Motorcycle route Tail of the Dragon (US-129)
318 curves in 11 miles: the stretch of US-129 between Tennessee and Deals Gap, North Carolina, is the most famous motorcycle road in America. It runs through dense forest on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, so the pavement can stay damp in the shade long after the rain has stopped.
59 mi
1h58
US-129 (Tail of the Dragon) from Maryville to Deals Gap; on to Robbinsville via US-129 / NC-28 (Cherohala Skyway as an option)
No tolls on US-129.
Weather along the route right now
Free preview: we split the route into 6 points and show the forecast for the estimated time you'll pass each one, departing on the next full hour.
1. Maryville
Passing ~05:00 PM · 0 mi
69°F
Mostly sunny
2. Maryville
Passing ~05:06 PM · 4 mi
72°F
Mostly sunny
3. Blount
Passing ~05:13 PM · 8 mi
72°F
Clear sky
4. Blount
Passing ~05:19 PM · 13 mi
74°F
Clear sky
5. Monroe County
Passing ~05:25 PM · 17 mi
74°F
Clear sky
6. Blount
Passing ~05:36 PM · 21 mi
73°F
Clear sky
7. Blount
Passing ~05:46 PM · 25 mi
72°F
Clear sky
8. Blount County
Passing ~05:59 PM · 29 mi
72°F
Clear sky
9. Blount
Passing ~06:10 PM · 34 mi
72°F
Mostly sunny
10. Blount
Passing ~06:21 PM · 38 mi
71°F
Mostly sunny
11. Swain County
Passing ~06:31 PM · 42 mi
72°F
Mostly sunny
12. Graham
Passing ~06:39 PM · 46 mi
71°F
Clear sky
13. Graham
Passing ~06:45 PM · 50 mi
70°F
Clear sky
14. Graham County
Passing ~06:51 PM · 55 mi
70°F
Partly cloudy
15. Robbinsville
Passing ~06:57 PM · 59 mi
70°F
Mostly sunny
Route data from OpenStreetMap and forecasts from Open-Meteo — variations may occur.
Gas stations, food and tolls
In the app you can toggle markers for gas stations, food and tolls along this route, with a direct link to Google Maps for each point.
Maryville → Calderwood → Deals Gap → Robbinsville
Riding the Dragon
The 11-mile core is a nonstop sequence of tight, blind curves with no shoulder and steep drops. Stay in your lane: oncoming riders and trucks often cross the double yellow.
Law enforcement patrols heavily and the speed limit is 30 mph. Ride at a pace where you can stop inside the visible road.
Weekends in spring and fall are packed. Early weekday mornings have far less traffic.
Smoky Mountains weather: fog, wet shade and storms
Morning fog often sits in the valleys along the Little Tennessee River and Calderwood Lake, cutting visibility in the curves.
The forest canopy keeps the pavement wet for hours after a shower, and leaves and gravel collect in the apexes in autumn.
Summer afternoons bring pop-up thunderstorms. Check the forecast for the hour you'll be in the curves, not just for Knoxville or Robbinsville.
Fuel and stops
Fill up in Maryville or along US-129 before the mountains. Fuel is limited near the Dragon.
Deals Gap, at the NC end, is the classic stop: the Tree of Shame, souvenirs and photos.
Robbinsville gives you access to the Cherohala Skyway and the Moonshiner 28, two more famous rides.
Tips for this road
- Ride early on a weekday for clear roads and better odds of dry pavement.
- After rain, expect wet patches in the shade even when the sky has cleared.
- Bring a rain layer in summer: afternoon storms build fast over the Smokies.
- Watch for gravel and leaves in the apexes in autumn.
Rider questions
How long is the Tail of the Dragon?
The famous part is 11 miles (about 18 km) of US-129 with 318 curves, ending at Deals Gap, NC. Riding there from Maryville takes about an hour.
What is the best time to ride the Tail of the Dragon?
Early mornings on weekdays, once the valley fog lifts. Check the hourly forecast for the curves before you go.
Is the Tail of the Dragon dangerous in the rain?
Yes. The shaded pavement stays slick, the curves are blind and there's no shoulder. Avoid it during storms and ride slowly on wet patches.
Calculate this route with your own departure time
Alternative routes, storm alerts and the full map with forecasts for every stretch.
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