Driving the "Dragon's Tail"

[GH85Carrera]

Since this is the technical forum I need some technical advice on driving my 1985 Carrera on the Dragon's Tail. I will be driving to Charlotte NC this year to Porsche Parade from Oklahoma City. If I stay on I-40 east for 837 miles of boring interstate driving and head south on Highway 321 to Maryville I will arrive after 860 miles.

From Maryville I can drive "The Dragon's Tail" which is part of highway 129. It is the legendary road rated a 10 out of 10 for curvy fun driving. That will end up taking me east to Ashville NC and on to Charlotte. I have heard about the dragon’s tail for years. I never dreamed I would ever be in the area with my Porsche.

The amazing fact is I will only have to drive an extra 20 miles to Charlotte. What a bonus, I am “forced” to drive one of the best, curviest roads in the world and I only add a few miles to my destination. It is an opportunity I cannot miss.

Now for the question part of this post. From what My GPS tells me, and looking at Google Maps I see Highway 129 is the road to take to take. Should I continue on south on 129 to Santeelah and on to Robbinsville and onto Highway 28 on to H-74 into Ashville and on to Charlotte? My GPS and Google Maps want me to drop down to Spartenburg and take the Interstate into Charlotte. It looks like Highway 74 is more direct. How is the traffic on H-74?

Are there some other roads I should not miss? Are there some roads I should avoid? I want to get to Charlotte by early afternoon. It looks like Charlotte is 260 miles from Maryville. 260 miles should not take over 6 hours; I hope it will be a lot less. How is the traffic in the area on a weekday?

I promise to take some pictures on my journey and post them after Parade.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

If you ask me, and you didn't, the DT is a waste of time. It's a curiosity, not a fabulous road. There's lots of traffic, you'll usually be going 20, and if you're lucky an 18-wheeler won't drive over you coming the other way. Yes, tractor-trailers: a lot of them use the road because it's the only way from Here to There. Last time I was on the DT, I followed a tractor-trailer that drove (with its rear bogeys) totally over a two-Harley trailer being towed by a Ford F250. With two Harleys on it.

I've driven a lot of wonderful roads all over the world as part of my job--I write most of Conde Nast Traveler's "Great Drive" articles and three weeks ago spent 1,500 miles in a Nissan GT-R doing one in Nevada and California--and I fail to see what's so fabulous about a road that has 300-plus turns in less than 12 miles. Believe me, it's like driving a Viper on a small, quarter-mile indoor Kart track.

[GH85Carrera]

I really want to compare it to a certain highway in Arkansas. We drove for two hours solid with several drivers getting car sick. We did not see any other cars at all. Not even going the other direction. We saw a "town" on the map and we were hoping for a bathroom stop. All that was there was a burned down church. I can't imagine how any highway could get better than that one. It is a super smooth road and a ton of curves and pretty as well

Hopefully on a weekday the DT will be fun.

[JayG]

I go every few monthes on a Tuesday morning or so and there is no traffic. I do it overnight every once in a while too. Its a fun time but I prefer the wider lanes on the way up there that we have in north GA.

[gunlover05]

I can highly recommend the Tail....best not to go on a weeked definitely, as there will be some traffic to deal with then...during the week isn't bad at all... going up is more fun than down of course....several pull offs to stop and see the mountains, rest, or just pull over and clean your shorts...there will also be 4 or 5 photographers that will take your pics and then you go to thier site and you can purchase for $5 or $6...i bought a few myself from a run in March...

Definite one you must do if coming through the area.

[GH85Carrera]

That would be great to buy a photo of me driving the tail. I have purchased lots of photos at the track but I do not have any photos of me driving a tree lined road.

[theclaw]

The Tail is popular with motorcyclists too. A handful hurt themselves or get killed every year. Although I've never been I would rate it with Rock City after everything I've read on the cycle boards. I think there are many other great roads to drive. But if you do it, get the T-Shirt.

[AngM018]

word of advice.... spend the night near by, then get up at dawn and drive it. car/motorcycle clubs from all over travel to drive it. after 8am u will run into traffic, and worst yet, some very anal police who take their road very seriously... most of the time too serious. i had lights flashed at me for going 5 over. they dont mess around... not only is the road worth it, the scenery and photo ops with your car are priceless!

p.s. see you at the parade!

