance, you’ll reach the popular Craggy Gardens trail.
- US-25 (Hendersonville Road)- Located in South Asheville, around Milepost 388.8. This access point is adjacent to Asheville’s biggest attraction, the historic Biltmore Estate.
- NC-191 (Brevard Road)- Located in Southwest Asheville, around Milepost 393.6. This access point is near the North Carolina Arboretum and the WNC Farmers Market. It is the ideal entrance if driving south toward Mount Pisgah and Looking Glass Rock.
Asheville has a handful of thoroughfares that you’ll quickly become familiar with. Patton Ave runs east to west from downtown into West Asheville. Merrimon Ave connects downtown to North Asheville and Woodfin. Hendersonville Rd travels south toward Arden and Fletcher, parallel to I-26. Tunnel Rd cuts directly toward the historic Beaucatcher Tunnel and leads from downtown toward East Asheville.
Pro Tip: Mountain roads can be notoriously steep and windy, frequently interfering with GPS and cell service. We recommend downloading maps or printing driving directions ahead of time, which will be especially helpful when navigating to your Asheville vacation cabin.
Airports Near Asheville NC
Air-bound to our beautiful mountains? Western North Carolina is conveniently home to the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). Located in Fletcher, just 15 miles south of downtown Asheville, this airport has that “small airport” feel that instantly puts travelers at ease. While it can certainly get busy (2025 saw the second-busiest year in its history), navigating AVL is usually a straightforward affair, with a majority of travelers getting through TSA security check lines and to their gates within 15 minutes.
Wondering how to get from the airport to Asheville center? You can opt for a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, the public ART bus, or a car rental. There are several major rental companies (Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, etc.) on-site with counters positioned right next to the baggage claim area.
With the ongoing AVL Forward initiative, the airport’s infrastructure transformation includes updates promising more space, better flow, and an even more welcoming experience for travelers landing in the Blue Ridge. One such way they’re refreshing the terminal is by bringing back the beloved Art in the Airport—a rotating exhibit brimming with the artistic local flair visitors have come to love and expect from our “weird” city. You can even purchase a one-of-a-kind piece from the gallery if you can’t bear to part with it.
There are also two international airports near Asheville—Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in Greer, SC, about 1 hour and 15 minutes away, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, NC, about 2 hours away. CLT offers direct flights to and from Asheville, while travelers flying into GSP will need to complete their trip to Asheville by car.
If your journey to Asheville involves air travel, you’ve got options to fit your itinerary!
Parking Downtown Asheville
It’s time to learn how to park like a pro in downtown Asheville. Don’t worry, you got this. While parking downtown Asheville can be challenging (looking at you, peak-season weekends), planning will metaphorically turn the radio down and reduce the specific stress that only comes from trying to park in a busy or unfamiliar city.
One of the most reliable and affordable parking options is the four publicly managed garages (Wall St, Biltmore Ave, Rankin Ave, and the Civic Center/Harrah’s Cherokee Center Deck). At these spots, the first hour is completely free; then it’s $2 for every additional hour, with a daily max of $15. There are also the Buncombe County parking decks on College St and Coxe Ave. These charge $2 for the first hour and $1 for every additional hour, with a daily max of $12.
In addition to parking garages and decks, there is on-street metered parking. These spaces will run you $2.50 per hour and are enforced from 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday. With a strict two-hour time limit, they’re ideal for short-term activities. Keep in mind that street parking is completely free overnight, all day Sunday, and on official City holidays. Most meters accept credit cards, but you can also pay using a mobile app. Shoutout to Flowbird, which shows you real-time availability while hunting for a spot, sends you notifications when your spot is expiring, and allows you to extend your time without running back to your car in a panic.
Downtown Asheville also has its fair share of lots, which are typically privately managed and require payment 24/7 (no free first hours here, my friend). Pay attention to the specific payment instructions posted on the signs to avoid hefty fines and possible towing, and have the ParkMobile or Passport app already downloaded to your phone to save time.
If your phone is already out of storage for one more app (hopefully filled with mountain panoramas and moments of your trip you want to look back on), the city's Text-to-Pay option works just as well. Just text the letter “Z” followed by the two-digit zone number on the meter sign (Z42, for example) to 727563 and securely pay by credit card.
Asheville insider parking tips:
- If your downtown plans include hopping between downtown locations, you can also hop between the four city garages every hour since the first hour is completely free (wink, wink).
