Last time I went to Cumberland I blindly followed GPS in the middle of the night. Hiway up into some hills and then a sudden exit that turned to miles of a gravel goat path (for lack of a better word) that suddenly popped out on a road leading me the rest of the way in.

It’s been a while so I don’t remember my route, but trying to avoid this route this time. Was hoping a local may know what the heck I’m talking about and help me stay off that damn road!

Where are you wanting to go on Lake Cumberland and where at in Virgina are you coming from? For us going to Lake Cumberland State Park / State Dock we come in on Cumberland Parkway and get off on Hwy 127 and that leads us directly threre. This may be an option depending your route and destination.

Jpzaluski,

GoogleMaps has route options you can set. I haven't looked, but I'd guess there are setting to stick to major roads. I just did a quick route check from Roanoke to StateDock (right at 7hrs), and it looks like it's pretty much all interstate until you turn off onto 127. Have your Dramamine ready for that last little bit, closing on the park; it's a dragon. If you're heading to the other end of the lake, you'll turn off the interstate a bit sooner on 27 and come into Burnside (just shy of 6hrs), but you'll still be on pavement the entire trip. No matter where I route to on the lake, GoogleMaps estimates 55-60MPH average speed (towing would obviously be a bit slower), so it definitely looks like there are no gravel roads along the way.

Such an interesting landscape around Cumberland. The route to StateDock and the route to Jamestown are COMPLETELY different trips, once you leave 75, even though they are directly across from one another on the lake.

Thanks. Brad.

We drove from St Louis and it got a little bit scary in the hills. Next time major hwy or land at different airport! Good luck !

Yep, I would suggest using Google maps. Map it out on your PC, and then send it over to your mobile device. You can use your mouse to move the route to take you to the next town or 'bigger' road on the map, rather than getting the shortest path.

Years ago, Docmanrich and I towed his 37' AT from Smith Mountain Lake to Lake Cumberland. We didn't end up on any gravel roads, but I didn't know there were paved goat trails in that area. The last 60 miles or so were s-k-e-t-c-h-y!

Yeah but it was worth the trip wasn't it

I’ll be headed to Somerset… wish me luck lol

FYI that's the wrong end of the lake. The bigger and cleaner water is down on the dam end - especially this time of year.

Broke a drive, and didn't finish the run. But I rode on the 38PP from Michigan that Robbie owned at the time. LOVED that monster of a boat!

Are you coming to Lake Cumberland Thunder Run or just coming for a vacation?