U.S. Route 129
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 129 is an offshoot route of U.S. Route 29
, which it intersects near Athens, Georgia
. US 129 currently runs for 582 miles (937 km) from Knoxville, Tennessee
, to Chiefland, Florida
, at U.S. Route 19
and U.S. Route 98
. It passes through the states of Tennessee
, North Carolina
, Georgia
and Florida
. It goes through the cities of Knoxville, Tennessee
, Gainesville, Georgia
, Athens, Georgia
, and Macon, Georgia
. Eleven miles of US 129 located on the Tennessee/North Carolina border is known as the Tail of the Dragon, a popular motorcycle and sports car destination. This name is apparently derived from the roadway's resemblance to a dragon's back. This segment runs from Tab Cat Creek to Deals Gap and has about 318 curves.
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U.S. 129 begins at US 19
-Alternate US 27-US 98 in Chiefland, Florida
, along hidden SR 47 until it reaches Florida State Road 26 in Trenton
. From there, the road is signed along Hidden SR 49. It then moves west, briefly overlapping U.S. Route 27
(Hidden SR 20
) and heads north again in Branford
, before that road intersects Florida State Road 349
, which used to double as U.S. Route 129 Alternate. From here it intersects with U.S. Route 90
and Florida State Road 51 in Live Oak
, taking SR 51 as the new hidden State Road, then meets Interstate 10
at Exit 283, and later Interstate 75
at Exit 451. During a concurrency with U.S. Route 41
in Jasper
, U.S. 129 loses SR 51 as a hidden route then after the concurrency ends runs northwest along hidden SR 100 into Georgia.
. It approaches Athens from the south where it joins the Ga. 10 Loop
, a mostly interstate-grade bypass that rings Athens-Clarke County
. Here U.S. 129 turns right, toward the northeast, where it runs concurrently with U.S. 78
, 29
, and 441
along the bypass. US 129 intersects with U.S. 29 northeast of Athens and continues along the GA 10 Loop westward before exiting at Jefferson Road where it winds northwesterly towards Gainesville
as one of several routes to Interstate 85
from Athens.
followed by Tennessee
, through Deals Gap
.
. It runs south from the southwestern border of Knoxville and through Alcoa, Tennessee
, as Alcoa Highway, then into Deals Gap
. From here, it is also known as The Dragon and continues into North Carolina. In the eleven mile (18 km) stretch that ends just past the Tennessee-North Carolina state line, drivers will encounter 318 curves. These curves make this stretch of highway a well known motorcycle/sports car destination for locals and tourists. On weekends, through Spring to the Fall months, visitors are likely to see numerous riders and drivers here to experience the thrill and scenery.
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 29 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. This highway's northern terminus is at Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City, Maryland...
, which it intersects near Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. US 129 currently runs for 582 miles (937 km) from Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, to Chiefland, Florida
Chiefland, Florida
Chiefland is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the "Gem of the Suwannee Valley" and was incorporated in 1929.-History:...
, at U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 in Florida
U.S. Route 19 in Florida runs along Florida's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida....
and U.S. Route 98
U.S. Route 98
U.S. Route 98 is an east–west United States highway that runs from western Mississippi to southern Florida. It was established in 1933 as a route between Pensacola, Florida and Apalachicola, Florida, and has since been extended westward into Mississippi and eastward across the Florida...
. It passes through the states of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It goes through the cities of Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
, Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, and Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
. Eleven miles of US 129 located on the Tennessee/North Carolina border is known as the Tail of the Dragon, a popular motorcycle and sports car destination. This name is apparently derived from the roadway's resemblance to a dragon's back. This segment runs from Tab Cat Creek to Deals Gap and has about 318 curves.
Florida
U.S. Route 19 in Florida
U.S. Route 19 in Florida runs along Florida's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida....
-Alternate US 27-US 98 in Chiefland, Florida
Chiefland, Florida
Chiefland is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,993 in the 2000 census. and was estimated at 2,095 in 2005. Chiefland calls itself the "Gem of the Suwannee Valley" and was incorporated in 1929.-History:...
, along hidden SR 47 until it reaches Florida State Road 26 in Trenton
Trenton, Florida
Trenton is a city in Gilchrist County, Florida, United States. The population is projected to be 1,722 as of April 1, 2008. It is the county seat of Gilchrist County.-Geography:Trenton is located at ....
. From there, the road is signed along Hidden SR 49. It then moves west, briefly overlapping U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
(Hidden SR 20
Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
) and heads north again in Branford
Branford, Florida
Branford is a town in Suwannee County, Florida, United States. The population was 695 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Branford is located at .The town is located on the banks of the Suwannee River. U.S. Route 27 and U.S...
