I am towing a buddies Jeep down to Tellico this weekend and would like some first hand knowledge and opinions of which route to take for the final leg from Knoxville to Murphy. I will be on I-81 all the way from PA to TN, but see that there are some options. I have been down there three times and took a different route each time. I didn't care for taking 40 down to 74 and hitting Black Mountain because I am towing with a Grand Cherokee. The last time, I think I took 129 South from Knoxville into 74, but that seemed a bit too hilly. On the way home last time I headed West out of Murphy towards Cleveland, TN and picked up 75 up to 81. That seemed like a much less stressful drive, but is it too far out of my way??:confused:

Thanks for all help.

Just do this, it's not too far out of your way. Like you said, it's an easy drive on 64, just don't hang all the way down to the 74 exit:

Yeah, it was alot better than the hills. I guess I am just trying to justify the added distance, but it may be 1/2 hour out of the way that is well spent in relaxation.

its shorter by bus............................................... .































wait, that doesn't really help now does it?:flipoff2:

It is probably at least an hour shorter to go to cleveland and then across to Murphy. 129 is a VERY VERY VERY tight twisty road. If you went across it with a trailer you would cuss the person who suggested it. In one stretch it has 317 turns in 11 miles. That is a turn every 100 yards about. And they are not 2 degree turns, but instead they are 90's and 180's. Please believe me, do not go on 129...

That's the Dragon's Tail right?

I've heard stories about it. I think a buddy and I are gonna take his Suburu out there this summer.

I sure wouldn't wanna pull a trailer on that stretch of road!

Yep that is the Dragon's Tail. Here is a link about it

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html

I have a 15 meg video file of a bike ride through part of Deals Gap if anybody wants me to email it to them..

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. I will be doing the Cleveland spur.

I took 129 the last time I drove down there dollie-towing my old CJ with my Dad's Ram 1500!!:eek: Can you say "not fun"??? I guess atleast I can say that I drove the Devil's Tail, if that is any consolation.

Last night at 7PM it didn't look like we were going to go anyway, but the decision was made last minute to finish the Jeep and get it down there. He came over and we worked through out the night, with out sleep, and finally drove it to the gas station just as dawn broke. I am so freaking tired sitting here at work waiting until 2PM to get out, go pick him up, and drive 12 hours down there!!:rolleyes:

I hope it is worth it.