Smokies · Mountain road guides
Moonshiner 28: Deals Gap–Franklin Scenic Section GPX
Explore the NC 28 section of Moonshiner 28 between Deals Gap and Franklin. Exact mapped GPX, road curvature, planning facts and clear itinerary limits.
- Distance (GPX)
- 55.2 mi 88.8 km
- Shape
- Scenic segment
- Driving time (planning estimate)
- 1 h 45 min–2 h 35 min
- Terrain elevation (approx.)
- 1,300–2,500 ft 390–760 m
- Start
- NC 28 / US 129, Deals Gap
- End
- NC 28, northern Franklin approach
Time covers this GPX one-way segment only, excluding the approach, return and stops. Traffic, weather, construction, road conditions and driving pace can change it substantially; it is not a live ETA.
Map/source review — not a guarantee the road is open today.
Road conditions and access can change. RevRoute does not provide live closure information. Check the official source before departure. Follow posted restrictions and never bypass a closed gate.
The drive
Moonshiner 28 is a longer named touring corridor extending beyond the Smokies. This guide covers only its North Carolina section from Deals Gap to the northern Franklin approach, following NC 28 past the Fontana and Stecoah areas.
The route does not continue through Highlands, Georgia or South Carolina. It also does not include Fontana Dam’s access road, attraction driveways or a return to Deals Gap. The section label keeps this regional outing distinct from the complete named corridor.
Expect winding mountain and river-side stretches rather than one uniform road character. Arrange fuel, breaks and any onward connection separately, and check North Carolina conditions before departure.
RevScore: this route's curviness
44/100 Twisty
Calculated from the bends and distance in this exact mapped route using RevRoute's existing scoring formula. Heading-change density: approximately 266° per km.
A geometry-based route score, not a user review, driving-performance ranking, difficulty rating or safety assessment. Elevation is not part of the current formula. Recorded-drive scores may differ because GPS sampling and speed weighting differ. Never change your speed to improve a score.
Recorded drives & leaderboard
No verified drive totals or leaderboard entries are published on this guide yet. We do not infer them from page views, GPX downloads or route previews.
Record this route in RevRouteHow these planning facts were checked
The OSRM car-routing model was checked against 100 points along this exact GPX, including its loop or segment shape—not simply the fastest route between the endpoints. The 1 h 45 min–2 h 35 min range uses rounded planning allowances of 15–75% above the model's no-live-traffic baseline. These allowances are not measured traffic statistics or a guarantee; allow extra time for lunch, photographs and other stops.
Terrain elevations were sampled at 100 points along the GPX using the USGS NED approximately 10-metre terrain dataset hosted by Open Topo Data (dataset snapshot: April 23, 2020). The displayed range is rounded to 50 feet / 10 metres. It is an approximate sampled range—not an exact road minimum/maximum, summit height or cumulative elevation gain. Terrain can differ from the road surface around tunnels, bridges and road cuts.
Facts checked October 11, 2026. Sources are linked under “Guide sources.” The original GPX remains an untimed map trace; these modeled facts are not recorded-drive measurements.
Driving notes
Drive within posted limits
These are public roads shared with residents, cyclists, wildlife and other visitors—not closed courses. Stay in your lane and leave room for slower traffic.
Plan fuel and breaks separately
Choose lawful meeting and parking places before departure. The road trace does not reserve parking or include attraction entrance roads, walking trails or lunch stops.
Main NC 28 alignment
Follow the mapped NC 28 itinerary, including its shared highway sections. A quicker road between Deals Gap and Franklin may not follow this scenic trace.
Places along the route
Fontana area
A possible separately planned stop. Dam access and visitor-area roads are not included in this GPX.
Seasons & weather
Mountain fog, wind, ice and fallen debris can change access quickly. Check the linked park, Tennessee and North Carolina road reports before departure. This source review is not a live road-status service; a GPX never overrides a gate or closure.
Questions drivers ask
Is this the entire Moonshiner 28?
No. It is the Deals Gap-to-Franklin North Carolina section, not the complete multi-state named road.
Does it include Fontana Dam?
The main NC 28 road passes the Fontana area; dam access is a separate side trip.
Does it return to Deals Gap?
No. Plan the return or onward itinerary separately.
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Take it on the road
Get RevRoute
Free to download for iPhone and Android. Download the GPX above and import it, or open Routes > Community and look for Moonshiner 28 — Deals Gap–Franklin Scenic Section. Public guide links do not open the app directly.