sr 394 begins at an intersection with us 11w (sr 1) in unincorporated northern sullivan county, heading southeast as a two-lane undivided road that is a secondary state route. the road winds through hilly areas of fields and woods with a few homes. farther southeast, the route enters blountville, where it widens to a four-lane divided highway and comes to an interchange with i-81. at this interchange, sr 394 becomes a primary state route. after i-81, the road passes a few businesses and becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane, running through farm fields and woodland. the route curves south and comes to a junction with sr 126 in an commercial area to the west of downtown blountville. past here, sr 394 leaves blountville and winds south through wooded mountains, turning to the east. the road runs through a retail area before it passes more woods and fields with some nearby development. the route heads past a mix of residential development and farmland before it passes southwest of the former exide technologies and turns to the southeast. sr 394 runs through an area of woods before it passes through fields. farther along, the route passes through residential areas with some businesses. the road curves east and comes to an interchange with us 11e/us 19 (sr 34) to the south of bristol.