, before that road intersects Florida State Road 349
Florida State Road 349
State Road 349 is a 2 lane Florida State Road in eastern Dixie and Lafayette counties, near the Suwannee River. It is long. Near Fletcher, it intersects CR 351, a major access road to Cross City and Horseshoe Beach. The northern terminus is with an intersection of SR 20/US 27near Branford...
, which used to double as U.S. Route 129 Alternate. From here it intersects with U.S. Route 90
U.S. Route 90
U.S. Route 90 is an east–west United States highway. Despite the "0" in its route number, U.S. 90 never was a full coast-to-coast route; it has always ended at Van Horn, Texas. A short-lived northward extension to U.S...
and Florida State Road 51 in Live Oak
Live Oak, Florida
Live Oak is a city in Suwannee County, Florida. The city is the county seat of Suwannee County and is located east of Tallahassee, Florida. The population was 6,480 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,828 ....
, taking SR 51 as the new hidden State Road, then meets Interstate 10
Interstate 10 in Florida
The of Interstate 10 in Florida is the eastern most section of the east–west Interstate 10 in the Southern United States. It is also the eastern end of the Interstate Highway known as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway, one of three coast to coast interstates, along with I-80...
at Exit 283, and later Interstate 75
Interstate 75 in Florida
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Hialeah, Florida, a few miles northwest of Miami to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...
at Exit 451. During a concurrency with U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
in Jasper
Jasper, Florida
Jasper is a city in Hamilton County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,780 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,848 . It is the county seat of Hamilton County. The United Methodist Church in Jasper, Florida is on the National Register...
, U.S. 129 loses SR 51 as a hidden route then after the concurrency ends runs northwest along hidden SR 100 into Georgia.
Georgia
U.S. 129 provides the primary route between Middle Georgia and AthensAthens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. It approaches Athens from the south where it joins the Ga. 10 Loop
Georgia State Route 10 Loop
State Route 10 Loop is a beltway around Athens, Georgia, United States. Except for a single at-grade intersection, it is built to freeway standards. Much of the road is concurrent with other routes - U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 78, U.S. Route 129, U.S...
, a mostly interstate-grade bypass that rings Athens-Clarke County
Clarke County, Georgia
Clarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
. Here U.S. 129 turns right, toward the northeast, where it runs concurrently with U.S. 78
U.S. Route 78
U.S. Highway 78 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 715 miles from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, South Carolina. Between Memphis and Birmingham, Alabama, it is being upgraded to become Interstate 22....
, 29
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 29 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. This highway's northern terminus is at Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City, Maryland...
, and 441
U.S. Route 441
U.S. Route 441 is a spur route of U.S. Route 41. It currently runs for 939 miles from U.S. Route 41 in Miami, Florida to U.S. Route 25W in Lake City, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee...
along the bypass. US 129 intersects with U.S. 29 northeast of Athens and continues along the GA 10 Loop westward before exiting at Jefferson Road where it winds northwesterly towards Gainesville
Gainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
as one of several routes to Interstate 85
Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
from Athens.
North Carolina
From the Georgia state line, it travels northeast to Topton, where it goes north to RobbinsvilleRobbinsville, North Carolina
Robbinsville is a town in Graham County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 747 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Graham County. Robbinsville High School is the only high school in Graham County...
followed by Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, through Deals Gap
Deals Gap, North Carolina
Deals Gap is a portion of U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee, which also lends its name to a small unincorporated community and motorcycle resort situated in a gap in Swain County, North Carolina, United States. It is located along U.S. 129 at the Tennessee state line. The community has an...
.
Tennessee
The northern terminus of US Highway 129 is at Knoxville, TennesseeKnoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
. It runs south from the southwestern border of Knoxville and through Alcoa, Tennessee
Alcoa, Tennessee
Alcoa is a city in Blount County, Tennessee, United States, south of Knoxville. Its population was 7,744 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, as Alcoa Highway, then into Deals Gap
Deals Gap, North Carolina
Deals Gap is a portion of U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee, which also lends its name to a small unincorporated community and motorcycle resort situated in a gap in Swain County, North Carolina, United States. It is located along U.S. 129 at the Tennessee state line. The community has an...
. From here, it is also known as The Dragon and continues into North Carolina. In the eleven mile (18 km) stretch that ends just past the Tennessee-North Carolina state line, drivers will encounter 318 curves. These curves make this stretch of highway a well known motorcycle/sports car destination for locals and tourists. On weekends, through Spring to the Fall months, visitors are likely to see numerous riders and drivers here to experience the thrill and scenery.