The Ultimate Road Trip on the Joe Brown Highway

The Ultimate Road Trip on the Joe Brown Highway

Usa, north-america

Length

65 km

Elevation

626 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for the Joe Brown Highway – also known as the Unicoi Turnpike – a true backroads adventure snaking through the wild heart of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee!

This beauty stretches for about 40 miles (65 km) between Tellico Plains, TN, and Murphy, NC. Picture this: mostly paved roads (20 miles of twists and turns!), then BAM! You hit about 10 miles of well-maintained dirt. It's car-friendly, but maybe leave the buses and big rigs at home for this one – it gets narrow and winding with zero spots to turn around.

You'll climb to about 2,053 feet (626 meters) at Unicoi Gap. Give yourself at least 2 hours to soak it all in, but trust me, you'll want to stop for photos. Fair warning: cell service is pretty much non-existent for most of the drive. You're essentially following an old trading route used by the Cherokee, so you're cruising through history.

Where is it?

The Ultimate Road Trip on the Joe Brown Highway is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.9214, -95.9916

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
65 km
Max Elevation
626 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
38.9214, -95.9916

Related Roads in north-america

The sandy road to Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Utahmoderate

The sandy road to Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Utah

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, adventurers, let's talk about getting to Peek-a-boo Gulch in Utah's Kane County! This incredible slot canyon is hidden away in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, but reaching it is half the fun (and half the challenge). The road, known as BLM 252, branches off from Hole in the Rock Road. It's only 1.6 miles long, but don't let the short distance fool you. This is a completely unpaved track, and it's covered in deep, soft sand. Think you can handle it? You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 with low range. Seriously, this isn't the place to test out your sand driving skills. Even seasoned off-roaders can get stuck, so come prepared and know your limits. The views are totally worth it, but be prepared for a true off-road experience!

Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BChard

Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC

🇨🇦 Canada

Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, is your ticket to a seriously stunning and less-traveled road trip through British Columbia. Snuggled within the Coastal Mountains, this beauty stretches for 129 km (80.1 miles) from Whistler to Lillooet, getting its final coat of asphalt back in '91. Now, hold on tight! This road's got some serious climbs, hairpin turns that'll test your brakes (and maybe your nerves!), and drop-offs that are, well, massive. Expect single-lane bridges, potential avalanche zones, and the occasional rock fall – it's a mountain road, after all. If heights aren't your thing, maybe focus on the road ahead! Cell service can be spotty, and you won't find any gas stations along the way. While it's usually open year-round, winter can bring closures due to weather, so summer's your best bet for a smooth ride. The highest point is Cayoosh Pass, sitting at 1,291m (4,235ft) above sea level. Budget about 2 hours for the drive, not counting stops. And trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are incredible. Think switchbacks and single-lane bridges mixed with majestic scenery – it's a drive you won't forget. Motorcycle riders and car enthusiasts alike will be grinning ear to ear. For an extended adventure, start in Vancouver, cruise the Sea to Sky Highway, pass through Pemberton, onto the Duffey Lake Road and then loop back down the highway for a total journey of 575 km (360 miles), taking about 6-8 hours depending on traffic and your ride. Ideally, spread it over two days, but a single-day blitz is doable too!

Where is Height of Land?easy

Where is Height of Land?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Maine, in Franklin County, specifically, and you stumble upon this place called Height of Land. It’s not just a name; it’s a promise! We're talking an elevation of 2,247 feet (685m), so you know the views are going to be epic. You'll find this gem in the Rangeley Lakes Region, so you already know you're in for some serious natural beauty. The best part? The road is completely paved, smooth sailing all the way. It's actually part of the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway, a 52-mile stretch of pure driving bliss. Trust me; you'll want to roll down the windows for this one. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! It's seriously one of the most stunning spots in Maine. They've even got plenty of parking so you can take your time soaking it all in. You'll be treated to panoramic views of pristine lakes like Mooselookmeguntic, majestic mountains, and even a glimpse of the White Mountains in the distance. Get ready for some serious photo ops!

Navajo Pointhard

Navajo Point

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Iron County, Utah, and you've got a serious craving for some high-altitude thrills, then Navajo Point is calling your name. We're talking a whopping 10,459 feet above sea level! Now, heads up: this isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be tackling Forest Service Road 281, which is mostly gravel and rocks. Translation? 4x4 is a MUST, and maybe bring your nerves of steel, too. It's steep in places and definitely not for the faint of heart. Oh, and forget about it in the winter—completely impassable. But trust me, the views? Totally worth it. Just imagine standing on top of the world, gazing out at the incredible Utah landscape. If you're comfortable with unpaved mountain roads and a healthy dose of adrenaline, Navajo Point is an unforgettable experience!