1. The Dragon at Deals Gap
ROUTE: US-129
DISTANCE: 11 miles
TIME: 25 mins
Why It's a Great Drive
The Dragon at Deals Gap is the most famous road for sports car enthusiasts and motorcyclists alike. This great driving road in Tennessee has an incredible 318 curves in 11 miles. Many drivers attempt this scenic road purely for the challenge. The Dragon on Deals Gap is a beautiful piece of road. It's perfectly engineered in banking and beautifully paved. This part of US-129 combines a pleasing rhythm of tight turns, and there are no intersecting roads or driveways. It's a great driving road for sports cars and Slingshots, as the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. Because of the huge popularity of the Dragon, it's best to time your drive in the morning or weekdays if you want to avoid the crowds. The Dragon at Deals Gap is a definite bucket list drive for even the most accomplished sports car driving enthusiasts! It's one of the best great driving roads in Tennessee.
How to Get There
The Dragon can be started at the Tabcat Creek Bridge on US-129 in Tennessee. The scenic road crosses into North Carolina until the intersection of NC-28.
Click here for the Google maps link!
2. Cherohala Skyway
ROUTES: TN-165
DISTANCE: 24 miles (in TN)
TIME: 35 min
Why It's a Great Drive
The Cherohala Skyway is a sports car enthusiast's dream scenic road. Described as "a drive among the clouds", this is one of the best driving roads in Tennessee. The Skyway reaches elevations of 5400ft and is full of extraordinary mountainside forest scenery. The section that is in Tennessee starts in Tellico Plains and continues through North Carolina. While many drivers come to this part of the country to experience The Dragon at Deals Gap, some drivers say this is actually their favorite. It's longer and the curves keep on coming. The Cherohala Skyway also has long climbs and descents.
How to Get There
From Interstate 75 - take Exit 60, turn south on TN-68 for about 30 miles. In Tellico Plains, take TN-165 to the scenic road Cherohala Skyway.
Click here for the Google maps link!
3. Foothills Parkway
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Why It's a Great Drive
The Foothills Parkway has been in the works for some 75 years, and is one of the best driving roads in Tennessee. Portions of the Parkway skirts the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This scenic drive in Tennessee makes for a beautiful cruising road as there are no billboards, homes or commercial buildings. The Foothills Parkway is as pristine as it gets for a great Tennessee driving road. The southern section makes for an easygoing scenic road with gentle curves and panoramic mountain vistas. The northern section gets a bit more technical with curves and tighter turns. The Foothills Parkway is the perfect ride for sports car drivers looking to find driving roads in Tennessee.
How Do I Get to the Foothills Parkway?
From Gatlinburg head into the National Park. Turn right onto Little River Road next to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Go approximately 9.5 miles and turn right onto Wear Cove Gap Road to Wears Valley Rd. Turn right and the Foothills Parkway entrance will be on the left.
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4. Natchez Trace Parkway
DISTANCE: 100 miles (TN side)
TIME: 2 hours
Why It's a Great Drive
The Natchez Trace Parkway is an All-American scenic road that features 10,000 years of history. It's a great cruising road for sports cars, as the road has beautiful nature views while you cruise among the hills. The section of the Trace that lies in TN is about 100 miles in length. The entire Natchez Trace Parkway however, travels through Alabama and Mississippi and is 444 miles in total length. This road is particularly great for sports car enthusiasts who want a relaxing cruise, as commercial traffic is prohibited and there's no stop signs or stop lights! Just enjoy this scenic drive in Tennessee among the beautiful scenery and historic sites.
How Do I Get to the Natchez Trace Parkway?
Start this great driving road in Tennessee by following I-40 to west of Nashville and take exit 192, McCrory Lane. The entrance to the parkway will be 5 miles down the road.
Click here for the Google maps link!
5. Little River Gorge Road
DISTANCE: 20 miles
TIME: 35 mins
Why It's a Great Drive
For one of the best driving roads in Tennessee, check out this short, yet enjoyable drive on the Little River Gorge Road. This is a perfect ride for those looking to find driving road in the Smoky Mountains. The scenic drive includes overlooks, trailheads and waterfalls. Meigs Falls is one of the two park waterfalls visible from the road, and the route travels along the Little River for much of the way. (photo: J.L. Ramsaur)
How Do I Get to Little River Gorge Road?
This scenic driving road in Tennessee can be started just off Hwy 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It ends at Hwy 321 in Townsend, TN.
Click here for the Google maps link!
6. Highway 232
ROUTE: TN-232
DISTANCE: 14 miles
TIME: 20 mins
Why It's a Great Drive
Tennessee Highway 232 is well-known among locals as Tennessee's Baby Dragon. This is a fun driving road in TN for spirited driving enthusiasts and motorcyclists alike. There's an abundance of curves within the short length of roadway. Drivers will delight with the elevation dips as well. Find out why the "Baby Dragon" is compared to the Dragon at Deals Gap!
How Do I Get There?
Tennessee Hwy 232 connects SR 147 at McKinnon to U.S. Route 79 and LBL Forest Road 236 in western Stewart County.
Click here for the Google maps link!
7. Devil's Triangle
ROUTES: TN-62, TN-116, TN-330
DISTANCE: 44 miles
TIME: 1 hour 15 min
Why It's a Great Drive
The Devil's Triangle consists of three routes which makes up a 44 miles loop. TN-116 is a particularly fun driving road as there are tight twisties and windy curves. The elevation changes on this loop will require your full attention. The loop's official website, DevilsTriangleTN.com recommends spirited sports car drivers and Polaris Slingshot riders to take the loop in a clockwise direction. The switchbacks are easier to navigate going downhill, especially for motorcyclists. Even experienced drivers will want to focus on this loop, as the route features steep drop off cliffs and gullies. Drive this loop ride carefully and enjoy these curvy roads in Tennessee!
How Do I Get There?
The Devil's Triangle can be started from TN-62 in Oliver Springs, TN. It's best to drive the 44 mile loop in a clockwise direction.
Click here for the Google maps link!
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