ALTERNATE ROUTES
Highway traffic in the Smokies can be a bear, especially along the primary routes of Highways 66 and 441 leading into Sevierville and through Pigeon Forge. The good news is that you can avoid all that traffic on your way to Gatlinburg from now on! Take one of these less-traveled and scenic routes to Gatlinburg and you're well on your way to the perfect mountain getaway.
ALTERNATE SCENIC ROUTES SAVE GAS & TIME
It's easy...
Take the less-traveled and scenic alternate routes to Gatlinburg and on your return home ... it’s a little bit further, but can easily save you over an hour in traffic congestion. It’s a secret worth sharing, so here’s an alternate route map developed with your relaxation and the scenery in mind!
For a map of the new, quick & easy route through Sevierville & Pigeon Forge, click here!
FROM VIRGINIA: Take I-81 South to I -40 East to Exit 435 (Newport) and follow Hwy 321 South all the way into Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes
FROM LEXINGTON: Take I-75 South to I-640 East, then I-40 East to exit 435 (Newport) and follow Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes
FROM CHATTANOOGA: Take Exit 81 on I-75 North and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.
FROM NASHVILLE: From I-40 take I-75 South to Exit 81 and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.
FROM ASHEVILLE: SPECIAL ALERT! Due to a rockslide on I-40 west of Asheville in October '09 that may take four or more months to clear, the two following interstate detour routes are suggested.
Express Route via Scenic Interstate Byway: I-40 travelers are advised to utilize I-81 and I-26 corridors as shown in blue on the map. This route adds roughly 50 minutes to travel time, and is one of the nation’s only interstate Scenic Byways.
Detour Options via Dixie Highway: Travelers may also utilize US-25/US-70 as shown in orange on the map. This route adds roughly 30 minutes to the travel time and is a beautiful scenic mountain highway. Only passenger vehicles are permitted on this road - it is not a commercial travel route (i.e. Motorcoach, RVs or dual-axle vehicles). Please consider possible weather and traffic congestion issues on this winding two-lane road.
FROM ATLANTA: Take I-85 North to I-985 North to US 23. Take US 23 to Highway 23/441 to Highway 74/441 through Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from Atlanta: 4 hours 10 minutes.
FROM KNOXVILLE: Besides Hwy 321 through Maryville and Townsend, another alternative to the Hwy 66 construction zone is Hwy 441 South (Chapman Hwy) from I-40 Exit 388 in Knoxville to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from Knoxville: 55 minutes.