- Major concerts and events at Harrah’s Cherokee Center mean the Civic Center Garage and Rankin Garage will be switching to an upfront fee that can easily climb to $20 or more. Unless you prefer to stay close if attending the event, parking in another garage or metered spot will help you save.
- Consider the yellow curb markings a warning—they indicate strict no-parking or loading zones. As a local who has been issued a few parking tickets in her time, it’s better to be safe than sorry with Asheville’s diligent parking enforcers.
EV Charging Stations Asheville
Hybrid and fully fledged electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, and in a progressive and eco-conscious city like Asheville, you’ll find dedicated charging stations aplenty. As a quick reference, we’ve provided a list of the most accessible EV charging stations Asheville below.
Charge While Exploring Downtown
Wall Street Garage offers free Level 2 charging on the top floor, and it’s a two-minute walk from the historic Grove Arcade, the iron sculpture, and award-winning dining spots like Luminosa and Botiwalla by Chai Pani. Rankin Ave Garage’s bottom-level charging is free, too, and you'll come out right by Pritchard Park—home of the Drum Circle (definitely a bucket-list item for most visitors to Asheville) and Art Deco gem, the S&W Market.
Biltmore Ave Garage’s charging works the same way, but usage fees apply here. This garage is near the South Slope Brewing District, where you’ll find favorites like Burial Beer Co. and Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium. It’s also home to one of our favorite public art pieces, the "Daydreamer," by Asheville artists Alex Irvine and Ian Wilkinson. College Street’s ground-floor Level 2 charging is steps from Pack Square Park, where you’ll find favorites like French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Pack’s Tavern. Pack Square is a hot spot for festivals and events, so there’s usually something going on throughout the year.
Charge While You Shop
Kill two birds with one stone and shop for vacation groceries (the best kind) at Sam’s Club on Patton Ave while using its Electrify America hub, which has high-capacity fast chargers up to 350 kW. Need a new outfit or accessory? Brevard Road’s Tanger Outlets boasts multiple charging blocks, including a prominent Tesla Supercharger station.
There’s also the popular shopping and entertainment enclave, Biltmore Park Town Square, just south of downtown off I-26, which offers a dense cluster of Tesla Superchargers and public street-level chargers. While there, grab dinner at Posana or Thirsty Monk and catch a movie. If traveling along the bustling commercial corridor on River Ridge/Tunnel Rd near the Asheville Mall, there’s a hub with a dedicated Tesla Supercharger station. Recharging is better with retail therapy with a Cook Out milkshake in hand, if you ask us.
Charge While You Relax
Maximize your time by charging your EV while tasting the best of Asheville’s craft beer scene. New Belgium Brewing in RAD (River Arts District) is a renowned brewery known for its connection to bikes, but you might be surprised to know it also offers free visitor charging for EVs. The world-class Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., just south of Asheville in Mills River, also offers 10 free Level 2 EV charging spaces that are integrated into the ChargePoint network for its guests.
If you’d rather charge from the comfort of your vacation home away from home, Greybeard has 14 homes with EV chargers and other top amenities. Aside from the many benefits of EVs and the ample charging opportunities around Asheville, the instant torque could also help you maneuver those challenging mountain inclines. Welcome to recharging in every sense of the word!
Get to Asheville—Greybeard’s Got You
With flexible cancellation policies and Buy Now, Pay Later financing options through PayPal and Venmo, it’s never been easier to book your mountain getaway with Greybeard. Are you dreaming of an Asheville cabin with a hot tub? A luxury retreat with sweeping views? Or maybe a waterfront marvel with a private dock? Check out our specials page, or reach out to our team of reservation specialists who can help you narrow down your top contenders or send you a list of homes tailored to your needs.
While we can’t pack for you, we can certainly help take the edge off. One of the perks of staying in one of our Asheville cabin rentals is the complimentary starter kit designed to help you settle in comfortably and relax into that vacation state of mind. Did we mention it comes with a reusable tote with "Land of Sky" landmarks? This colorful carryall will remind you of your treasured time in the mountains and make running errands something you look forward to.
Wherever you’re coming from and however you get here, Greybeard’s got your back before, during, and after your stay. We’ve been rooted in these mountains since 1999, and we want you to love them as much as we do. With 26+ years of experience, you can count on us to do everything we can to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience—but hopefully more than once.