16 Oct Hurricane Helene Recovery and Road Impacts
Know before you go
The East Tennessee Crossing Byway and I-40 through the Smoky Mountains were hit particularly hard by road damage related to Hurricane Helene. If you’re travelling from points north/south (I-75 or I-65 corridors) or west (I-40, I-24), the roads are clear.
For those that are traveling from the south (I-95/I-26 or I-40) between North Carolina and Tennessee, there are lane closures and/or portions of I-40 and I-26 that are not yet open.
While most of the East TN Crossing Byway remains open, consider this alternate route while storm recovery continues between Newport and Hot Springs.
Alternate route
Follow U.S. 25- E between the Cumberland Gap and Morristown. Pick up on U.S. 11-E in Morristown and turn onto TN 160/66 Chucky Pike to Mossy Creek. Pick up on U.S. 11-E to TN 92, past the Cherokee Dam. Turn left on Owl Hole Gap Road and follow to U.S. 11-W. Follow the signs to Blaine and turn right on TN 61 towards Luttrell. Follow TN 61 to Washburn and then loop back on U.S. 25-E to Cumberland Gap. The distance from Morristown back to Cumberland Gap is about 78 miles.
For the most up-to-date road closure information, visit TDOT and N.C. DOT.