Let’s go for a DRIVE
Chattanooga has some of the best scenery in Tennessee and what better way to see that scenery than with a scenic drive. So, without further ado, here are my favorite scenic drives in Chattanooga.
Highway 111
North of Chattanooga, Highway 111 breaks out of Highway 27 in Soddy Daisy. The scenic highway then climbs Flattop Mountain and crosses over into Dunlap. The mountain-top drive is beautiful with rolling hills, fields, and trees. As you start to descend the other side of the mountain, the Sequatchie Valley views will take your breath away. You can continue to travel Highway 111 as it passes through the valley and up the next mountain if you’d like, but I usually stop and turn around in Dunlap. Going back the same way you came is where you’ll have the opportunity to stop at the scenic overlook that I mention in my “Chattanooga Sunsets Worth the Drive” post.
Suck Creek Road
Suck Creek Road is a long stretch of road that starts at the base of Signal Mountain and meets up with the Tennessee River. The road meanders with the river for a while before ascending Suck Creek Mountain. My favorite part of this drive is the carved out rock cliffs on one side of the road and the creek on the other side. In the summer time when the greenery is lush, this drive is breathtaking. I like to take this drive and connect it with my next drive on the list for a large two hour loop back to Chattanooga. Keep reading for directions on how to execute this scenic loop.
Cummings Gap/Lee Highway
Lee Highway meets up with the base of Lookout Mountain before it heads out to meet the Tennessee River turning into Cummings Gap. The river views from this road are much more visible with the mountain backdrops making it very picturesque. Halfway through, the river runs into Nickajack Lake. This is where you can take I24 if you wish but there’s also a bridge on Lee Highway that runs parallel with the interstate that allows you to continue on your scenic drive without hopping on the big highway. Curvy country, residential roads will greet you with open arms as you continue through the valley on this side of the mountains. Of course, you can turn around at any point or make a single-direction loop following my directions below.
The 2 Hour Scenic Loop
As promised, here’s my directions for the two hour scenic loop that encompasses both Suck Creek Road and Cummings Gap/Lee Highway:
1. Take Suck Creek Road from Signal Mountain Road and drive Suck Creek Road until you enter Powell Crossroads at the bottom of Suck Creek Mountain. (about 35 minutes)
2. Once you enter Powells Crossroads, turn left at the first intersection. There will be a sign right before it directing that turning left is West 27. This is the way you want to go.
3. Continue down this country residential road also known as Griffith Highway. (about 40 minutes)
4. You will reach an intersection now with road signs pointing left to East 72 or South 41. Turn left here. You can choose to go straight if you’d rather take I24 as it’s just up ahead, but I like to keep my scenic drives on the back roads.
5. You will now be on Lee Highway and it will now cross over Nickajack Lake and take you to the other side of the water. Continue down Cummings Gap/Lee Highway and it will bring you to Chattanooga eventually by going around the base of Lookout Mountain and down Broad Street into downtown. (about 45 minutes to downtown)
Please refer to my map here as well for a visual.
For a detailed version of this 2 hour scenic loop with added stops for hiking, overlooks, food, and scenery, click HERE.
That concludes my favorite scenic drives in Chattanooga. Nothing beats a nice, long, beautiful drive taking in the scenery while listening to your favorite music. Let me know in the comments below what you think about these drives after you’ve tried them. Until next time, have fun Exploring Chatt!