Tail of the dragon trip

[sdskinner73]

It's honestly not that bad, we've gone the last two years. We live in Northern Ohio, so usually the only iffy part is our weather. We drive and the last two years the weather has been great in TN. 50s in the AM 60s-80s in the day. It's a nice break from Ohio during that time of the year. Such a great event, lots to do each day and night. poniesinthesmokies.com

Totally understand. I grew up in NW Indiana right by Lake Michigan and my wife’s family is in Cleveland. That lake effect stuff is for the birds. Appreciate the addition, might an easier timed trip to make!

Sponsored

 

[ShadesOfBloo]

Be ready for some tests of your patience.

Tail of the Dragon has a 35mph speed limit, and you might see some people taking it seriously. ...Including Tennessee LEOs.

Some motorcycle owners think they're expert riders, and think the 25mph they're going is faster than you should go, even after a Tahoe has caught up to the both of you.

If you're not going with a group, try to go on a weekday when there's probably (a little) less traffic.

At least one time through you should probably stop at the overlook.

And I second this:

The Cherohala Skyway is also a must drive near the TOD. Runs from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, TN. More wide open, sweeping turns with incredible views, a fantastic drive. No services for maybe 50mi so be prepared.

Also, if you ever take your car out West, just about any mountain range in New Mexico has fun winding roads. When I was stationed at Holloman AFB I lived at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains and went joyriding up there at least once a month. The road to the solar observatory is fun, and there's a museum up there. And a warning sign about the altitude...

It's kinda small in that photo but
ALTITUDE: 9,250 feet
2,819 meters
PLEASE WALK SLOWLY

I have a car that I bought in New Mexico (previous owner bought it in CO), and when I was driving back to NC and took the Tail of the Dragon, I was amused by the sign that said
"Stecoah Gap, 1200 ft".
That was the lowest altitude the car had seen since 1992.

...But one of the reasons I bring up New Mexico is:
Between the towns of Cloudcroft and Artesia, large trucks are banned from the road.
They have warning signs telling truckers not to take that route, with a map telling them how they should go.

The Tail of the Dragon has tighter, less forgiving curves than that road where truckers are banned, and still the Dragon gets tractor-trailer visitors that can't stay between the white lines, much less on their side of the double-yellow.

 

[skinnyb]

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!

As a local that hits it frequently (from the Knoxville area, and a native of Asheville before 2020) hit me up when you are coming I would be glad to run it if it happens to be a weekend, or even take a day off if its mid week. I would definitely recommend going to 93, E is very spotty in East TN, and even more scarce in NC. Even finding 93 sometimes can be a challenge if you come on a week that there is a big rally going on.

And FYI, there are LOTS of less populated roads around that are just as fun to ride

 

[MidwayJ]

There’s a big Mustang event in Sevierville, TN called Ponies in the Smokies. It has all kinds of activities, and several groups run drives ToD throughout the week.

That's a week I've sometimes found myself embarrassed to be a Mustang owner. The photographers along the TotD, and even YouTubers, capture quite a few Mustangs crossing over the double yellow line. Obviously, a lot of drivers with little or no mountain road experience attend that event.

 

[Ohio_Pilot1980]

That's a week I've sometimes found myself embarrassed to be a Mustang owner. The photographers along the TotD, and even YouTubers, capture quite a few Mustangs crossing over the double yellow line. Obviously, a lot of drivers with little or no mountain road experience attend that event.

Yeah there are a few lol.

 

[5PTWHOA]

Check out Fontana village on the N.C. side for a place to stay and few places to eat up there also. It’s not far from the Dragon store or Topoco.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Sounds like fun , many members here talk about TOD , I met a Canadian from Calgary , at the Shelby American Bash 26 in Las Vegas , he was on a trip after thru Arizona and Utah then home . But has plans to Road trip to Tail of the Dragon . Maybe I should as well, sounds and looks like a blast .
Here in Arizona Northwest out of Phoenix heading thru Wikenberg towards Flagstaff on 89 , to Prescott is a fun cruise, heading out of Prescott on 89a to Jerome great switchbacks Sedona to Flagstaff is the best of the journey thru Oak Creek Visit. If you are on a road trip thru Northern Arizona ,it's worth looking into . The 4 th picture is a zoom in on the road at Oak Creek Vista to Flagstaff .

 

[pinksurfer]

Sedona to Flagstaff is the best of the journey thru Oak Creek Visit. If you are on a road trip thru Northern Arizona ,it's worth looking into .

I did sedona in the colorado last year. the oak creek road would be a blast if it wasn't for the bumper to bumper traffic trying to find a place to park at sliderock and the road construction/one lanes. this was on a thursday afternoon.

