Tail of the dragon trip

[sdskinner73]

Hey all, planning a trip next summer for the tail of the dragon. We wanted to go this year, but my FIL is having an operation, so pushed back a year. We live in central Indiana. Just looking for tips. Currently my plan is to stop by the NCM in bowling green. Eat lunch. Then head to Robbinsville NC or Maryville TN to stay the night. Day 2 wander the area and some back roads. Return home day 3. I currently run E85, so I did track out stations along the way to help ensure fuel isn’t an issue. Is retuning to 93 a possibly safer option given availability? Any recommendations on stays or places to check out?

There is a group local to me that goes in July, but $1400 to go to steak restaurants and hang out with people I don’t know seems a bit steep to me.
Any advice is appreciated!

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[pinksurfer]

jealous. a bucket list item for me for sure. I'd love to ride it on a good 600 than drive tho

 

[MAGS1]

NCM is really cool, been a few times, most recently a couple years ago. They have a restaurant there, it usually gets busy right about noon (I think they open for lunch at 11 or 11:30). Plan to spend a few hours there if you want to see everything. Seeing people take delivery of their new Corvettes there is cool too. Customer delivery cars are usually out in the front area of the museum roped off, when the customer shows up you get to see the whole white glove treatment. Ford should really do something similar for Mustang. The track was closed the last time I was there, would be cool if there’s folks out there when you go.

I’ve never been to ToD, it’s on my list as well. Have fun, sounds like you have a good trip planned.

 

[ORRadtech]

Tapoco Lodge is very near the Tail. We've never stayed there but enjoyed eating at their restaurant.
Nantahala Outdoor Center is not far and their restaurant is good to. It’s also a great place to raft or kayak.
There are lots of little towns within an hour or so drive. We enjoy Bryson NC. Lots of lodging and good restaurants. That also puts you close to the Harrah's casino in Cherokee NC if you like that sort of thing
Once you're in the area it's hard to find a bad road to drive. The ToD is famous/infamous but isn't necessarily the best road for driving and scenery.
Newfound Gap Rd (US 441) between Cherokee and Gatlinburg is a 30ish mile stretch of road through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park is a good one if you're interested in either of those two cities. We see elk almost everytime we drive it.
And try to plan to go anywhere in the area during the middle of the week. Weekends, especially pretty ones, can be very, very, very busy. Traffic jams can really take the novelty out of the trip.

 

[MidwayJ]

I've been there multiple times. It's a great area for driving roads and I highly recommend more than one day. But if that's all you've got here's an itinerary.

In the morning from Maryville, take 129 towards tail of the dragon. Stop at 129 Hub and get a pic of your car in front of the big sign. There are also some gift shops in this area.

Continue on 129 and you'll hit the Tail of the Dragon. At the end, stop at the Killboy Store for souvenirs and a pic. Check out the tree of shame across the street and more gift shops.

Take a left off 129 and drive "Moonshiner 28." Loop back north on 129 and stop for lunch at Topoco Lodge. It has a great patio right on the river. Here's the morning route:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/avyvQ6ruzyuHz4aX7?g_st=ac

After lunch, drive the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, and back again the other direction. Head back up 129 to the TotD and make as many runs up and down the dragon as you want. Then back up to Alcoa for dinner at Hot Rod Diner. (Incredible burger menu.) Here's a route:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tbez2Cv6eLyMKfAN6

 

[sdskinner73]

Wow, I appreciate the insights! Was fueling ever an issue?

 

[MidwayJ]

Wow, I appreciate the insights! Was fueling ever an issue?

No, but no one in our group was on E85. I have no knowledge of its availability in that area, but I would guess it's highly doubtful it would be sufficient. Where I'm from in Texas you only find it in the large metro areas.

 

[sdskinner73]

No, but no one in our group was on E85. I have no knowledge of its availability in that area, but I would guess it's highly doubtful it would be sufficient. Where I'm from in Texas you only find it in the large metro areas.

Dang, from Texas. Now that’s a road trip! I live in central IN, so E85 is plentiful around here. 3-4 stations within 15 minutes or less usually. May be worth throwing in a flex tune to be safe.

 

[sk47]

Hello; I live in TN, so the dragon road is a day trip for me. Been on that section of road several times over the years. As others have stated not hard to find similar roads in the area. Dragon has the reputation, however. Dragon also has built up commercial sites around the reputation.

What the dragon does not have is quick access for medical response. Takes a while for an ambulance to get in and out. Already this year some deaths. A couple riding motorcycle or trike

The dragon is also a public road. Can be any sort of vehicle on the road, including trucks. I drove it once in the Ford van pictured in my avatar after leaving Fontana Lake. You do not get to ignore speed limits and can get a ticket. I suggest you drive no faster that what it takes to stay in your lane. Cutting blind corners and crossing the center line you may meet someone doing the same coming the other direction.

I have lived in the area most of my life and when young and stupid did road race on similar roads. The dragon is a very scenic road. Saw some bald eagle's last time.

 

[DCShelby]

It was a trike that crashed and two people died.

 

[MidwayJ]

I suggest you drive no faster that what it takes to stay in your lane. Cutting blind corners and crossing the center line you may meet someone doing the same coming the other direction.

@sdskinner73 I wholeheartedly agree with this. Staying in your lane is paramount. You might meet a motorcycle rider leaning right on the line. Also, don't let faster vehicles push you beyond your comfort level. Use the pull-off areas and just let them go.

 

[Tucsonjay]

Drove it in 1999 in a rented Oldsmobile Alero. Could smell the brakes and transmission, probably power steering too. No bucket seats so I was pretty sore from leaning into each and every turn. Almost the only time I ever got carsick. Ready for a reboot.

 

[gone_n_60]

I did the Dragon about 2 yrs back, we stayed at the Tapoco Lodge and it was really nice. They have cabins and a lodge. Super convenient as the bottom of the Dragon, food and lodging. I went in early spring and did a Thursday and Friday. No photographers on Thursday but Friday they did and bought some nice ones. About other traffic yes and yes, when I was at the hub (middle stop) there were police cars escorting a big truck coming around there, very very slowly.
For folks who don't know there is also a "Back of the Dragon" in Virginia near a sleepy town called Tazwell (most restaurants close by 8PM there).

 

[Snellemin]

The ToD is my next to do list. I've done the Rocky Mountain park, Pikes Peak(multiple times) and Texas Twisted Sisters. Thx @MidwayJ for sharing the google map routes.

 

[agmattocks]

Hey all, planning a trip next summer for the tail of the dragon. We wanted to go this year, but my FIL is having an operation, so pushed back a year. We live in central Indiana. Just looking for tips. Currently my plan is to stop by the NCM in bowling green. Eat lunch. Then head to Robbinsville NC or Maryville TN to stay the night. Day 2 wander the area and some back roads. Return home day 3. I currently run E85, so I did track out stations along the way to help ensure fuel isn’t an issue. Is retuning to 93 a possibly safer option given availability? Any recommendations on stays or places to check out?

There is a group local to me that goes in July, but $1400 to go to steak restaurants and hang out with people I don’t know seems a bit steep to me.
Any advice is appreciated!

I would switch to 93 tune just to be safe. Let us know when your going to be down and maybe we can meet up.

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