Getting Around Asheville: Growing commutes and new roads
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Asheville really takes.
Rachael, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Some people collect stamps. Vanessa collects zip codes. After 13 moves (including one four-day, five-kid, one-puppy odyssey from Washington to North Carolina), she’s learned that relocation is equal parts logistics and comedy. Now settled in Winston-Salem, she’s fallen for the BBQ, the breeze, and how everyone waves like they’ve known you since kindergarten. Her claim to fame? She once sat on Shamu. Her real skill? Turning past moving trauma into local wisdom and relocation knowledge. As a Snappy Scout editor, she mixes mom-level multitasking with cross-country survival instincts to help newcomers settle into the Tar Heel life without losing their minds.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Asheville?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time you spend getting to/from work every day is
fifteen minutes, unless the leaf peepers find your exit
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
Smokey Park Bridge into downtown (around five o'clock, and don't make the mistake of driving on festival days)
Ability to get around without a car
Downtown, sure. Beyond that, your options are quads of steel or ART buses
Locals dream of driving around in a
forest green Subaru Outback, two dogs and a roof kayak
The reality is that most locals drive a
well-loved Subaru or Civic, check engine light and brewery stickers
Quirky local driving habit
Brake for pedestrians, pause for goats, smile for murals
The likelihood of finding parking
Scarce downtown after 6 pm. West Asheville street spots remain
#1 driving tip
Beware sudden lefts into breweries on Haywood Road
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
The WNC nature center is like a breath of fresh air away from Asheville (well, I'll admit that there's a light animal parfum). It can get busy on peak days, but many days it feels quiet, perfect for young families. We love watching the sea otters perform acrobatics, seeing the spooky vampire bats feed in real time, and wondering at the immensity of the bears and big cats.
— Rachael Riner
North Carolina Local Expert
Ready to See If Asheville Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Asheville guide for the bigger picture.