All Rights Reserved. Did we miss any alternative routes? What is the best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville? If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN. Our trek to Tennessee started at 5:30a.m. Our stay was brief, but memorable nonetheless. Have you traveled anywhere on our list? Theres always this unique excitement that wells up inside us whenever we are heading out to a destination weve never experienced before. Once you cross the bridge that transverses the Oconaluftee River, youll take your first right to enter Highway 441 / Tsali Blvd. Gatlinburg, Tenn. is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but dont let the hullabaloo fool you. Spend the day at beautiful Cedars of Lebanon State Forest, or kill a whole weekend camping at Lone Mountain State Forest. From Google Maps 7. Phone +1 800-525-7077. The cliff-hugging road offers sweeping views, fascinating and diverse flora and fauna, geologic wonders and a myriad of recreation opportunities. Make sure to ride the Lightning Rod, the worlds fastest roller coaster and dont forget to check out other amazing roller coasters like the Wild Eagle and FireChaser Express. Visitors coming to Pigeon Forge from the west usually have to contend with Knoxville traffic before taking the final stretch to Exit 407. 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. We have several particularly stunning state parks (56, to be exact), including some gems like Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, in Unicoi County, and Fall Creek Falls, which features an incredible, 256-foot-tall waterfall (one of the tallest in the entire country!). This route is relatively straightforward, and will take you down a winding path that features breathtaking mountain views. Love Tennessee? Downtown Nashville CMP, One of Tennessee's 3 All American Roads, The Trace offers a beautiful drive through more than 10,000 years of interpreted history. Filled with family attractions, music, events, food, drinks, and more, you can choose your own Tennessee vacation. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. From 1812 to 1815 the Trace was a major route used by Andrew Jacksons Tennessee Volunteers during the War of 1812 and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. You really can't go wrong with this one - it's easy and fun. It's 43 miles of gorgeous, wonderful and great. Running all the way up from Mississippi to Tennessee, Natchez Trace is absolutely gorgeous during summer and even more incredible in the fall. Day 1: It all beginsExploring Chattanooga and the Tennessee River Gorge. Great River Road actually stretches across ten states as a series of scenic byways. fishing, waterfalls, horseback riding, scenic overlooks, Park Service Ranger-led programs and historic areas to explore. Can I Rent a Car with A Temporary License; Can You Rent A Car For Someone Else; Can You Rent a Car If You Have A DUI? Take US 64 for 26 miles and you'll pass through Cherokee National Forest as you drive next to the Ocoee River. Where is some beautiful scenery in Tennessee? From there youll follow US-441 / Chapman Highway through Seymour along the same path described in number 5 on the list. The location is by far the coolest location of any aquarium Ive ever seen, sitting right on the Tennessee River. Townsend is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as Cades Cove. At this point, youll take a right to continue onto Highway 23 and continue north until Highway 23 ends. Learn more about these routes, and their designations, by viewing Tenneessees Scenic Handbookor the Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum. But, were here to help you skip the waitand get to having fun faster with these 7 alternative routes. Conveniently located near Interstate 24, about 20 miles to Downtown Chattanooga and only about 90 miles to Nashville. You can join their daily tours to learn more about the caverns history, take a boat ride on the underground sea, or hike the trails. Lewisburg is West of Shelbyville, so if you go the former route you can go through both towns in one drive. Just us 2 in our 50's. I love driving and would like to take the most scenic route. Benefits: Bypass traffic in Knoxville and Exit 407 on I-40, beautiful rural views, historical towns, travel alongside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/apPVyH6EMQK2. Roadways in this collection are often the road less travelled, have unmatched intrinsic qualities, and have a regional or national significance. This 200 mile route provides access to the mountains across seven counties. Read our Privacy Policy. How a weekend exploring Chattanooga and Knoxville turned a couple Austinites into lifelong fans of Tennessee. For over 96 years, the Grand Ole Opry has been showcasing country musics past, present, and future. drive for about 1 hour. Choose your own Tennessee vacation and discover new food, classic whiskey, rockin' music, and so much more. Folks travelling to Pigeon Forge from the East typically take I-40 West to Exit 407, but theres a much more scenic way to reach Pigeon Forge while simultaneously getting the chance to see amazing mountain and rural views. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing. Scenic Highway 30A Destin to Rosemary Beach, Gulf Coast Drive Rosemary Beach to Apalachicola, Campgrounds & RV Park Reviews Scenic Drives, Highlights Traveling the Natchez Trace Scenic Parkway, Best Compact RV Motorhomes from Winnebago, Winnebago Revel & Adventure Van Alternatives, Shell Mound Campground Cedar Key, Florida, Walking, Nature & Hiking Trails | Cedar Keys, Cedar Keys Florida Top Things to See and Do, Scenic Road Trip: Wisconsin Great River Road. Often called a National Park Pass, it offers 1-year unlimited entrance to so much more, and includes National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites!Share time outdoors with family and friends. It includes the Ijams Nature Center, miles of trails, rock climbing routes, several civil war sites and a quarry with panoramic views. Pick one and drive on! Tennessee is a state with multiple motorcycle rides that work well for beginners as well as experienced riders and offers motorcycle touring opportunities ranging from day trips to long distance multi-day motorcycle trips. Our trek to Tennessee started at 5:30a.m. There are, and they're our favorites! After an exciting road trip filled with amazing destinations and unparalleled natural beauty, youll be happy to know that the drive from Nashville to Knoxville is short but full of adventure. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. . Motorcyclists and sports car drivers come from all over the world to make their mark on this iconic road that carves its way through the east Tennessee mountains. Posted July 18, 2016 by Dusty Camp. Travelers can see contemporary and historic art pieces on display, specifically curated from East Tennessee. Before you head for the wilderness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, get your fill of fun in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Home to Dolly Partons theme park, Dollywood, this stop will be a fun-filled day for the whole family. Drive along the Newfound Gap Road to see picturesque rolling mountains or hike the Grotto Trail to see stunning cascading waterfalls. The upper Pigeon offers an exhilarating Class III rapid trip, while the lower river is calmer, offering those who would rather take in the peaceful scenery than get their blood pumping, a chance to float gentle rapids and swim in calm swimming holes. The space is has a great vibe and best of all, served some truly authentic southern cuisine sourced from local farms in the area. What are the best roadside attractions in Tennessee? Inside the Park. The area is full of natural beauty, from the towering mountains to the shimmering rivers. After a beautiful 28 mile stretch through the National Forest youll continue on Highway 23 until you come to an intersection. 6 years ago Save For the most scenic drive you should take 441 thru The Smokies then take the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee up to Asheville. The road to Camp Nakanawa is right off of I-40, near Crossville. When you research the Pigeon River, youd think it was designed with all levels of white-water rafter in mind. CMP, There is no better way to explore one of our nation's most ecologically diverse biospheres- the Great Smoky Mountains. From there, youll enter Highway 321, which will take you through Maryville. Our first morning started off on the right foot, waking up in our tent on the Tennessee Georgia border, just shy of the city. Love Tennessee? From there youll be travelling along beautiful Highway 411 north for 25.1 miles, experiencing peaceful ruralviews along the way. 25 E Through Morristown to Pigeon Forge Time: 5 hours, 21 minutes It's particularly beautiful this time of year as the leaves fade from green to gold. As River Divide Rd. A road trip is always better when filled with fun times and good tunes. Photo by Wes Ramey of the Dollywood Company, The Ober Gatlinburg tram in summer next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Find out bellow the best stops and things to see between Dallas, Memphis and Nashville. 6:01 pm Grand Ole Opry. Driving along I-75 south, you'll follow the interstate to US-441 / Henley St. once you pass through Knoxville, rather than entering I-40. Follow the highway through beautiful rural country. Get more stories delivered right to your email. It was traveled by Native Americans . The driving tour starts on Chapman Highway at Fort Dickerson, a site of conflict between the Union and Confederate armies. Tennessee's section offers beautiful views of the Lower Mississippi River from the Chickasaw Bluffs to Memphis. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Re: nashville to asheville, scenic drive from knoxville to ashe? When we arrived in Chattanooga we headed straight to our hotel, The Chattanooga Choo Choo, an incredibly unique hotel that operates out of a former railroad station and offers guests the option to stay in converted rail cars literally sitting on the train track (obviously not in use anymore haha). Known for its rhododendron fields, take a drive along this lovely east Tennessee road and enjoy views of the hollows and ridges that dot the mountain. I-40W from Knoxville to Nashville Headed to Nashville from Knoxville? 2. Make sure that your car is must in satisfactory condition for the journey. Additionally, travelers will pass through Morristown, an awesome pit-stop with plenty of options for shopping, sight-seeing, and dining. In the summer, Splash Country, the Dollywood water park, is the place to cool off. These 7 Beautiful Byways In Tennessee Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive, Drive To 7 Incredible Summer Spots Throughout Tennessee On This Scenic Weekend Road Trip, One Of The Most Scenic Drives In America Is Right Here In Tennessee, Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Tennessee Like Never Before, These 7 Covered Bridges Around Tennessee Are Just Begging To Be Visited On Your Next Road Trip, The 11 Best Backroads In Tennessee For A Long Scenic Drive, Take A 2-Hour Drive Through Tennessee To See This Years Beautiful Fall Colors, This Dreamy Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Fall Foliage In All Of Tennessee. West Virginia Scenic Drive #1 - The Highland Scenic Highway. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This is by far the most popular route to Pigeon https://tramadolhealth.com Forge, with more than 50,000 people driving through the Parkway every single day. Take in some history at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, and then relax by the water at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort. With its mountain summits and lush forests, East Tennessee is a major draw for many Knoxvillians. Traveling the Trace is an excellent way to step back in time to an era of the scenic road trip where you take the time to enjoy the trip itself.