What about taking 297 south out of Jellico and getting back on I-75 at MP 144? That looks like a viable alternative on a map, but I have never been down the road before. The traffic info channel (1620 AM at the border) says that trucks are diverted that way, but in the few times I have been through there, they are steering ALL traffic towards 25W.
I have not had much issue traveling 25W to LaFollette, but all my trips have been before noon - averaging about 35 mph for the duration of the road. That being said, on my return trips around dinner time, I have seen solid bumper to bumper traffic for the last 7 miles of 25W southbound and both lanes of 63 heading from 25W back to I-75. The detour at that time would take about 2 HOURS to get through. 63 from the I-75 and to 25W north is not much of an issue although if you are traveling N on 25W back towards Jellico - watch for all the traffic (especially the trucks) that are well over the double yellow line in corners. I have had several "pucker moments" with cars and trucks literally 3 or 4 feet into my lane. Keep your eyes on the road.
