If you’ve been lucky enough to take many of the scenic drives around Kentucky, then you know our state is filled with diverse roadways that stretch through farmland, around rocky gorges, over mountains, and along waterways. Pick a backroad in Kentucky – or even a highway – and you’re bound to find a scenic and interesting stretch of road. Down in the area where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia come together is Cumberland Gap, a region known for its scenic roads. While most enjoy driving above ground, you may be surprised to learn of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Kentucky. This stretch of highway is one of only two mountain tunnels in the country that crosses a state line and if you have yet to experience it, take a closer look.

In the southeastern corner of Kentucky, the state joins up with Virginia and Tennessee in an area known as the Cumberland Gap.
Alltrails/Philip Douglas
This historic land offers some of the best hiking, views, and outdoor adventure in our region. One of the best places to experience and see it all is along the Tri-State Peak Trail, shown above. Here you can stand in all three states at once!
When those outside of Kentucky think of Cumberland Gap, they likely think of Tennessee since that's where the town of this name is located.
Flickr/OZinOH
Cumberland Gap, TN, shown above, is a great spot to visit, but when traveling around this area of Kentucky and Tennessee, you'll want to make sure to take a drive through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.
This mountain tunnel opened to traffic in 1996 after decades of planning and building.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
It was decided that the best course of action to lessen traffic in the area was to build a tunnel that traveled straight through the mountain, connecting Kentucky and Tennessee. It's now one of only two mountain tunnels in the country that cross a state line.

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The tunnel has two tubes, each one 4,600 feet long, and each allows two lanes of traffic.
Wikipedia/Stratosphere
The view above shows HWY 25 in Kentucky, headed into the tunnel and toward Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.
While building this tunnel, there were of course some construction concerns, including the discovery of underground springs and streams.
Wikipedia/Dwight Burdette
Because of this issue, each tube is lined in a thick PVC layer to prevent leakage. Another feature of the tunnels is special lighting that allows drivers' vision to adjust as they drive into the underground tunnel.
If you've ever driven through the tunnel from Tennessee into Kentucky, then this was your view.
Wikipedia/w:en:Calpicon
This is such a stunning area of our country and one of the most geologically diverse in our state. And you can drive right through this natural beauty and come out on the other side, thanks to the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Kentucky.

The Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Kentucky is truly unique as you’ll cross from one state into another, all while driving through a mountain. It’s not a feature many would think to find in the Bluegrass State, but we know that Kentucky offers many one-of-a-kind experiences and places in every corner of the state. Have you driven through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Kentucky? Did you know this piece of trivia about our state? Let us know in the comments!

And if you’d like to learn more about the hike that takes you to the spot where you can stand in three states at once, check out the Tri-State Peak Trail in Kentucky.

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