Tail of the Dragon: US 129 Scenic Route and GPX

The drive

Tail of the Dragon is the tightly winding US 129 mountain road around Deals Gap, at the Tennessee–North Carolina border. This guide uses the existing RevRoute Community trace rather than duplicating it under a second name.

The mapped 10.9-mile scenic segment begins north of the NC 28 junction and follows US 129 into Tennessee. It is not the entire US 129 highway, a round trip, or an exact promise that every advertised Dragon endpoint matches this trace.

Its frequent curves reward attention, not speed. Treat the road as a public highway: keep to your lane, obey posted limits, and stop only where parking is lawful. Plan the approach, return and any connection to Moonshiner 28 separately.

RevScore: this route's curviness

How 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 35 min–50 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Vehicle restrictions matter

   Large commercial vehicles are restricted on this section. Check the current state road notices and posted signs rather than assuming this GPX permits every vehicle.

Places along the route

• Deals Gap area

  A separate meeting or refreshment stop near the southern approach. Parking, access and business hours are not guaranteed by the GPX.

Questions drivers ask