Cherohala Skyway Note.

Hope nobody needs this info, but just in case . . .


SPEED LIMITS ON THE CHEROHALA - We have checked with two different sources on the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

One source who patrols the Cherohala area regularly says the speed limit is 30 mph the entire way from Tellico Plains to the North Carolina State Line. But it is only posted with two signs in those 21 miles. One is near the Tellico Plains City limits and another about mid-way up the Cherohala at the Indian Boundary turn-off. NOTE: We do not have information on how close speed limit signs have to be to establish a speed limit on any section of roadway. Please let us know if you have this information.
The other HP source, when I tell him the signage situation, says that the speed limit is 65 unless posted with more signs at regular intervals. Note: The Tennessee speed limit laws state that the maximum speed limit on all “Other Roads” is 65 mph unless posted otherwise.

Here are some things to say if you get pulled over for speeding on the Tennessee side of the Cherohala:

1. Mention the signs for 30 mph and say that you thought Tennessee law was that the speed limit was 65 unless otherwise posted. You thought the 30 mph signs were just slowing traffic for Tellico and Indian Boundary intersection.

2. At the State Line there is a REDUCE SPEED AHEAD sign as you enter North Carolina where the speed limit is posted 45.

3. There are curve signs on the Tennessee side with recommended speeds of 35 mph. Surely the state would not post a higher speed limit on the curve warning signs.

In reality no-one is really sure of the speed limit. We have never seen it strictly enforced on the Tennessee side, but we have heard of tickets being issued. We regularly travel at 55-65 mph as does most of the car and cycle traffic.

The North Carolina side is posted as 45 mph. It is sometimes enforced, especially on week-ends and holiday periods. The helicopter enforcement no longer exists, but you will find radar by NCHP and Graham County Sheriff deputies


See you at the Dragon !!