chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops

With so many firsts in this trip, its always going to be special in our memories, and believe me Smoky mountains National Park islike that. Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Heading onwards, take the I-85 east to Albany then join the US-82 heading south towards Florida. We are travelling from Canada to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47804918', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg has a similar area so not sure if you want to check that out or not. The direct drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Chicago is 600 mi (966 km), and should have a drive time of 10 hrs 27 mins in normal traffic. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! This includes an average layover time of around 1h 44m. Visit the Island, a 23-acre entertainment destination with fun for all the family, and a trip to Pigeon Forge would not be complete without a visit to Dollywood, recognized as one of the world's best theme parks, with something for everyone. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. Gretto Falls 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Users of this If you're lucky you will see a truck unloading potatoes. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is a luxury experience in tents equipped with the creature comforts of home. May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. 1. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hiking is popular in this park. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Additionally, the best way to get around the Smoky Mountains is by car since public transportation is lacking in this part of the country. Typically 84 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. . The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. This is 3 miles farther but you avoid Louisville traffic and the toll bridge. I imagine traffic in Cincinnati will be about the same as Louisvilleit all depends on when you travel. You can choose to stay in one or more of the many fascinating cities along the route or take a more secluded getaway in one of the national parks. Hello my husband and I will be traveling with our 11month old from Chicago to Hilton Head Island on Saturday, May 14th and trekking back on Saturday, May 21st. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app. Continue south on the I-65 for a further 115 miles, through rolling hills of horse country, crossing the famous Ohio River to arrive at Louisville. Nonstop chatter, loud music, late night dance and songs, and variety of food, at the rental home that we bookedin Smoky Mountains National Park. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. Road trips don't come more iconic than Route 66, which makes its way from Santa Monica in California to Chicago, Illinois. Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. The state capital of Georgia also boasts awesome food, culture, and nightlife scene. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. It was almost 10:30 PM by the time we got off the Skylift and finding food was a huge pain at that time in Gatlinburg. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. Lexington is a great town. After coming up for air, hit the road and point your wheels toward Nashville. And you can now go glamping near Gatlinburg, Tenn. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! Prices start at $100USD per night. We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. Michael Jackson's childhood home and after that there is not much to see except ground hogs on the side of the road when you hit the Tennessee border. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47902110', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg and the suggestions you have given for Berea and the Daniel Boone National Forest are really interesting for us. A springtime trip will still have glorious weather and less traffic than the summer season. From Knoxville, head onto the US-441 S, admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery, and you'll arrive at Pigeon Forge, an excellent base from which to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? Its Luhville to you. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. . And the glass bridge was totally worth the hype! Cummins Waterfall This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous, Tip:Smoky has a plethora of hiking options and finding the right one could be a stretch. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . During my years living in Illinois, I took numerous road trips from Chicago. The flight time between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN) is around 7h 6m and covers a distance of around 2154 km. Tip: If you are a vegetarian, best to carry your own food or plan ahead with the restaurants where you want to eat. Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. Ghoomaphirna is all about passion for travel and road trips. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. The period between June and August is an excellent time to go on a road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains. USA Gatlinburg. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. To make it easier for your plan, we have compiled this list of our favorite attractions along the way: The beauty of a road trip from Chicago to Miami is that you can do it at any time of the year. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. Louisville - Louisville, KY is a beautiful city on the Ohio River with several notable sights including the Mohamed Ali Museum, The Louisville Sluggers Museum, and the Churchill Downs Race Tracks. Most of the folks in our raft had little to no experience as well and this trip was a great way to expose them to the world of white-water rafting. The bridge over the Ohio is not as high and slightly shorter by Cincinnati. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Just when we were returning back from the Cades Cove, all disappointed, we saw a ton of cars stopped on the side and people flocking near the woods. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Excellent to drive on with many options to refuel and refresh as you head on to the next item on your bucket list of things to see. