It then goes east as a narrow, curvy, 2-lane highway as it goes through Midway and then some mountains before entering Paint Rock and having a junction with SR 322, a loop route through Sweetwater.

It then begins paralleling the Tennessee River as it enters Loudon, and finally leaves the mountains and curves behind.

SR 72 then has an interchange with I-75 before going through Loudon's main business district and having a junction with US 11/SR 2.

It then bypasses downtown to the south before leaving Loudon and the Tennessee River to turn and go southeast.

It then follows the banks of the lake, crossing into Blount County for a short distance, before ending at an intersection with US 129/SR 115 near Tallassee.