From its southwestern terminus it heads northeast and passes through the town of Petros and past Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.

This section of the highway parallels Walden Ridge to the immediate southeast, and a former spur of the Norfolk Southern Railway (now closed), and passes through Briceville, Fraterville which was the site of a 1902 mine explosion, "The Wye" near the former mining camp of Beech Grove, and finally through a gap in Walden Ridge to enter Rocky Top.

This addition to Route 116 parallels the busy railroad lines of both the CSX and Norfolk Southern, and I-75 immediately to the west as it passes through the community of Vasper.

Petros, Briceville, Rocky Top, and Caryville are the only towns of any sizeable population today along Route 116.

In 2013, the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced plans for $1.2 million in roadway improvements, including widening of shoulders and addition of guardrails, pavement markings and signs.