I stayed off that road the rest of the trip when going to flagstaff and williams. WAY too much traffic and sightseers for me.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

I did sedona in the colorado last year. the oak creek road would be a blast if it wasn't for the bumper to bumper traffic trying to find a place to park at sliderock and the road construction/one lanes. this was on a thursday afternoon.

I stayed off that road the rest of the trip when going to flagstaff and williams. WAY too much traffic and sightseers for me.

I haven't done the trip in a couple years, but the road construction State wide , Hwy 93 to Las Vegas is an on going project for years to come .

 

[barron64]

Highway 28 from Deals gap to the Highlands, is also a good one to check out.

 

[Anyone3505]

I did both last summer as part of a mostly unrelated 1100-mile trip. The Corvette Museum was really cool- def recommended.

There are many great roads in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Skyway was definitely my favorite, but the Foothills Parkway has some great sections, too. I couldn't explore any further to the south, but there are some more down that way.

As for the Dragon, I know people that didn't enjoy it because they didn't do any research ahead of time and showed up mid-day. Even mid-day on weekdays gets crowded with locals living their lives in work vans and Priuses obeying the speed limits (and often well below). GET THERE EARLY! If the sun is out, it's not too early- note that it takes 30-60 minutes to get there from the nearest hotels.

I arrived at about 7am on a Monday or Tuesday morning with my top up because the weather was damp in the 60s, having rained the night before, and there was still wetness in the air. But the road was wide open. Absolutely no regrets.

I could only make 1 pass (headed north) and was in second gear (6MT) the entire time. My stock GT brakes were more than enough for how I drove.

Regarding fuel- I've put almost 15k miles on my car in the last 18 months, and 40% have been on road trips- including 3 that were 1000+ miles. I've been places that didn't even have 93 octane, and plenty where the quality of the fuel was questionable.

If you can't swap tunes on the road, I wouldn't even leave your region without going back to stock or 91 octane. I don't know about E85 in that area, but there are already limited fuel stations in the region and I wouldn't want the reduced range E85 provides. Plus, E85 is absolutely not common in large parts (possibly most) of the country, especially the further east and west (from you) you go. You might miss the extra power from E85, but I guarantee it won't make you enjoy the trip any less. If anything, not having to worry about finding compatible stations and getting to fill up half as often will be an improvement.

 

[sdskinner73]

I did both last summer as part of a mostly unrelated 1100-mile trip. The Corvette Museum was really cool- def recommended.

There are many great roads in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Skyway was definitely my favorite, but the Foothills Parkway has some great sections, too. I couldn't explore any further to the south, but there are some more down that way.

As for the Dragon, I know people that didn't enjoy it because they didn't do any research ahead of time and showed up mid-day. Even mid-day on weekdays gets crowded with locals living their lives in work vans and Priuses obeying the speed limits (and often well below). GET THERE EARLY! If the sun is out, it's not too early- note that it takes 30-60 minutes to get there from the nearest hotels.

I arrived at about 7am on a Monday or Tuesday morning with my top up because the weather was damp in the 60s, having rained the night before, and there was still wetness in the air. But the road was wide open. Absolutely no regrets.

I could only make 1 pass (headed north) and was in second gear (6MT) the entire time. My stock GT brakes were more than enough for how I drove.

Regarding fuel- I've put almost 15k miles on my car in the last 18 months, and 40% have been on road trips- including 3 that were 1000+ miles. I've been places that didn't even have 93 octane, and plenty where the quality of the fuel was questionable.

If you can't swap tunes on the road, I wouldn't even leave your region without going back to stock or 91 octane. I don't know about E85 in that area, but there are already limited fuel stations in the region and I wouldn't want the reduced range E85 provides. Plus, E85 is absolutely not common in large parts (possibly most) of the country, especially the further east and west (from you) you go. You might miss the extra power from E85, but I guarantee it won't make you enjoy the trip any less. If anything, not having to worry about finding compatible stations and getting to fill up half as often will be an improvement.

Wow, thanks for the in depth response! I’ll probably just throw in the flex fuel for purposes of the trip. Living in central Indiana, I always have E close, but understand a lot of people don’t. Might as well use the extra fuel economy for the trip anyways. You pointed out some other places, I’ll create a better map. I think we’re planning far enough ahead, I’ve got time to figure it all out. Thank you!

 

[decableguy2000]

TOD is a fun road, we usually ride it twice a year. I'm only an hour away. Several other roads in the are great as well. US 441 between Cherokee and Gatlinburg is nice. Cherahola skyway, Blue ridge Parkway from Asheville to Cherokee is also nice and not very crowded. The Foot Hills Park way from the tail back towards Pigeon forge. There is not much for fuel on the dragon or E85 on NC side. The weekends can be very busy up there.

 

[m3incorp]

All great suggestions. Mine are to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge if you get the chance. Log in to the sites for the photographers and buy one of the photos of your car on the Tail.

Sponsored