The Ultimate Road Trip on the Joe Brown Highway
Usa, north-america
65 km
626 m
hard
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
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
hardWhere is Trico Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to San Miguel County, Colorado, and you've got a serious sense of adventure, you HAVE to check out the road to Trico Peak. We're talking SERIOUSLY high elevation and bragging rights. This is Black Bear Road (Forest Service Road 648), and it's not for the faint of heart. Forget pavement – this is a completely unpaved, super narrow, and intense 4x4 experience. You'll want a high-clearance, short wheelbase vehicle for this one; trust me. Passing is RARE, and did I mention the unnerving drop-offs? This road's known for some seriously narrow shelf segments, making it one of the most intense in the country. The window to experience this beast is small. Nestled high in the San Juans, and passing Bridal Veil Falls (Colorado's tallest!), it's usually only open from late summer (think late July) to early fall, and even then, snow can shut it down at any time. This epic stretch is around 6 miles long, connecting the legendary Million Dollar Highway to the super-charming former mining town of Telluride. Get ready for scenery that'll blow your mind – if you can keep your eyes on the road, that is!
extremeCedar Canyon Summit
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure awaits at Cedar Canyon Summit! This epic mountain pass tops out at a cool 9,917 feet above sea level, nestled in Utah's Iron County within the stunning Cedar Breaks National Monument. You'll be cruising on UT-14, a paved road that definitely throws in some steep grades to keep things interesting. Word to the wise: keep an eye on the weather forecast! This area can get hit with avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides – and patches of ice can pop up unexpectedly. So, be prepared for some seriously stunning scenery, but also remember to drive safely!
hardWhere is Forest Road 4725?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near southeastern Utah, specifically in the Manti-La Sal National Forest near the La Sal Mountains, you HAVE to check out Forest Road 4725. Seriously, this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a mile-long, unpaved rollercoaster ride that'll test your off-roading skills. The terrain gets progressively gnarlier the higher you climb. Rocky sections? Check. Brutally steep inclines? Double check. You absolutely NEED a 4WD beast with high clearance to even think about tackling this one. Trust me. Heads up: this road plays hide-and-seek with winter. At a lofty 10,600 feet above sea level, it's usually snowed in until springtime. So, before you make the trek, call the Manti-La Sal National Forest District to get the latest intel. In that single mile, you'll climb almost 600 feet, making for an average gradient of just over 11%. Oh, and the views? Absolutely insane. You're basically driving through the heart of the La Sal Mountains, surrounded by some of the most stunning peaks in the area. Get ready for an adventure!
moderateThe road to Taylor Peak in CO: a chillout in high mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for an epic Colorado adventure up to Taylor Peak! This hidden gem straddles Pitkin and Gunnison counties, offering views that will absolutely blow your mind. The road tops out at a whopping 11,817 feet, making it one of the highest drives in the state. Located in the Elk Range, within the White River National Forest, you'll kick things off near Aspen (CO-82). The whole shebang is about 24 miles long, with the first 13 or so paved and super scenic. You'll even pass the historic Ashcroft Ghost Town! Now, here's the deal: after the pavement ends, you'll need a 4x4 to conquer the unpaved section. This isn't a Sunday cruise! Snow can linger late into summer, and some years, the peak is inaccessible all year round. Expect a steep climb: you'll gain almost 4,000 feet over those 24 miles, averaging about a 3% grade. The views? Totally worth it. Just be prepared for a real off-road experience!