Tennessee: Cosby to Chattanooga

[michigansandzil]

We are staying in Cosby this April to visit the Smokies for a week. One of those days we are going to drive out to Chattanooga for the day and return to Cosby at night. Looks to be a 3 hour drive.

Any suggestions for a route to take aside from what mapquest advises?

Thanks

[ken56]

My wife and I just relocated to Dandridge TN from Mich. this past June. We are close to Cosby and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. I don't know if you have been in the area before but there is so much to do and see here that I would suggest that if you would like to visit Chatanooga that you plan a trip specifically to that area as there is also alot to do and see that I can't imagine just doing a day trip. Part of the beauty of RVing is the ability to drop in to a place and set up camp for a few days and go see the sights.

[AlabamaTraveler]

michigansandzilla wrote:
We are staying in Cosby this April to visit the Smokies for a week. One of those days we are going to drive out to Chattanooga for the day and return to Cosby at night. Looks to be a 3 hour drive. Thanks

Different strokes for different folks, but I can't imagine why anyone would do this. You will "kill" 6 hours of a day going to Chattanooga. Why not pack a picnic lunch and go spend the day in Cades Cove? Why not drive the entire length of the Foothills Parkway over to the other side of the park. Why not go to Maggie Valley, one of the most beautiful places in the Smoky's area. OK, I know.....its none of my business.............happy camping.

[Merrykalia]

Double post

[Merrykalia]

The easiest drive is to come back out to I-40, head west and past Knoxville to Chattanooga. It is a little less than 3 hours, but according to how heavy traffic is, it might be more.

[TPUC]

Run 40 to 75 it is the fastest route.

[RoyB]

If it was me and I was leaving the camper at COSBY and just driving my Truck I would just go thru Gatlinburg into the Smoky Mtn Park and head for Townsend, Marysville, and pick up I75 at Lenoir City. Then head on into Chattanooga...

I'm sort of partial of any driving thru the Natl Park... Its magic in there with its close ties with the Cherokee Nation.

Of course I would most likely be staying in Townsend or at the ELKMONT Camp in the Smoky Natl Park anyway... Townsend has several full hookups but the Natl Park has no hookups. Water is available at the toilet buildings but no other services available. We also like staying on the creek side camp sites...

Cosby is ok and has a few camp ground on the road to Gatlinburg but Townsend to us is more central located to feed both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and still be staying away from the wild and furious activities of both towns. It never stops there haha... Too many peoples for us haha...

You might want to check out Townsend for future returns to the area if more peace and quiet is what you may to be looking for.

Just my thoughts - we love the Gatlinburg area and usually go there twice a year maybe more... Have tent camped at The Cosby Camp inside the Natl Park a few times. Have also stayed at the Arrow Creek Camp at Cosby...

Roy Ken