Travel question (Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Cookeville: how much, live in, dangerous)

[bravesfan83]

Hi everyone!

I live in Nashville and make the drive down to Chattanooga quite a bit. But...I'm one of those people that freaks out when I hit Monteagle, especially when there's a lot of traffic. Does anyone know a route that would completely avoid mountain grade?

Thanks a ton!

[jkmewright]

Wow, how much time do you have to travel? The only way I can imagine would be to head south on 65 to Huntsville and back up to 24 via 79/279. The mountain range pretty much ends down that way. There are some back roads you can take through there, maybe Winchester to Huntland to and south on 97/65 but that might be just as scary as the mtn to you amd I think the tail end runs you over some pretty good ridges. Maybe I40 and south on 27 or 127? Man, I just don't know... That's about as good as I can do for you.

[Creekcat]

Take I-40 to Cookeville, then 111 will bring to north of Soddy-Daisy. Still have to travel down a mountain, but it's not Monteagle.

[MountainAire]

No you cannot avoid mountain grade completely to my knowledge. You are going to have it mostly any route. If you go on I40 to Cookeville, then through Sparta and Spencer on 111, there will be a downgrade coming down Cagle Mountain towards Dunlap but its pretty kind in comparrison but me thinks out of your way. Try it and see.
There is also another way I kinda know of involving back roads but pretty hard to explain if you go through Manchester and McMinnville which will take you on new highway 8. It will end up bringing you to 111 and join Cagle Mountain so you still will have some downgrade that way too. If anyone tells you to use hwy30 for petes sakes DON't. That route is insane especially if having to go through Pelham. I'd rather be boiled in oil.

[jkmewright]

Originally Posted by MountainAire

If anyone tells you to use hwy30 for petes sakes DON't. That route is insane especially if having to go through Pelham. I'd rather be boiled in oil.

LOL me too!

[Creekcat]

I had never really thought of this question. JMK's route will be truly the only one without a mountain grade, but, it could add another 2 hours to your travel time. Does traveling up or down grades bother you?

[bravesfan83]

Thanks everyone for your help!!

Creekcat-definitely down grades. Long story short, I have a skin condition that causes my hands to sweat a lot; when I get nervous, it gets even worse and I'm always afraid I'm going to lose my grip on the steering wheel going down, especially around semis LOL.

[Creekcat]

Monteagle is definitely not for you. Take 231 from Nashville through Murfreesboro, Shelbyville and Fayeteville to North Alabama. I want to say Highway 72 there, into Kimball/South Pittsburgh and back onto I-24 to Chattanooga. If time is on your side, I beleive that this route and JMK's suggestion will get you past any mountains.

[MountainAire]

Holy sweating hands Batman! I'd be skeered too! And I don't blame you cause I'm a mountain flatlander.......(huh?)
Actually Creekcat is dead on and actually you can go right into Kimball/South Pitts and go through town there and head for HWY 28. That road is super flat and straight and like no traffic to talk about nothing scary in the least. Follow hwy 28 right into dunlap and catch 111 there to Chattanooga. You have just completely avoided the downgrade on Cagle Mtn that I told you about eariler.

Hey JKMEWRIGHT...ain't that Pelham a killer???

[jkmewright]

Originally Posted by MountainAire

Hey JKMEWRIGHT...ain't that Pelham a killer???

We used to spend summers in Pelham valley on a hog and chicken farm and that mtn is a drag! No matter which side you go up or down, the big road or little one. Whew! I think the only plus to the little road was the spring water spigot on the side of the road. Do you remember when the mtn had both directions traveling on one side? Now that was a mess and SO dangerous! Our friend would definitely have an attack then