Townsend Tennessee from I-40

TNGW1500SE wrote:

Helmsey wrote:
I would take I-40 through town, but not go all the way to Lenoir City and US321. Take Pellissippi parkway (aka I-140) off of I-40 to US129 and then pickup US321 from there.
The route is highligted in blue below and would save 20ish miles from going out to Lenoir City.

Good advice but I'd cut the corner off and take 129 south from Knoxville. It's not a bad road. Then I could stop at camping world (off 129) and buy something I really didn't need while on the way.

Good call, I always forget that option. When we head that way we take Pellissippi as we live closer to it.

My choice would be to go to exit 432A and pick up 411. Its new road that takes out alot of the twists and turns and narrowness...but not all. If you take this route don't turn at the Dollar General. Go another 1/2 mile and pick up the new portion of 411. Take 411 into Sevierville and go south to 321. 321 is good road till you get about 3 miles out of Townsend then it gets a bit down hill and twisty. Nothing too scary, just be cautious. Now, 411 will take you right by the Bush's Bean factory. Great little café and museum that is worth a stop. If you wish to avoid the twisty stuff then go thru K'ville to 129 and go thru Marryville to 321 and head back east to Townsend. This route is not without its own issues too. Traffic can be horrendous on 129 at any time of day. Google maps is your friend. Good luck.

What about cutting over from HWY 411 instead of going up to Kodak and coming down?

That saves about 8 miles off 66, but that is the section of 66 where you can make decent time. But because of the slower speed on 411, you aren't really going to save any time.

My daughter lives two exits down from Kodak and we have fallen in love with Cades Cove when the crowds aren't there. So we often go from I40 over to Cades Cove and then back up to Strawberry Plains. I go a bunch of different ways some of which I won't even begin to send a trailer down. As said, there isn't an easy way to get there.

It also depends on what time of day and which day you plan on getting there as that changes traffic on 66.

jaycocamprs wrote:
Wears Valley Rd, US-321 is a much easier drive than Little River Rd. The farther west the better the roads get. If I was coming from NC I'd get off at Kodak TN exit 407 and go down that way.

What about cutting over from HWY 411 instead of going up to Kodak and coming down?

Wears Valley Rd, US-321 is a much easier drive than Little River Rd. The farther west the better the roads get. If I was coming from NC I'd get off at Kodak TN exit 407 and go down that way.

Most of those rigs you see turning are probably heading to Elkmont. Map shows it is 19.7 miles from the VC to the traffic light in Townsend. Figure on it taking at least 45 minutes to drive it. Road isn't bad until you past the picnic area little over 1/2 way. You may want to virtual drive a short little bit to ensure you won't have a problem with all the curves because once you go past Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area you are committed.

kohldad wrote:
There really isn't a nice way to get to Townsend which is one of the reasons it stays a nice quiet spot.

I don't think the traffic on 66 is bad enough to justify going all the way around through Knoxville. 321 cuts off 66 before you get to the really bad section where traffic is the worse.

Two alternatives is to take exit 432A to catch 411, catch 66 south for about 4.7 mile than 321 over to Townsend. Avoids 8.6 miles of 66.

second choice which is the way I go with my TC because I don't mind slow drives and the scenery is pretty is to catch 321 at exit 440 to Gatlinburg, catch 441 to the left and fight the dozen blocks of traffic in town. Once out of town, take the right at Sugarloaf Visitor Center over to Townsend (I usually go to Cades Cove). Doable in a trailer if you don't mind county type road that curves around a lot as it follows the river (as said earlier, I usually do it in a truck camper but wouldn't hesitate pulling a trailer though a lot would recommend against it)

I believe that is the most direct route for me. (your second choice) I've camped off 321 in Cosby so I'm familiar with that part. I wasn't sure about the road from the Sugarloaf Center to Townsend. I've seen many campers turning right there so I assumed it was doable.
Any idea how long of a drive that is from the Visitor Center to Townsend?

Helmsey wrote:
I would take I-40 through town, but not go all the way to Lenoir City and US321. Take Pellissippi parkway (aka I-140) off of I-40 to US129 and then pickup US321 from there.
The route is highligted in blue below and would save 20ish miles from going out to Lenoir City.

This would be my choice. The 129/airport exit from I40 would work well too, except the Camping World stop :).

Helmsey wrote:
I would take I-40 through town, but not go all the way to Lenoir City and US321. Take Pellissippi parkway (aka I-140) off of I-40 to US129 and then pickup US321 from there.
The route is highligted in blue below and would save 20ish miles from going out to Lenoir City.

Good advice but I'd cut the corner off and take 129 south from Knoxville. It's not a bad road. Then I could stop at camping world (off 129) and buy something I really didn't need while on the way.

There really isn't a nice way to get to Townsend which is one of the reasons it stays a nice quiet spot.

I don't think the traffic on 66 is bad enough to justify going all the way around through Knoxville. 321 cuts off 66 before you get to the really bad section where traffic is the worse.

Two alternatives is to take exit 432A to catch 411, catch 66 south for about 4.7 mile than 321 over to Townsend. Avoids 8.6 miles of 66.

second choice which is the way I go with my TC because I don't mind slow drives and the scenery is pretty is to catch 321 at exit 440 to Gatlinburg, catch 441 to the left and fight the dozen blocks of traffic in town. Once out of town, take the right at Sugarloaf Visitor Center over to Townsend (I usually go to Cades Cove). Doable in a trailer if you don't mind county type road that curves around a lot as it follows the river (as said earlier, I usually do it in a truck camper but wouldn't hesitate pulling a trailer though a lot would recommend against it)