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Moonshiner 28: Deals Gap to Almond, Fontana Lake, North Carolina
Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0

Drives North Carolina The Smokies

Moonshiner 28: Deals Gap to Almond

NC 28, Fontana Road · Deals Gap → Almond

Twisty31 mi45 min4,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,500 ftOne way
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The drive

NC 28 begins at Deals Gap, where it meets US 129 at the end of the Tail of the Dragon, the 11-mile stretch of US 129 on the Tennessee line. The Moonshiner 28 drive then runs east past Fontana Village and along Fontana Lake to US 19/74 at Almond. NC 28 skirts Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the way and was extended to Deals Gap in 1954.

Fontana Dam, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, is 480 feet tall, the tallest dam in the eastern United States, and the Appalachian Trail crosses its top. The drive is 31.3 miles and takes about 45 minutes, with twisty stretches.

Along the way

  1. Deals Gap (US-129)
  2. Fontana Village
  3. Almond (US-19/74)
Elevation
4,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,500 ft
Deals GapAlmond
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
Deals GapAlmond
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Fontana Dam Visitor Center, near Fontana Village, has been reported open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from May through October; confirm hours with TVA.
  • NC 28 is part of the Mountain Waters and Waterfall scenic byways in places.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NCDOT DriveNC: traffic and road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does NC 28 from Deals Gap to Almond take?

NC 28 from Deals Gap to Almond is 31.3 miles and takes about 45 minutes.

Where does NC 28 start?

This drive starts at Deals Gap, where NC 28 meets US 129 at the end of the Tail of the Dragon, and ends at US 19/74 at Almond.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

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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 Moonshiner 28: Deals Gap to Almond, from Deals Gap to Almond