When traveling to the Smoky Mountains from the North and West, I-40 East through Knoxville, Tennessee to exit 407 is the shortest and most traveled route into the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area. Although this may be the easiest route during the winter and early spring months, during the busier times of the year, summer months, car shows and the fall color change in October highway traffic in the Smokies can be bumper to bumper, especially along the primary routes of Highways 66 and 441 leading into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While they are currently working to widening highway 66 the current road construction project is not scheduled to be completed until the fall of 2014.
Try one these less-traveled and more scenic routes to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg … these routes maybe a little bit further, but can easily save you hours in traffic congestion and frustration. The following alternate directions should help you avoid the majority of the traffic on your way to our area.
Alternate Directions from the North via I-75
(Ohio, Indiana or Lexington, Kentucky)
- From I-75 heading South towards Knoxville, take the I-640 West exit.
- Follow 640 West to I-40 West.
- Take I-40 West to exit 376B, I-140 East towards Maryville. Travel approximately 11 miles and take exit 11A towards Alcoa US-129 South. Go past the McGee Tyson Airport into Maryville to the intersection of Hwy 321 and Rte 129.
- Follow the signs to Townsend and The Great Smoky Mountains.
- Once you arrive in Townsend, follow the signs to Pigeon Forge, you will be making a LEFT continuing on 321, following the signs to Pigeon Forge through the beautiful Wears Valley area. You will travel 14.7 miles to Pigeon Forge.
- Turn left onto Sand Pike Blvd between Advance Auto Parts and Mountain National Bank.
- The Cabin Fever Vacations office will be almost immediately on your LEFT.
Alternate Directions from the West via I-40
(Wichita, Kansas City, St. Louis or Nashville)
- From I-40 heading East towards Knoxville, take exit 376, I-140 East towards Maryville.
- Travel approximately 11 miles and take exit 11A towards Alcoa US-129 South. Go past the McGee Tyson Airport into Maryville to the intersection of Hwy 321 and Rte 129.
- Follow the signs to Townsend and The Great Smoky Mountains.
- Once you arrive in Townsend, follow the signs to Pigeon Forge, you will be making a LEFT continuing on 321, following the signs to Pigeon Forge through the beautiful Wears Valley area. You will travel 14.7 miles to Pigeon Forge.
- Turn left onto Sand Pike Blvd between Advance Auto Parts and Mountain National Bank.
- The Cabin Fever Vacations office will be almost immediately on your LEFT.
Alternate Directions from the South
(Tampa, Birmingham, Atlanta or Chattanooga)
- Take I-75 North (heading towards Knoxville, TN) to exit #81 for Lenoir City.
- Upon exiting the ramp, turn right onto Hwy 321 North. Stay on this road, following the signs for the “Smoky Mountains”. This will take you through Maryville, Walland and Townsend.
- Once you arrive in Townsend, follow the signs to Pigeon Forge, you will be making a LEFT continuing on 321, following the signs to Pigeon Forge through the beautiful Wears Valley. You will travel 14.7 miles to Pigeon Forge.
- Turn left onto Sand Pike Blvd between Advance Auto Parts and Mountain National Bank.
- The Cabin Fever Vacations office will be almost immediately on your LEFT.
Alternate Routes to Gatlinburg
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:
Take I-40 West to Exit 443 and follow Foothills Parkway to Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes.
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.
