SE TN trip Last week of March
Depending on weather and recommended time for each, I'm thinking of Chicago to Chattanooga (via Lexington and Knoxville) then up 411 to Alcoa, then Pigeon Forge, Smoky, to Blue Ridge to Asheville. B...
Forum Discussion
OK, your initial route either through Nashville or Lexington doesn't seem to be too much difference according to the Good Sam trip planner. 40 miles LONGER to go through Nashville rather than Lexington...so your choice. I will say that if you haven't been to the Hermitage outside of Nashville it's a great stop for kids to see the history of our nation. If you cut over to Cincinnati you could stop at the Ark Adventure if that would interest the family. .
441 is actually doable in your C but the grades are steep and long because you are going uphill one way and down hill the other side of the Gap, 5049 feet elevation from 1289 feet at Gatlinburg. The road itself will handle your 31 feet as the curves are wide and accommodating. Use the tranny as much as you can and keep your speed down. Don't burn up your brakes, there's plenty of turnouts for stops to cool them off if need be. Be sure you want to tackle it because it will be a workout.
At the bottom of the hill is the Oconaluftee visitor center for a stop. The Elk graze there at times right off the side of the road. If lucky you will see them. Then in Cherokee is the Museum of the Cherokee Indian which is worth the time to see. The kids might like it.
I know Chattanooga was the original destination and it too is in itself a weeks stay to see everything there. You have a full schedule to do all you want to. Anyway, the Blue Ridge Parkway is right there just past the visitor center so you could hop on there and head to Asheville on it. It's a great drive but check the tunnel heights but I think your C will fit easily. You might see elk on that stretch too. Aside from the Biltmore I'm not sure what might be of interest there for your family.
Your route out of Asheville is a nice route but there is a low clearance coming into Newport and I forget what it is exactly, 13 ft. or something like that. We have friends out that way so I can check it and let you know soon. BUT, it's a good choice and a nice ride with good road that your C can do just fine. A stop in Hot Springs might be a good place to stretch the legs. Just remember, you are in the Appalachians and there is hardly any straight stretch of road and it's up and down hills everywhere...with hardly any shoulder.
441 is actually doable in your C but the grades are steep and long because you are going uphill one way and down hill the other side of the Gap, 5049 feet elevation from 1289 feet at Gatlinburg. The road itself will handle your 31 feet as the curves are wide and accommodating. Use the tranny as much as you can and keep your speed down. Don't burn up your brakes, there's plenty of turnouts for stops to cool them off if need be. Be sure you want to tackle it because it will be a workout.
At the bottom of the hill is the Oconaluftee visitor center for a stop. The Elk graze there at times right off the side of the road. If lucky you will see them. Then in Cherokee is the Museum of the Cherokee Indian which is worth the time to see. The kids might like it.
I know Chattanooga was the original destination and it too is in itself a weeks stay to see everything there. You have a full schedule to do all you want to. Anyway, the Blue Ridge Parkway is right there just past the visitor center so you could hop on there and head to Asheville on it. It's a great drive but check the tunnel heights but I think your C will fit easily. You might see elk on that stretch too. Aside from the Biltmore I'm not sure what might be of interest there for your family.
Your route out of Asheville is a nice route but there is a low clearance coming into Newport and I forget what it is exactly, 13 ft. or something like that. We have friends out that way so I can check it and let you know soon. BUT, it's a good choice and a nice ride with good road that your C can do just fine. A stop in Hot Springs might be a good place to stretch the legs. Just remember, you are in the Appalachians and there is hardly any straight stretch of road and it's up and down hills everywhere...with hardly any shoulder.
