Pigeon Forge to North Carolina

[DallasSteve]

I'm in Pigeon Forge, Tenn and in 2 days I am going to Hendersonville, NC pulling a big travel trailer. Google offers me 2 routes through the mountains: I-40 and 441. It recommends I-40. Highway 441 looks beautiful, but more twisty. Would you take I-40 pulling a big travel trailer?

[ken56]

411 was moved and is all new road from Newport to Bush's. It will be extended to take out the last of the 2 lane out of Chestnut Hill and connect to the straight part of 411 and that is slated to be widened to 4 lane all the way to Sevierville sometime in the future.

[ferndaleflyer]

I doubt that, that route past Bush is pretty straight and level. At least it was last fall. Someone should have mentioned not to use GOOGLE out of Pigeon Forge, I made that mistake once long ago.

[ken56]

Had to be the part going to Bush's Beans. Your only other choice was to go straight up the parkway to the 407 exit/entrance where the new Buc-ees is being built. Glad to hear you made it though.

[DallasSteve]

ken56 wrote:
DO NOT DO 441 WITH A BIG TRAILER. It is steep and very curvy. I see class C's with burned up brakes all the time on the Gap road. It would be a workout towing a big trailer and you better have some mountain towing experience behind you if you do take it on.

Do the 40 to 26 route. SO much easier. I have a 37 ft. trailer and I don't even try to go over the Gap....I go around. Take Veterans Parkway out of Pigeon Forge....that's the road Dollywood is on. Go up to 411 and head east. It will connect to 40. There will be a short distance with some curves and a slight downhill grade and it goes by the Bush's bean plant and visitor center. Lots of room for a trailer to park and go in the visitor center. Then the road opens up to a new 4 lane divided Hwy. all the way to 40. (40 is a right turn when you hit 25/70, 411 ends there)

As far as going through the Pigeon River Gorge just fall in with the trucks and follow them. It's up hill for about 20 miles but not terribly steep, but steep enough to keep your foot heavy on the gas pedal. Pass the trucks if you have to. There are 2 tunnels that have plenty of height so don't worry when you see the sign.....take up both lanes if you have to to go through the middle if you're more comfortable with that. I have no trouble with my 2500 and my trailer...10KGVWR.

I took the trip today and I started on your route. Then Google maps started to send me off some country roads. I should have written down your instructions and re-worked the Google route before I left. It was white knuckle driving for about 30 minutes then I finally got to I-40 and it was pretty easy after that.

[DallasSteve]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go the route that Ken56 suggested.

[ferndaleflyer]

And semis don't travel through the park + it will take twice as long to get to Hendersonville going over the top dodging tourists, bikers, and hikers. Stay on the big roads, less white knuckles

[Veebyes]

Been over 441 from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee a few times. Don't remember if dragging the 5er or not. Don't recall anything especially difficult about it.

Yes, there are a few switchbacks but no particularly long steep grades. Toughest section is coming out of Gatlinburg.

My general policy is, if the semis can do it, I can do it.

[ferndaleflyer]

411/35through Chestnut Hill to I-40 then pick up I-26 below Asheville. We stayed below Hendersonville last year. We have also made several trips to Pigeon Forge and several through the park to Cherokee but always in the toad. I wouldn't even think of it with my DP or a large trailer and I have driven in some mountains. On 40 I just set my cruise control and ride other than down Black Mountain. There slow down and be safe.

[Horsedoc]

Don't go through the Park. Even if you don't have issues, there are going to be LOTS of folks who are going to. No places to pass. steep grades - up and down. Think of the people you are going to inconvenience if you go that way.

[ken56]

DO NOT DO 441 WITH A BIG TRAILER. It is steep and very curvy. I see class C's with burned up brakes all the time on the Gap road. It would be a workout towing a big trailer and you better have some mountain towing experience behind you if you do take it on.

Do the 40 to 26 route. SO much easier. I have a 37 ft. trailer and I don't even try to go over the Gap....I go around. Take Veterans Parkway out of Pigeon Forge....that's the road Dollywood is on. Go up to 411 and head east. It will connect to 40. There will be a short distance with some curves and a slight downhill grade and it goes by the Bush's bean plant and visitor center. Lots of room for a trailer to park and go in the visitor center. Then the road opens up to a new 4 lane divided Hwy. all the way to 40. (40 is a right turn when you hit 25/70, 411 ends there)

As far as going through the Pigeon River Gorge just fall in with the trucks and follow them. It's up hill for about 20 miles but not terribly steep, but steep enough to keep your foot heavy on the gas pedal. Pass the trucks if you have to. There are 2 tunnels that have plenty of height so don't worry when you see the sign.....take up both lanes if you have to to go through the middle if you're more comfortable with that. I have no trouble with my 2500 and my trailer...10KGVWR.

[wildtoad]

If it were me, I’d go I40 > I26 to Hendersonville.

[rk911]

how "big" is big? years ago we drove our 35' class A MH towing our Jeep SUV (total length was 45-46 feet) over 441 to Cherokee and then US19 to Waynesville where we picked up the Blue Ridge (had to go to Waynesville as we were too tall for some of the tunnels). 441 was a very nice drive, curves and all. we're selling our 40' class A (close to 60' with the Jeep in tow) but we wouldn't hesitate to go 441 again.

[phil-t]

We chose I40 a couple years ago for that route. Considered 441 but did not do it for the reason of twisty roads. We may do it at some point.
I40 is no "piece od cake" driving. Lots of grades and curves.