I don't go as far west as Nashville when leaving east TN because I usually start heading north into KY up through Crossville and Cookville.

I usually come down 129 from the Dragon into NC 165 (Charohala Skyway) and continue onto Tellico Plains and pick up Tn 68 toward Crossville once there you have a choice of  Tn 70N  or Tn 70  If I was going to Nashville at this point I'd probably stay on Tn 70 to  Tn 84  to  Tn 70. The reason for cutting over to 84 is purely for the twisties on 84. You won't be sorry. You could pick your way from there to Nashville on several roads or just stay on 70 all the way to Nashville