Justin is about on the mark with his mileage. Take it from someone who has run from I-40 in Tennessee to the dam and back many times. It isn't bad if the water is slick but out of 365 days in a year only about 5 are that way. LOL A strong north or south wind will beat ya to death. I run the main lake from Blood north all the time. The east channel is much larger and easy to run but you have to get over there first. The west channel is tighter and you have to watch the channel markers and your GPS/LCR much closer. The banks can offer a little wind break. If the wind is tending to come from the northeast the east channel can be calmer. But if the wind is coming from the northwest, the west channel can be better. But depending on your boats ability and even your own ability to handle rough water driving around to launch at a closer ramp can be the way to go.