Gatlinburg, TN

through Knoxville on I-40, then down to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. Lots of really nice campgrounds and RV parks that you can get into before getting into the mountains. No road problems from Knoxville, Hills and curves are just interstate normal. Park MH, use car for local trips, no problem except traffic. I-40 across East Tennessee has mountains, long grades, and is somewhat twisty. It is the major east-west route for trucks, and they manage it OK, abet somewhat slower. To get to Gatlinburg from Louisiana, you gotta cross the mountains somewhere. You will(should) NOT be taking the Motor Home into Gatlinburg, or into the Park at all. It just won't fit, period. In Gatlinburg, even bicycles are a challenge.

In respect for the Gatlinburg tourist business, I have seen people there in bigger rigs, and tour buses do it all the time. The bus drivers get paid for it, and have no problems with blocking roads, or obstructing traffic. And have special permits to do so. They are carrying lots of money-spending tourists, and that is the name of the game. Personal Motor homes are a different story, but then, it still depends a lot on how much money is involved. Private buses for big-name stars have no trouble.

Take I59 to Knoxville I40 to Sevierville turn off. Go to Pigeon Forge. Stay at Pine Mtn RV Park.

We stayed at the Riverside RV park, which is located a few miles south of I-40 on the 66.

I-59 to Chattanooga. I-75 to Knoxville. Take the I-640 around Knoxville to I-40. I-40 to exit 407(hwy 66). 66 to Sevierville. 441 to Pigeon Forge. I will rely on other for a CG. I camp in the Smokies. Cades Cove or Elkmont.

Here is another second for Pine Mtn RV Resort. If you are afraid to drive on curvy roads, plan to get to Pigeon Forge on a weekday, during the day. In the evenings and especially on the weekends, traffic can and will be horrendous.

Take your vehicle into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Go to Cades Cove early in the morning (check when you can drive in), sometimes you have to bicycle. Do not under any circumstances take your motorhome into downtown Gatlinburg or into any of the national park roads if you are not comfortable driving winding, narrow roads.

Elkmont is a very nice campground in the park, but it is up on the mountain and it's a 2 lane road getting there.

We also like River Plantation RV Park nearer to I-40 in Sevierville.

Ripplin Waters Campground is where we have stayed on all of our Smoky Mt trips since 2001. The park is just south of Interstate 40. Easy access and pull through sites make this one of the most uncomplicated places to stay. You will be north of the traffic jams of Pigeon Forge!!!

I guess steep is personal in perspective really. One person may say its no big deal while another will say no way, don't do it. What is your comfort zone? You will be in the mountains once you hit northern GA. You can't avoid what you might consider steep, while someone else says its interstate normal grades. I know LA is pretty flat.

I agree though with 59 to Chattanooga, 75 to Knoxville, 40 to exit 407. I say to just go thru Knoxville and don't do 640 around it. Time of day is important though as you don't want to hit it at rush hour. Mid day is best like noon to 3pm. Plan to arrive on a midweek day, not the weekend. I have seen 66/441 bumper to bumper from I-40 all the way to G'burg.

Lots of campground choices in the area so do some searches and see which ones may be acceptable to your needs. Look at the Cosby area too. Its directly East of G'burg on rt.321.

Looks like you have gotten good advice. Interstate to Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville and then Pigeon Forge. We like the Creekside Campground. Going up the Interstate you will see a sign stating this way to the Smoky Mountains. That will take you to Townsend and narrow winding road through the park. Go all the way in to Knoxville as everyone has indicated. Have fun and may God provide you a safe and happy journey.