SWFL to Gatlinburg area

We use to rent cabins every Thanksgiving when our boys were younger. Now we’re empty nesters and haven’t been up that way for years. Thought we’d take the TT and head up that way. Not so much for the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge but for the beauty of the area. Love hiking to the waterfalls, Cade’s Cove and the Mtns.

Stick to I-75 then because the other routes will have a few good grades but no terrible turns. 441 to 23 is not daunting really but it has a couple of fair climbs up and down. I-40 goes through the Pigeon River Gorge too but again its not daunting even for flat landers. Use your tranny and gear down for the down hill runs. I-75 takes you through Atlanta and Chattanooga, I've been through both and a dose of patience is helpful with all the traffic. The option of hopping off I-75 at 411 might be preferable to going through Chatt. Its good mostly 4 lane divided hwy. but you will go through the little burgs along the way so some stop and go involved.


The Smoky Mountains are truely beautiful so have fun planning your stay. I moved to the area from MI and we love it here. Best place I have ever lived and I have lived in more than a few.

Being from Fl, I’ve never towed in the mountains although I’ve driven through them before. I really would like to avoid twist n turns and any mountain climbs.

We take 441 every time we go to FL and back. I like it because its not the crazy interstate. BUT, if time is essential to you stick with 75. Pick up 411 north of Marietta GA to miss Chattanooga. Its good road all the way up to Maryville TN where you will pick up 321.

If you stay on 441 you will go through Newfound Gap. Its steep and twisty but if you are experienced in mountain driving its do-able. OR you have the option, the one I use, is pick up US23 (441 runs into 23) all the way to 74, then east to I-40, pick up 321 out of Newport TN. You have options.

Depends where you are going in the Gatlinburg area. If staying in Sevierville or Pigeon Forge you might want to get off I-40 eastbound at exit 407, TN 66.

The suggestion to avoid Atlanta and go north in US 441 is also a good one. We've been over the mountain thru the GSMNP many times with various size RVs. It's doable with all size RVs, just shift down heading down to Sugarlands from Newfound Gap.

We're in Miami. When we go to the Smokies, we go up I-75, but HATE going thru Atlanta. We leave I-75 at Macon, cut north-east over to Rt 441 and all the way up thru the park. North-East Ga. Talulla Gorge is a beautiful area.

You could get off 40 at 339/ foothills parkway, some overlooks and not bad. Might save you 30 min but 321 is good.