Cincinnati to Deals Gap Route

[Neub]

Early September will be meeting up with my son who lives in Covington to ride down to Deals Gap. Rather than slab it down there and possibly reinventing the wheel was wondering if anyone has already developed an interesting route from Cincinnati to Deals Gap...either route sheet or gps file they would like to share? Any suggestions/recommendations would be geatly appreciated. Thanks, Randy Apple Valley, MN

[TN2Wheeler]

Hard to beat US421 when you're coming this way. There are certainly more convoluted routes but 421 is easy to follow and quite entertaining. Goes to Bristol rather than directly to Maryville but if you're going to be down here and you're into famous motorcycle "destinations" you really should ride "The Snake" around Shady Valley, TN. Make a route from Mountain City across the mountain to Robbinsville, NC and approach Deals Gap on US28. Much better than the highly populated Knoxville/Maryville side.

Jim Randall

[Patmo]

I think I can help you out here......

From Covington, 1st go over to Newport and pick up route 9 going south, this becomes the AA highway. Take it a short distance and get off at route 27/Alexandria, follow this south to Paris. At Paris you pick up route 627 to Wincheser and pick up 89. Follow 89 to McKee and pick up 421. Stay on 421 until just past the Daniel Boone Parkway/Manchester and pick up route 11. Take 11 south to route 25 and go left. Stay on 25 through Pineville and Middlesboro. This will take you through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, which is pretty cool by itself. When you get through the tunnel you will be in Tennessee.

Once in Tennessee you have many choices of which way to go, but this is the way I like best.....

Stsy on 25 until you reach route 33. Turn right on 33 and follow it west until you reach route 131. Take 131 west to I-75. Get on I-75 and go south into downtown, stay on 75 and it combines with I-40, keep going 75S/40W. Very shortly after the two combine you get off on route 129. Follow 129 south all the way to Deal's Gap.

[stevegrab]

I think I can help you out here......

From Covington, 1st go over to Newport and pick up route 9 going south, this becomes the AA highway. Take it a short distance and get off at route 27/Alexandria, follow this south to Paris. At Paris you pick up route 627 to Wincheser and pick up 89. Follow 89 to McKee and pick up 421. Stay on 421 until just past the Daniel Boone Parkway/Manchester and pick up route 11. Take 11 south to route 25 and go left. Stay on 25 through Pineville and Middlesboro. This will take you through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, which is pretty cool by itself. When you get through the tunnel you will be in Tennessee.

Once in Tennessee you have many choices of which way to go, but this is the way I like best.....

Stsy on 25 until you reach route 33. Turn right on 33 and follow it west until you reach route 131. Take 131 west to I-75. Get on I-75 and go south into downtown, stay on 75 and it combines with I-40, keep going 75S/40W. Very shortly after the two combine you get off on route 129. Follow 129 south all the way to Deal's Gap.

Don't travel that route much, but looking at Pat's idea there are definitely some good roads included.

[stlthmsta]

May I interject a thought here? While near the Cumberland Gap, take the park road to the top for a gander around. If it's a clear day you won't be disappointed. If it's not, it's worth the ride up and down then go on your way. Tom McK, North East Cinci suburbs.

[Neub]

Thanks everyone for the help. Jason put Pat's route into Google Maps and I will be moving it over to a GPX file. Going to add a day or two and takes Jim's suggestion and ride from Deals Gaps over to the Snake as well, will start working on the route next and from their back to Covington. Thanks and if anyone wants the gpx files once I'm done let me know. Randy

[C.H. Luke]

Thanks guys. Want to try it this coming weekend from Ann Arbor. Will take Fri and Monday off work. Going to watch the weather of course.

[kawasakibob]

Thanks guys. Want to try it this coming weekend from Ann Arbor. Will take Fri and Monday off work. Going to watch the weather of course.

Hugh, Glad you found something you can use. I've taken this route many times with Pat & can guarantee you'll love it. But be advised
it dose take longer time to get there but well worth it.
Hope to see you at our next breakfast meeting Oct. 27th.