East Tennessee/Virginia Touring question

[Pennyrick]

My wife and I leave in a few weeks on a fall color tour of the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and a tiny bit of Virginia.

One of our overnights will be in Kingsport, TN and we need to be in Newport, TN that same day in time to check into our hotel and meet my son and his wife for dinner.

I'm looking at taking 421 north out of Kingsport and going as far north as Pennington, Va and then looping south on Highway 58 that turns into TN highway 70 (Trail of the Lonesome Pine), continuing south across Cherokee Lake down to Newport.

Does this route make sense? Can we travel it at a leisurely pace if we leave around 8 am and plan to arrive around 4:00-4:30 pm (Maybe 7 to 7-1/2 hours driving)? It looks very scenic from the satellite views... is it? Is there another route we should be thinking about? I also see a state park in Virginia called Natural Tunnel. Is this worth visiting? Will it take us out of our way?

Any suggestions or criticisms welcome.

 

[cjackg]

We have not ridden that area yet but it sure has potential... We are trying to get up there to ride Hwy 16 around Tazewell Va that has been mentioned several times lately... "Back of the Dragon"

We will be camping and riding in the area around Kingsport and Unicoi TN Oct 9--15. Let us know if you will be up that way then. :doorag:

 

[Polish Eagle]

My wife and I leave in a few weeks on a fall color tour of the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and a tiny bit of Virginia.

One of our overnights will be in Kingsport, TN and we need to be in Newport, TN that same day in time to check into our hotel and meet my son and his wife for dinner.

I'm looking at taking 421 north out of Kingsport and going as far north as Pennington, Va and then looping south on Highway 58 that turns into TN highway 70 (Trail of the Lonesome Pine), continuing south across Cherokee Lake down to Newport.

Does this route make sense? Can we travel it at a leisurely pace if we leave around 8 am and plan to arrive around 4:00-4:30 pm (Maybe 7 to 7-1/2 hours driving)? It looks very scenic from the satellite views... is it? Is there another route we should be thinking about? I also see a state park in Virginia called Natural Tunnel. Is this worth visiting? Will it take us out of our way?

Any suggestions or criticisms welcome.

Not familiar with Natural Tunnel State Park. I think you will find that Hwy.58 intersects with Hwy. 25E at Cumberland Gap, TN. Cumberland Gap to Newport via Hwy. 25E is only 65 miles. 4 lane until you cross over I-40. Very nice ride. While you are in Cumberland Gap you might want to go thru the tunnel into KY & go to the Pinnacle on top of the mountain. It is a Civil War site. Your planned route should be a nice day trip. Ride safe & enjoy.

 

[quickster47]

Back Of The Dragon is an awesome ryde.

We've done it on our Harley Street Glide and our RT.

Carl

 

[Pennyrick]

Back Of The Dragon is an awesome ryde.

We've done it on our Harley Street Glide and our RT.

Carl

Thanks.... did that last year but it is a little too far out of our way for this trip.

 

[Bob Denman]

Why not just find Lamont, and follow his taillights? :dontknow:

 

[Pennyrick]

Why not just find Lamont, and follow his taillights? :dontknow:

You kiddin'

We could end up in New York or California!

 

[Bob Denman]

But it would be EPIC!! :2thumbs: