Getting to the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau is easier than most first-timers expect. Whether you’re flying in for a discovery visit or planning your first full season at Longcliff, here’s everything you need to know about the nearest airports to Cashiers, NC and the drive times to expect.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the nearest airport to Cashiers, NC, sitting approximately 48 miles northeast of the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau. For Longcliff residents and visitors, the drive from AVL runs about 36 miles and under 55 minutes in normal conditions – a quick, scenic approach through the Blue Ridge foothills.
AVL is a full-service regional airport with nonstop service to major hubs including Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Denver. Airlines serving AVL include American, Delta, United, Allegiant, and Sun Country. For anyone flying in specifically to reach Cashiers, Highlands, or Lake Toxaway, Asheville Regional is the clear choice.
AVL Quick Facts:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the most connected airports on the East Coast, and it’s a common choice for travelers flying from the Northeast, Midwest, or internationally. From CLT, the drive from Charlotte to Cashiers, NC is approximately 2.5 hours – roughly 140 miles, mostly via US-74 West through Brevard.
The route is straightforward and scenic, with the mountain views becoming increasingly dramatic as you climb onto the Plateau. For travelers who can’t get a direct flight into Asheville, or who prefer the wide carrier network at Charlotte Douglas, the drive is a comfortable and beautiful alternative.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is another viable gateway, particularly for travelers connecting internationally. The drive from Atlanta to Cashiers, NC runs approximately 3 hours – about 160 miles northeast via I-985 and US-23 through Clayton, Georgia.
The route passes through the Rabun County mountains of North Georgia before climbing into western North Carolina, making it a scenic drive in its own right. For Southeast residents who fly out of ATL regularly, this approach to the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau is familiar and direct.
Cashiers sits at roughly 3,500 feet elevation on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau in western North Carolina, one of the most beautiful and historically coveted destinations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The plateau’s elevation means cooler summers, four-season mountain living, and a landscape that draws people back year after year.
Longcliff is located in Lake Toxaway, NC, on the eastern edge of the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau – just 15 minutes from Cashiers and ideally positioned between Asheville and the Smokies to the north, and Atlanta and Charlotte to the south and east.
The area’s geography is part of its enduring appeal: accessible enough to reach easily from major metros, but elevated and removed enough to feel like a true escape. The Cherokee called this land the “Land of the Red Bird.” In the early 1900s, the Vanderbilts, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone followed the same draw that brings families here today.
For most visitors and homeowners, flying into Asheville Regional Airport and making the 55-minute drive is the most efficient route to Longcliff. The airport is easy to navigate, the rental car options are straightforward, and the drive itself, winding down through the Toxaway gorge and up onto the plateau is a preview of what awaits.
Those coming from Charlotte or Atlanta by car can make the trip a leisure drive, stopping along the way in Brevard (about 25 minutes from Longcliff) for coffee downtown or a walk along the French Broad River greenway before continuing up to the plateau.
Once you arrive at Longcliff, the need to drive ends. This 107-acre walkable mountain village in Lake Toxaway is built around connection, community, and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Homes with stone fireplaces and folding doors open onto mountain views. The 44-acre Longcliff Preserve offers miles of trails, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife-rich forest stewarded by the North American Land Trust. A Market and Café, Great Lawn, and village center keep neighbors connected without ever needing a car. The Longcliff Discovery Center is now open on US-64 in Toxaway – stop in, have a coffee, and see what’s coming to the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the nearest airport to Cashiers, NC, located approximately 55 minutes from Longcliff in Lake Toxaway. It offers nonstop service from most major U.S. hubs and is the most convenient option for travelers heading to the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau.
Asheville is approximately 48 miles from Cashiers, NC. The drive from downtown Asheville to the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau takes about 60–75 minutes, while the drive from Asheville Regional Airport to Longcliff in Lake Toxaway runs closer to 55 minutes.
There is no commercial airport in Highlands or Cashiers. The closest airport to Highlands, NC is Asheville Regional (AVL), roughly 55-70 minutes away. Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) are each about 2.5 to 3 hours by car.
The drive from Charlotte to Cashiers, NC is approximately 2.5 hours (about 140 miles) via US-74 West through Brevard. It’s a scenic route that becomes increasingly dramatic as the road climbs into the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The most convenient way is to fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and drive approximately 55 minutes south on US-64 to reach Longcliff in Lake Toxaway. Rental cars are available at AVL. From Charlotte or Atlanta, the drive is about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Ready to experience the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau for yourself? Visit the Longcliff Discovery Center, now open on US-64 in Toxaway, and see this mountain village come to life. Schedule your visit at Longcliff today.