[williecoyote]

I wouldn't necessarily drive halfway across the country just to drive the Dragon's Tail, but as long as you will be coming by, I certainly wouldn't miss it.

The times that I was in the area, the Miata Club, or the Mini Club, or the Yugo Club, were converged on The Dragon for the weekend. (kidding about the Yugo Club.) During the week, you might not see a soul, or you may see a Harley, or two.

When I leave Asheville, I take I-26 toward Spartanburg, cut across Hwy 11 ? near Gaffney, SC, and pick up I-77 just north of Spartanburg. That will take you to Charlotte.

When I took Hwy 74, It seemed like I spent a lot of time watching my temp gauge rise.

Procon...... do you have any input on this? Procon? Bueller?

[mack6820]

I prefer the West Virginia turnpike. Lots of high speed curves with very little police.

[KFC911]

I've never been on the DT as there are lots of twisties around here that don't have the notoriety, traffic, or LEO presence and are a lot closer. However, if you're passing through, why not ? Another nice one that I have been on is the Cherohala Skyway if you can fit that into your route.

[aj88cab]

+1 on the Cherahola Skyway, it's west of the DT and it brings you right into the DT area. Very different from the DT, wide open sweeping curves, easy to pass slower cars, incredible views, highest highway east of the Mississippi I think ...and fewer places for LE to hide.

[osidak]

I think DT is fun road but there are lots of roads in that area that are fun as well. During the week the road is not bad for traffic - weekends they can really crowded.

Takes me about 4.5 to 5 hours to go from Charlotte to DT. Shortest distance would mean taking I-26 and then getting on 74 to cut through Shelby NC

Not always the fastest but on the weekend it should be ok. One word of caution is that I-26 coming out of Asheville and Highway 74 are patrolled pretty heavily at times. Last week coming back from Asheville I counted 21 troopers in about 50 miles of road.

Enjoy yourself, do not cross over the center line on the Dragon and be watchful of those that do as that is where most of the issues come from on the Dragon.

[cashflyer]

It's a curiosity that you should check out if you're in the area. Lot's of curves, plus lots of traffic and cops.

Nice scenery around Fontana.

Check with user ProCon. He and Jim Cesiro organize an annual event there, plus several other events on lesser known roads in the area.

2006 It's Official, Pelicans on the Dragon Nov. 3-5, 2006
2007 *Porsche's on the Dragon * Nov. 9th. - 11th.

[vicrola]

I too live within 45 minutes of the DT. The only time to do the DT is first thing in the AM (0600-0700). Nobody out at that time. Additionally, I stay away during the summer. Asphalt competition too stiff from law enforcement, bikes, and car clubs of every nomencalture. Try it early in the AM, in the winter ... it's great.

Vic
Knoxville, TN

[Mike_Lettrich]

+2 on the Cherohala Skyway, which is very close by. http://www.cherohala.com

I've done the Dragon's tail on a sport bike, but not a car. It is a fun road, but can be congested. Definitely do not cross the center line. The road has tons of motorcycle riders, some more in control than others. Many of the curves are blind, so crossing the center line could be tragic.

[JayG]

Just as a heads up, www.killboy.com is the best site to buy pics of you driving the tail. Cool just to look at the rides every week.

[racemor]

Agree with most of the replies here. It was a ton of fun "back in the day" before it's popularity made it too crowded and the troopers started cracking down.

This week is the big event for MINI owners at Deals Gap. The road can catch people out easily. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138309

[Guard Bum]

I did it on a Harley a few years ago. The organized ride was quite crowded and very slow. Slowed even more because a biker was killed by a tractor trailer which completely stopped traffic. This particular case was not the truckers fault, he was in his lane and the bike took the corner wide (caught on video). A friend and I rode it at daybreak the following day and had a blast; no traffic, no cops, very cool. Can be a very nice ride, but timing is everything. Good luck.

[esample]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It's a curiosity that you should check out if you're in the area. Lot's of curves, plus lots of traffic and cops.

+1 I grew up in E Tennessee and W North Carolina. This is just another road if you ask me. I have driven miles and miles of roads in those mountains that are just as much fun and far less crowded. Like Duvall St in Key West, visit as a tourist attraction, not much more. YMMV.

Have a great trip!

-e.