Lots of gravel around the Blowing Rock area. You're 90 minutes away and could easily do 5-8 hours of dirt in that area. Look for Globe Rd going south from BR to Hwy 90, then to Mortimer. From there down Wilson's Creek to Craig Creek Rd to Hwy 181. From there go north a few miles to the first FS road on the left and that takes you into the Table Rock area. Check these out on Google Maps and you will find even more a few miles west of Linville Gorge, notably, Old 105 which will take you down to the Lake James area and you can take I-40 back home.
I haven't done these this spring but you should have no problem.