chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops

Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Please be patient, this may take a minute. From Gatlinburg, take the US-441 south to Cherokee and then join the US-23 passing through Franklin and Tallulah Falls, continuing for 197 miles as you make your way into the Deep South and the city of Atlanta. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other spots in Tennessee and North Carolina. It will allow you to relax, unwind, and be fully refreshed before continuing your drive. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? This post has already been read 2799 times! The distance between Chicago and Smoky Mountains is 2206 km. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. In fact, the nearby park entrance at Townsend is closer to Cades Cove, a preserved pioneer community, than the Gatlinburg entrance (7.3 vs. 27 miles). The incline was mostly easy but there were some tight spots as we neared the waterfall and the sign board reminded us of the lurking danger. It was labor day weekend of 2010, when we planned this trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. So, there we went. If you are a music lover, head to a show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? Currently, there is no shuttle service that connects to Gatlinburg. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. So, it took us couple of hours to have lunch. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. The social distance requirement in Smoky Mountains is 2 metres. If you take the fastest route, and all factors remain constant, the road trip from Chicago to Asheville will take you about 10 hours and 05 minutes. At 160 miles, this extension to the trip should take a little under 4 hours and 30 minutes, but there will be countless opportunities to stop and admire the stunning mountain vistas and the many fantastic places you will pass along the way. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. Required fields are marked *. ), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, Atlanta also boasts a fabulous mix of natural beauty and cutting-edge architecture. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. Check out our best short vacation ideas for Gatlinburg to get started! The treeless Dollar caters primarily to beginner and lower intermediate skiers; the primary mountain for advanced skiers is Bald Mountain, or "Baldy", next to the city of Ketchum. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Chicago - the starting point of Route 66. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. Run though the tech essentials to turbo-charge your road trips. From Pigeon Forge, head south on US-321 to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy one of the many mountain trails before joining US-441 and heading towards the loop. Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. There are a few things to see in the Louisville/S. United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago to Smoky Mountains every 2 hours. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. Since you have some time on your way down, you might consider taking I-65 through KY. There are lots of things to do in Gary IN if you take 90. With the help of car insurance comparison and broker app with help from Jerry A road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take you to one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, through some of the most majestic mountain scenery, taking in many interesting attractions along the way. to honor the goddess of Athena. Your email address will not be published. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. www.outdoorsy.com. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. Prices start at $100USD per night. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Fly Chicago O'Hare to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Fly Chicago Midway to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. The Townsend Wye popular swimming spot. Donna Sapolin January 30, 2021 Take the scenic route from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina and soak up the majestic beauty of mountains dressed in winter white. Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. Ordinarily, flying is a more expensive way to make it to the Smoky Mountains, but if you're coming from Chicago, you might want to consider it for several reasons. 1. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. If you appreciate the beauty of foliage in the fall season, making the trip in autumn is for you. We went back to our cottage to recharge the batteries and then went for Skylift again, to take advantage of the night views. Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in central Idaho, in the western United States. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. 180 miles into your journey, this vibrant city is a car enthusiast's dream. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. customize this trip Day 1 11:00 am start in Chicago drive for about 2.5 hours 1:41 pm Crawfordsville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:41 pm drive for about 2.5 hours 5:00 pm Sellersburg (Indiana) If traffic or construction along I-65 is particularly bad, you might want to consider by going through Cincinnati, though this route adds about 1 hour of driving time. South of Lexington is Berea, KY. The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. And you can now go glamping near Gatlinburg, Tenn. The Sherman Minton on I-64 is toll free but the bridge is currently under construction. The hotel is located close to many of the unique local attractions, and a visit to the Titanic Museum will not disappoint. It turns out you dont have to head to Athens, Greece, to see the Parthenon, which was completed in 432 B.C. The one time i took 65, i left VERY early (5.30 AM) and beat the morning rush if you get out early on a saturday morn, you SHOULD be OK, but you'll still encounter a lot of trucks. IMO, the few advantages of 65 over 57 is it's about 30 or 40 miles shorter (big whip if you get stuck in traffic), it's more scenic (57 doesn't start getting interesting till southern ILL), and it allows you to circumvent downtown nashville more easily as traffic there can be just as bad as chicago at times. but since you're stopping there one of the ways, it's a moot point. second the chattanooga traffic comment we just passed thru there over t-giving and it was HORRIBLE, and there's no viable way to get around the city because it's surrounded by mountains. also, about a half hour north of chattanooga along I-24 is the monteagle pass.. it's one of the steepest stretches of interstate i've ever experienced and best done during the day.. people fly up and down that stretch, so be aware of that since there are some pretty decent turns on it as well. if it's been raining, there are some pretty cool waterfalls (albeit man-made as they tumble down the road cut) along the way, but watch your speed! I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. Theres also six underground zip lines that make up the worlds only fully underground zip line course. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Road Trip from Chicago to The Great Smoky Mountains, Snow Tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Best Spring Break Road Trips from Chicago, Road Trip from Chicago during historic Winter Storm, Road Trip from Chicago to Pensacola and Florida panhandle, Disney World Lightning Lanes + Tips and Park Planning Strategy, https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. Most of the trip will be on the Interstate-65, a perfect road for such a journey. This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 May consider driving around. Initial stop was Mammoth Cave, did the short 1-2 hour tour and got on the road to Chattanooga. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has so much to offer and we advise taking at least three days to make the trip, but even then, it will still be impossible to explore everything on this route. 10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. The direct Interstate-65 route will introduce you to some truly memorable scenery. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. You could allot two weeks for the trip. It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. Here are five reasons why you should. With only 48 hours in Gatlinburg, you'll need to optimize your time to keep the fun going. Visit the Island, a 23-acre entertainment destination with fun for all the family, and a trip to Pigeon Forge would not be complete without a visit to Dollywood, recognized as one of the world's best theme parks, with something for everyone. Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is a luxury experience in tents equipped with the creature comforts of home. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. If you are in that area, do visit this museum. . Click here to skip back to the top. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Take in the great outdoors and stretch your legs with a trail walk, or visit the Wild Bear Falls Water Park. Required fields are marked *, Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, on Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Yellowstone National Park | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Key West, Florida |Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the national park due to its plentiful wildlife and many historic buildings you can explore. Sign up for our newsletter! The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. During the summer months, it can be hot, averaging around 90 degrees in the Deep South and Florida, so air-conditioning is a must. Its Luhville to you. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. When you board one of Pink Adventure Tours signature pink Jeep Wranglers, youll soak up more information than you thought possible on your Smoky Mountains tour. Be sure to check out the upscale restaurants in Market Square or enjoy a stroll along Gay Street. Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, none beats the elegance and beauty of Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection. Nashville hotels are expensive, so if you don't need to stay in Nashville, pick an interchange on the outskirts where there are a cluster of hotels + restaurants nearby. Take a walk and explore the historical Whiskey Row area with its fabulous selection of restaurants, urban distilleries, and shops. At Louisville Mega Cavern, youll have an adventure like none other, exploring some of the 17 miles of corridors beneath the city. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. Michael Jackson's childhood home and after that there is not much to see except ground hogs on the side of the road when you hit the Tennessee border. We did not see many vegetarian options there. Rise and shine We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . . Other attractions include The Johnny Cash Museum, National Corvette Museum and the Nashville Flea Market (held the fourth weekend of every month). Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. Pass Gary then take the I-65 and head south, through endless fields of windmills, before arriving at Indianapolis. After cruising through the few miles of the road which meanders along the Little River, we parked here and spent couple of hours on the river, enjoying the stream of cool flowing water. Leaving Louisville, take the Interstate 64 E into the heart of Bluegrass Country, and after 80 miles, you will arrive at Lexington. . Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. Alternatively, you may use. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. If you want to enjoy a Smoky Mountains road trip on your drive from Chicago, be sure to check out some of the top sights along the way! It was outlandish, insane and incredible trip all together. Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. After making the journey to reach the Smokies, which in itself is an excellent road trip, make the most of this magical mountain wonderland by taking an excursion through the park to fully explore this magnificent landscape. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the countys towns of Townsend, Maryville, Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville and Rockford offer travelers a ton of things to do from regional dance and theater performances at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville to in-depth history of the Smoky Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. First, 10 hours of driving takes a lot of energy and time you might rather want to use for enjoying your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. We saw kids as young as 4 years in the rafts. What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. You can choose to stay in one or more of the many fascinating cities along the route or take a more secluded getaway in one of the national parks. I've got some great ideas from all of the replies. He knows his home well -, Planning adventures in the great outdoors? . The most popular road trip route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes through Louisville. . Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak, Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. The River Rat Water Tubing Outpost river tubing, swimming and cliff jumping, highly recommended. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). I made this trip about six years ago. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. Our hiking blog has tips and tricks for vacationers in Gatlinburg who want -, Any time of year is a great time to visit Gatlinburg and the Smokies! The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. And the glass bridge was totally worth the hype! View all posts by Amit Sharma, Your email address will not be published. From Nashvillehead toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. If you plan to see the annual Kentucky Derby, the hotel is close to Churchill Downs, home to the racecourse and also the Kentucky Derby Museum where you can learn all about the history of the world's most famous race. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. May consider driving around. Your email address will not be published. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Made with polished stainless steel, the sculpture features an arch that enables you to walk under it and see your contorted reflection in the steel walls. Walk along sloped decks, see the grand staircase, touch an iceberg and witness hundreds of original artifacts. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47804918', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg has a similar area so not sure if you want to check that out or not. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. The museum has many exhibits, including robots, science puzzles, timeline of atomic discoveries,a display devoted to nuclear weapons and the Y-12 Plant, and a solar energy demonstration project. Then, stretch your legs, head to the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashvilles Music Mile to see the names of accomplished artists with a Nashville connection of all musical genres. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Both known for German heritage. The mountain town of Pigeon Forge in eastern Tennessee is a must for fans of Dolly Parton, as it's where her Appalachian-themed Park Dollywood is located. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. On third day of our trip, we started driving back towards Chicago, and this time we stayed in Indiana for the night and drove back straight to the house next morning. An important thing to know is the citys name is actually pronounced Luhlville by the locals and everyone else in Kentucky. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. We did ours at the Walmart store at Knoxville which was around 30 mins away from our cottage. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' The country music capital of the world, with an incredible food and drink scene, a thriving art movement, and wonderful architecture. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. Hello my husband and I will be traveling with our 11month old from Chicago to Hilton Head Island on Saturday, May 14th and trekking back on Saturday, May 21st. Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. You will cover a distance of 657 miles should you choose to drive without making a stop. Your email address will not be published. Simply select the 2 3 properties you wish to compare, then click "compare" to see these rentals side-by-side. While in the park, see videos of different Nashville music artists talking about trees, how to take care of them and why they are important. Please share your thoughts on this post or your own Smoky Mountain Trip ideas in the comments section. Bad part Every one of them was brimming with people. A road trip from Chicago to Miami is an epic north-to-south adventure. Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. Meet our new guest blogger! Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! Take a tour of the Mysterious Mansion, a haunted house that delights in frightening visitors all year round. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $220-$330 and takes 46h 9m. As far as bridges go, you will have to cross several on your route to and from Hilton Head. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. If you choose to visit during spring, the crowds will be significantly smaller and hotel prices relatively low. 321 just west of Townsend 18 miles up Chilhowee Mountain. Chicago to Arches National Park, Utah | Road trip | GhoomnaPhirna, Chicago to Duluth | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Gorakhpur to Lumbini, Nepal | Roadtrip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Myrtle Beach | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Smoky Mountains easy. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. Then on Day 2, you could easily include side trips to and stops at both Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before finishing up in the Great Smoky Mountain are for a couple of days. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. I use AllTrails.com as my trail guide and have found their trail inventories well-equipped, here is the link to other hiking options at Smoky - to help you get the most out of your next trip. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains? For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. The I-40 corridor between Asheville to TN is steep and in Knoxville, you get on I-75 which will also have a steep incline until you get to KY . It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Baldy has one of the higher summits of the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, that are located in the Sawtooth National Forest. If you saw the 1975 movie Nashville, youll recognize this iconic structure.