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. However, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. Head south 4 hours and 45 minutes to Louisville, Ky. Long known for its legendary Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and the longest continually running sporting event in the country. From here you are just 18 miles from Maryville in Blount County, one of the gateway counties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A road trip from Chicago to Myrtle Beach covers four distinct types of landscape: bustling cities, peaceful countryside, dramatic mountains, and sandy beaches. If you plan to see the annual Kentucky Derby, the hotel is close to Churchill Downs, home to the racecourse and also the Kentucky Derby Museum where you can learn all about the history of the world's most famous race. Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. questions regarding any content should be directed to the appropriate organization and not necessarily to Cabins You can tour these facilities and learn about how world-famous Kentucky Bourbon is made! The trip passes through nine states . But we had plenty of time and so we decided to take a detour and check the Oakridge city and famous American Museum of Science and EnergyAMSE. We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. It is important to allow time to enjoy the many amazing attractions and places along the way. Heres what we saw on the way but never stopped due to lack of time: The Sinks popular waterfall. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! Only a couple are toll free. Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. We had two full days of fun filled activities and spent the long weekend with many other tourists walking around the streets in night and gazing atthe skies. There is construction in area and is sometimes down to a crawl. There is tourist info but also a huge shop with local arts and crafts. Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property. Then on Day 2, you could easily include side trips to and stops at both Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before finishing up in the Great Smoky Mountain are for a couple of days. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other spots in Tennessee and North Carolina. This post has already been read 2799 times! After an excursion in the Smoky Mountains, you can return to the heated indoor pool or hot tub, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, and sample the delights on offer in the resort's sophisticated restaurant. The ride was smooth and once at the top, plenty of panoramic views were on offer. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. 6 Best Road Trips Chicago to Nashville and Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip Stop at a shiny bean, an underground corridor, a racetrack and a music mecca on your way to the national park. Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. Head east to Hilton Head. The roughly 420-mile route follows I-40 from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the mighty Mississippi River in the west. It is highly trafficked with narrow lanes and sometimes you could be stuck behind hoards of cars so please plan at least couple of hours for the visit. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. On the final day of this US road trip, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the highlights include Laurel Falls, Cades Cove, . Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and their signature heavenly bed will ensure the perfect restorative sleep, so you are fully refreshed and ready for the day of adventure ahead. . The forested Smoky Mountains were named for their propensity to summer forest fires. Very safe. It's a popular time for winter sports lovers and skiing enthusiasts and the local Christmas markets make it extra special at this magical time of year. Enjoy classic scenic drives along Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Heres the Google Timeline chronicling our ride back home. arkansas governor's distinguished scholarship 2020 recipients. After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. . At some point, you will be driving through mountains on the interstate. The population was 1,406 at the 2010 census, down from 1,427 in 2000. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Pass through the Woods Ferry conservation area before heading east onto the I-10 towards Jacksonville. From Nashvillehead toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. Indiana area. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. We have two 13 year olds that will be traveling . United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago to Smoky Mountains every 2 hours. With 4 different families, and nomads from the age of one and half years to 35 years, it was truly a friends and family road trip. You could allot two weeks for the trip. It was labor day weekend of 2010, when we planned this trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. Stop 1: Sevierville Distance from Knoxville: 29 miles Pay homage to the great Dolly Parton at her Dollywood theme park. The most visited National Park in the country needs no commentary from my side to extoll its virtues. Fun Fact: Interstate 65, which takes you down to Nashville on this road trip, connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Then, stretch your legs, head to the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashvilles Music Mile to see the names of accomplished artists with a Nashville connection of all musical genres. Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. We treat any information that you share as confidential. The I-40 corridor between Asheville to TN is steep and in Knoxville, you get on I-75 which will also have a steep incline until you get to KY . Your email will not be provided to third parties. Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the towers feature water flowing out of an outlet, which gives the illusion that water is pouring out of the mouths of the faces appearing on each tower. Turn right off hwy 441 in park on to Fighting Gap Creek Road/Little River Road. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180-$650. