Knoxville TN to Roan Mountain State Park

[TNrob]

Planning to use I-40 to US 321 to Elizabethton and on toward Boone. Then down into park from the North. Anyone know of any issues I might run into?

[Travlingman]

jaycocamprs wrote:
From Hampton to Greeneville it's good road, you wont have any problem. But from Jonesborough all the thru Elizabethton is kinda slow with lights. And you do go right by ETSU on your way thru Johnson City.
My mistake was going that way one the way home.

To drive from Hampton to Greeneville you have to drive through Johnson City and Jonesborough. Do you mean Newport to Greeneville?

TNrob wrote:
I'm in a 3/4 ton crew cab with a 19' TT. I was trying to avoid some of the interstate time, but maybe straight through Johnson City isn't the best idea. Anyway, 321 into Elizabethton and 19E down to Roan Mountain. Staying in the Park for 4 days and day-tripping over to Boone, Johnson City brew tours, Elizabethton antiques, who knows where all...

I've never been out that way beyond Elizabethton and unsure of road quality. I know from the map that coming up to the park from the south looks really twisty.

Since staying at Roan, you don't won't to go 321 to Boone and then back down to Roan. That is where you will see the curves not counting a few good uphills and downhills. 19E from Elizabethton to Roan is good road, nothing major and not curvy at all. You will have no problems.

Another route in to consider is staying on I-81 until exit 69, Blountville. This is also the exit to Bristol Motor Speedway. Turn right on 394 and follow it to the intersection with 11E/19E,right past the speedway, there will be a store on left, Pit Row convenience before intersection. Turn right onto 11E/19E and go about 3 or 4 miles to 19E. This is just past Lakeview campground. Exit to the right, you will go under 11E, and then just stay straight on it until you get to Roan mountain. This route will take you around a lot of traffic, only have about 4 red lights on this route until Elizabethton. You will also skip driving through downtown Elizabethton, a lot of red lights, also can be crowded depending when you come through. This also misses I-26 which can get backed up during certain times and has a lot of traffic around Johnson City.

Whichever route you take in, there is no need to go up to Boone and then back down to Roan. Just take 19E to Roan as it is good road.

[jaycocamprs]

From Hampton to Greeneville it's good road, you wont have any problem. But from Jonesborough all the thru Elizabethton is kinda slow with lights. And you do go right by ETSU on your way thru Johnson City.
My mistake was going that way one the way home.

[TNrob]

I'm in a 3/4 ton crew cab with a 19' TT. I was trying to avoid some of the interstate time, but maybe straight through Johnson City isn't the best idea. Anyway, 321 into Elizabethton and 19E down to Roan Mountain. Staying in the Park for 4 days and day-tripping over to Boone, Johnson City brew tours, Elizabethton antiques, who knows where all...

I've never been out that way beyond Elizabethton and unsure of road quality. I know from the map that coming up to the park from the south looks really twisty.

[Travlingman]

What kind of vehicle will you be in? Are you staying in Boone to come down to the park instead of just going up from Elizabethton?

[jaycocamprs]

I would go up I-81 to I-26, then take US-231 thru Elizabethton. We went south though Johnson City last time we were up to Boone to many lights for me.