A couple of years we (wife and I) on a vacation rode down to Greenville ,S.C. to see some old friends. We stayed overnight in Chillicothe, Ohio but then the real ride started. We rode south on US52/US23/US58 down to Kingsport, TN. If you ride to Kingsport then north to Portsmouth, Ohio those are some good roads that are cut through the mountains or wrap around the mountains. Good experience for a flat lander like myself, then head west and make your way back to Indy from Portsmouth. My wife took a ton of pictures to keep her occupied. If you decide on this route there is an anomaly in the road just north of Ashland, Ky. Don't know what you are looking for, this is just a suggestion.

 

Let me throw this at you. I assume you mean Lexington, KY.? Head over to Winchester, KY and get on the Mountain Parkway towards Prestonsburg, KY. You can pick a multitude of routes from there to Hazard, KY. About 20 minutes from Hazard go to Hyden, KY and get on 421 south to Pennington Gap, VA. Pay attention and you will see the Gorilla face in the rock cliff right after you cross the VA line. Outside of Pennington Gap get on Rte. 70 South towards Rogersville, TN. You can stay in Pigeon Forge, Johnson City, TN, or go on towards Ashville, NC. Sunday morning get up ride towards Waynesville, NC and go down to Deals Gap. Go thru the Gap to Sevierville or Knoxville and super slab it home. I have no idea of the miles, but it would be a great ride.

 

Cherohala skyway is an awesome ride. I ride it regularly. The dragon is best during the week and NOT on weekends.

 

 

I was in West Virginia once...man it gets dark down there don't they have street lights???

 

 

Hit the Mountain Parkway to Prestonsburg. From there you can go North or South and work your way back west. I suggest the Southeastern corner around Pikeville, Whitesburg, Harlan, Hazard. You could ride on west to Corbin and slab it back to Lexington. I had some excellent rides there this summer. Nice curvy roads and some beautiful scenery. Wherever you go you will enjoy.

 

Also in Indy. Take 74 to 275 to 75. Skip Louisville. Knoxville has a bunch of stuff to do. There's a great rest stop with a tourist info center right across the TN line. Stop in, and hit the Knoxville rack.

You absolutely have to visit Smoky Mountain Harley in Alcoa. Foothills, Dragon, Cherohala are all lifetime experiences.

 

Check out the red river gorge area and the Nada tunnel is pretty cool. I just got back from that area. You can also the natural bridge while you are there.
The tunnel is on highway 77 leading in to the gorge.