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The Devil's Triangle: Highway 116, Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee
Photo: Chris M Morris · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Tennessee Knoxville, Chattanooga and East Tennessee

The Devil's Triangle: Highway 116

TN 116, Briceville Highway, New River Highway · Rocky Top → Petros

Intense32 mi1 hr 5 min3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,100 ftOne way
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The drive

TN 116 runs from Rocky Top northeast through Briceville and along New River to Petros, where it passes the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. It is the western side of the Devil's Triangle.

Briceville is near Fraterville, where an 1902 mine explosion happened. Along New River the road runs beside a former rail line and many abandoned coal mines and tipples.

It is 32.1 miles and about 1 hr 5 min, rated Intense: twisty most of the way, with steep grades.

Along the way

  1. Rocky Top (US 25W)
  2. New River
  3. Petros
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,100 ft
Rocky TopPetros
Curves
Twisty most of the way
Rocky TopPetros
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Wikipedia notes TN 116 has a high crash rate, with narrow shoulders, numerous curves, unstable slopes, rockfall hazards and a lack of guardrails; TDOT announced improvements in 2013.
  • Rock and debris on the pavement are a hazard, and rockfall is a known problem on this road.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TDOT SmartWay: Tennessee road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How twisty is Highway 116 in Tennessee?

The Devil's Triangle drive on TN 116 is rated Intense: twisty most of the way, with steep grades, over 32.1 miles.

How long does TN 116 from Rocky Top to Petros take?

It is 32.1 miles and about 1 hr 5 min.

Is Highway 116 dangerous?

It has had a high crash rate, with narrow shoulders, curves, unstable slopes and rockfall hazards, so slow down and drive it carefully.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of The Devil's Triangle: Highway 116, from Rocky Top to Petros