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The Snake: Highway 421, Shady Valley, Tennessee
Photo: Aplomado · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Tennessee Knoxville, Chattanooga and East Tennessee

The Snake: Highway 421

US 421 · Bristol side → Mountain City

Intense23 mi40 min3,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,900 ftOne way
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The drive

The Snake is US 421 in far northeast Tennessee, driven here from the Bristol side at Pemberton Road to Mountain City. Wikipedia counts more than 400 curves over about 30 miles, and the road runs over two mountain ranges with Shady Valley between them.

From Bristol the road climbs Holston Mountain, drops into the Shady Valley crossroads, then climbs again over Iron Mountain to Mountain City's Main Street. The route is 22.9 miles and climbs about 3,400 feet to a high point near 3,900 feet. It is rated Intense, with three twisty stretches between miles 6 and 20.

Along the way

  1. Bristol side (Pemberton Road)
  2. Shady Valley
  3. Mountain City (Main Street)
Elevation
3,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,900 ft
Bristol sideMountain City
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
Bristol sideMountain City
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Trucks use the whole lane on the tight bends, and there can be gravel at side roads.
  • State troopers patrol the road.
  • Motorcycle riders use it heavily, so expect them in the curves.

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

Questions about this drive

How long does The Snake (US 421) take to drive?

US 421 from Bristol's Pemberton Road to Mountain City is 22.9 miles and takes about 40 minutes.

How many curves are on The Snake?

Wikipedia puts the count at more than 400 curves over about 30 miles of US 421 between Mountain City and Bristol.

Is US 421 The Snake open?

It is normally open, but storms and repairs can close mountain roads in this region. Check TDOT SmartWay before you go.

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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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
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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 The Snake: Highway 421, from Bristol side to Mountain City