The last stretch before the mountains
Clinton is the Anderson County seat, just off I-75 at Exit 122 (SR 61). North of it, the interstate passes Lake City (Rocky Top) at Exits 128 and 129 and Caryville at Exit 134, then starts the long climb through the Cumberland Mountains toward Jellico and the Kentucky line — the highest point on all of I-75.
That makes the Clinton area the place to catch a problem before the grade. A truck running a little hot, a DPF that needs a regen, or a brake that’s dragging will usually be much worse at the top of the mountain — or halfway down the other side.
Truck stops and exits north of Knoxville
- Emory Road / Powell (Exit 112). The north edge of Knox County.
- Raccoon Valley Road (Exit 117). A Pilot Travel Center in Heiskell with fuel, CAT scales, and limited truck parking.
- SR 61 / Clinton and Norris (Exit 122). Clinton to the west, Norris and Norris Dam to the east.
- Lake City / Rocky Top (Exits 128–129). US-441 and US-25W.
- Caryville (Exit 134). The start of the mountain section.
Clinton Highway (US-25W) runs parallel to the interstate from Knoxville through Powell into Clinton, and carries plenty of local truck traffic of its own.
What we get called for around Clinton
- Cooling System & Radiator Repair — trucks running hot before or after the climb north of Caryville.
- Air Brake Service — brakes that are dragging, smoking, or out of adjustment after the downgrade southbound.
- Emergency Roadside Assistance — breakdowns on I-75 between Powell and Lake City.
- Mobile Tire Service — blowouts on I-75 and US-25W.
- DPF, DEF & Regen Service — regens and DEF faults on trucks that pulled off at Raccoon Valley or Clinton.
Roads we run near Clinton
- I-75 from Powell (Exit 112) through Raccoon Valley (Exit 117), Clinton (Exit 122), and Lake City (Exits 128–129)
- Clinton Highway (US-25W) from Knoxville through Powell to Clinton and Lake City
- SR 61 between Clinton, Norris, and Oak Ridge
- SR 170 (Raccoon Valley Road / Edgemoor Road) toward Oak Ridge
Nearby service areas
Clinton mobile truck repair: questions
Do you go past Caryville toward Jellico?
Our core area runs through Lake City and Caryville. For breakdowns farther north on the mountain, call — dispatch will tell you honestly whether a mechanic can reach you.
Is there a truck stop between Knoxville and Clinton?
Yes. There’s a Pilot Travel Center at I-75 Exit 117 (Raccoon Valley Road) in Heiskell. Parking is limited, so it can fill up at night.
Do you cover Norris and Lake City?
Yes, along with Clinton, Powell, and the rest of Anderson County around I-75.
My brakes smell hot after coming down from Jellico. What should I do?
Pull off somewhere safe — the Caryville or Lake City exits are the first real options southbound — and let them cool. Don’t keep riding hot brakes. If they’re smoking, dragging, or won’t hold, call.