Explore Tennessee’s Interstate 81 from Dandridge to Kingsport, a 59-mile drive through farmland, Appalachian foothills, and the Holston Valley. This scenic route links historic towns, rural landscapes, and the bustling Tri-Cities region.
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is a major north-south route running 854 miles from Tennessee to the Canadian border in New York. Explore its key cities, scenic views, and vital role in Eastern U.S. travel and freight movement.
Interstate 81 (I-81) is a major north-south highway in the eastern United States, stretching approximately 854 miles from Dandridge, Tennessee, to the U.S.–Canada border at Wellesley Island, New York. A vital artery for both commercial and regional traffic, I-81 largely parallels the Appalachian Mountains and serves as an important inland alternative to the often congested I-95 corridor along the East Coast.
The route traverses six states: Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia (briefly), Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Virginia alone, I-81 runs for over 320 miles, making it the longest segment within any single state. The highway connects key cities such as Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Hagerstown, Harrisburg, Scranton, and Syracuse. I-81 also intersects with several major Interstates, including I-40, I-64, I-70, I-76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike), I-78, and I-90, offering broad access across the northeastern U.S.
Often used by truckers due to its relatively rural alignment and lack of urban congestion, I-81 is a critical freight corridor. In recent years, states along the route have proposed or initiated improvement projects to manage increasing traffic volumes and enhance safety. The corridor is also known for its scenic stretches through the Shenandoah Valley, rolling Pennsylvania farmland, and the foothills of upstate New York.
Drive the Interstates