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. Click here to skip back to the top. Currently, there is no shuttle service that connects to Gatlinburg. This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. There is currently construction on I-65 N after you exit I-265. The most popular road trip route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes through Louisville. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. Pass Gary then take the I-65 and head south, through endless fields of windmills, before arriving at Indianapolis. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. What are the travel restrictions in Smoky Mountains? I made this trip about six years ago. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. During the summer months, it can be hot, averaging around 90 degrees in the Deep South and Florida, so air-conditioning is a must. Forgot to mention leaving Chicago around 4am on Saturday morning so baby can hopefully sleep for most part to Nashville Ill of course plan to stop a few times alone the way. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. The top stops along the way from Chicago to Gatlinburg (with short detours) are Louisville Mega Cavern, Market Square, and Keeneland Association Inc. Other popular stops include Kentucky Horse Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and Big Four Bridge. Hmm, re maui#1 - going to a minor league ballpark without watching a game, an abandoned brewery with no tours or tastings, and watching potatoes get unloaded. Rising 73 floors above downtown Atlanta, the hotel offers world-class service and impressive amenities. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains without a car is to train and bus which takes 42h 55m and costs $200-$290. Required fields are marked *, Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, on Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains National Park |Road trip |Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Yellowstone National Park | Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna, Chicago to Key West, Florida |Road trip | Ghoomnaphirna. Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. From here, take the I-95 S for the final stretch of the journey which will take you to Miami. Re: Chicago to Naples Fl drive From Nashville, take the I-40 east to Knoxville passing through picturesque mountain scenery before reaching Kodak where you will take the TN-66 south for around 30 mins before arriving at Pigeon Forge. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Leaving Pigeon Forge, take the US-321 south and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains as you make the short 8-mile journey to Gatlinburg. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is also a must-see, along with the venerated Ryman Auditorium, particularly if there is a show on. Look for the tree signs around the park with QR codes and web addresses. It's also about as good as anywhere to spend the night. The Lewis and Clark Bridge (toll) is on I-265. Stop at a visitor center in Cades Cove or at the Mountain Farm Museum to find . After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. If you want to enjoy a Smoky Mountains road trip on your drive from Chicago, be sure to check out some of the top sights along the way! Conversely, over the winter months, you might find that snow makes some of the areas around the national parks very difficult, and possibly cause road closures in the mountainous areas. The elevation of Sun Valley (at the Lodge) is 5920ft above sea level. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. It was outlandish, insane and incredible trip all together. Its bustling energy is countered by the friendliness of the people, which can catch you off-guard if you are not from the Midwest. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Smoky Mountains easy. Here are five reasons why you should. Cabins USA Gatlinburg respects our guest's privacy and never shares this information with third-party sites. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this outdoor concert venue has 4,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 7,000 people on the Great Lawn. They serve a unique Greek-style chili on spaghetti noodles and heaping portions of cheddar cheese you don't want to miss! Do any of you have any suggestions for places to see along the way? Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak, Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. Newfound Gap. We are stopping in Nashville, TN on the way there and sleeping overnight and then. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. A road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take you to one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, through some of the most majestic mountain scenery, taking in many interesting attractions along the way. Both with directions , distance calculation and estimated travel time, all described in the route planner. Chicago may be the best city in America to take road trips from, so there are endless possibilities for car vacations. The incline was mostly easy but there were some tight spots as we neared the waterfall and the sign board reminded us of the lurking danger. Be sure to enjoy the magnificent 23 miles of Daytona Beach and experience the thrill of the many theme parks of Orlando. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. . 10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. Louisville is an ideal place to stay, located around the halfway point between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains on the Direct Route. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. Best campsites near chicago and how to reserve them? Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Required fields are marked *. We drove initial 50 miles very slowly as we tried to cross our way through Chicago downtown and skyway. Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport. Cummins Waterfall - This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous Tip: Smoky has a plethora of hiking options and finding the right one could be a stretch. Driving through both just a few months ago made me think I was in Europe given some of the older buildings. If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville.