Scenic and fun route from Nashville to Knoxville?

[Otter74]

I had to change my trip route from Chicago to Atlanta Going down (I plan Rostock to original route plan in the way back up) and will be leaving Nashvilel tomorrow morning heading east. I am most interested in the mountains but I do have all day so see no particular need to take I-40. Can you suggest a nice route or roads between the two areas that is pretty and nice to drive?

[Brian 162]

I'm in Knoxville right now. There are flood warnings all over the area.
I have no routes you can take but be careful.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I am most interested in the mountains but I do have all day so see no particular need to take I-40. Can you suggest a nice route or roads between the two areas that is pretty and nice to drive?

You won't get to the mountains until you get to Knoxville, actually past Knoxville east.

[black73]

You could take I-65 toward KY and get off on SR52 (exit 117, I think) eastbound and drive for a hours. Lots of great scenery and a few small towns. Follow it all the way out to US 27, north of Oak Ridge and head south, back toward civilization. Brushy Mountain Prison is out there somewhere, but I've never been there.

[BK911]

I live in Knoxville and can offer suggestions if I knew where you were going.

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

You won't get to the mountains until you get to Knoxville, actually past Knoxville east.

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I know the mountains don't begin until a bit east of Knoxville - what I meant to say was that while that was my primary interest, I also had time to make better use of the distances geting to Knoxville.

Originally Posted by BK911

I live in Knoxville and can offer suggestions if I knew where you were going.

My plan was to drive the ToTD again and then take some other roads that I'm familiar with in that corner of NC and go back down into GA and to Atlanta.

In any case, that plan went out the window due to my spending all day (over 6 hours) at the Lane Motor Museum. Man, what a fantastic place! Then I had some major brake issues leaving town this afternoon (see other thread) so I'm hanging around here for another day and then going straight to Atlanta.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Otter74

so I'm hanging around here for another day and then going straight to Atlanta.

In that case, I would make a trip out to Loveless Cafe on Hwy 100 west of Nashville to eat some great homemade biscuits.

Then bail on going to Knoxville since you are going to Atlanta. You can find some back roads down (41) to Lynchburg, TN and visit Jack Daniels. Then proceed to Chattanooga and go to the top of Lookout Mountain. Alternatively, there are some good back roads from Lynchburg into Alabama and on to I75 just north of Atlanta.

I'm from the Knoxville area (Oak Ridge) and spent alot of time in Nashville and middle TN. Between those two there is not very much that I would recommend that fits your plan. IMHO

[BK911]

Hey Matt, I work in oak ridge! Just had big eds Pizza yesterday for lunch.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by BK911

Just had big eds Pizza yesterday for lunch.

Rub it in, thanks