Best route to Townsend, Tn from I-81 south

The road splits soon after you pass the airport, get in the left lane.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go the way Marykalia suggested. The advice of a local resident is always the best to consider.

JayGee wrote:
Take Alcoa Hwy/Airport exit from I-40, about 386 I think. After you pass the airport bear left and follow your nose all the way to Townsend, most of it four lane. I would not go through Pigeon Forge to get to Townsend if it were me. Wave when you go through Maryville, I'll be watching. :)

Clicky

This is the way I would go - he's a local.

Take Alcoa Hwy/Airport exit from I-40, about 386 I think. After you pass the airport bear left and follow your nose all the way to Townsend, most of it four lane. I would not go through Pigeon Forge to get to Townsend if it were me. Wave when you go through Maryville, I'll be watching. :)

Clicky

No easy way to get there. If you go 81 to 40 and then exit at exit 407 and down (South) to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. Then west on the Wears Valley Rd it will get you there. That is likely the shortest but crowded with traffic from 40 to Wears Valley Rd. Wears Valley Rd is narrow and crooked as a black snake in places with no shoulder

I have frequently used the road between Pigeon Forge and Townsend which has a couple of tight loopbacks on a narrow road and the other way from inside the Natl Park entered from the south part of Gatlinburg and coming into Townsend from the National park road...

You can also use I75 at the Lenoir exit which is a nice wide road all the way through Marysville and to Townsend... For the big trailer this would probably be the best way to go but it sure is out of the way for you to go through Knoxville on I40 and pick up I75 down to the Lenoir Exit. Good signs directing you to the Smoky Mtn Natl Park...

Don't know which park you are staying at Townsend but the one I like is TREMONT which is along the creek but the bridge to get to is kinda narrow crossing the small river. Not sure if the long trailers do this bridge or not...

Roy Ken