10 hours and several stops later, we were back where we started. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. There are many places to stop between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains and you'll pass many cities and be spoilt for choice with accommodation options. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. Here is the other water drop, this needed a short climb downwards from the main fall. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. There are several bridges in the Louisville area. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. After spending few hours in Oakridge, we continued our driving and entered into Smoky Mountain park from the Gatlinburg side and drove around Gatlinburg city for some time before going to our rental home that we had booked up in the mountains. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. From here, take the I-95 S for the final stretch of the journey which will take you to Miami. 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. Tip: Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! Its bustling energy is countered by the friendliness of the people, which can catch you off-guard if you are not from the Midwest. Don't forget the annual Watch Grass Growing Festival and the ever popular See (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We plan to then head out on mornings around 8am, Nashville to Hilton head, Hilton head to Lexington, and Lexington to Chicago. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains will be memorable whichever time of year you decide to go, which is all dependent on your preferences for the weather and the season. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. As you wander around, be sure to see these three architectural attractions. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 44m. We are stopping in Nashville, TN on the way there and sleeping overnight and then. Nashville has its own replica of the Parthenon at the 132-acre Centennial Park and Gardens, which is located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University. Other attractions include The Johnny Cash Museum, National Corvette Museum and the Nashville Flea Market (held the fourth weekend of every month). 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! Sunrise at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Great Smoky Mountains National Parkstraddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. Look for the tree signs around the park with QR codes and web addresses. Other than that, you can hit the open road whenever you feel like it. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains is 800-232-4636. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Our neighing neighbors, as seen from our countryside cottage. Pictures here itself tells the mood and magic of this trip in that large group. An important thing to know is the citys name is actually pronounced Luhlville by the locals and everyone else in Kentucky. After doing an availability search for your desired vacation date, our site will produce a list of available cabins. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. The direct Interstate-65 route will introduce you to some truly memorable scenery. Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. the products, vendors, consultants, or businesses referenced in these web pages. Get ready for an incredible journey into the Souths top attractions and best-kept secrets in this road trip that begins in Chicago and leads you to the nations most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors to Sun Valley are relatively close to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, accessed over Galena Summit on Highway 75, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, (be sure to check out the museums dedicated to both), this lively city also features the fantastic Georgia Aquarium, some fabulous restaurants, and terrific nightlife. Nonetheless, It offers a panoramic view of the park and is less visited than other roads in the area. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. Walking the numerous trails, however, even for a short distance, provides a much richer experience. The joy of a road trip is having the freedom to take your time and explore, so plan accordingly to take in as many of the wonderful attractions en route as your schedule will allow for. Next, stop by the mesmerizing Crown Fountain, which features the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents on two 250-foot glass towers, each one at the opposite end of a shallow reflecting pool. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. Enjoy a unique dining experience in the stunning Sun Dial Restaurant, on the upper floors, offering unparalleled 360-degree views over the city. Compare Favorites Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. Alert: This site requires a JavaScript enabled browser. Really. 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. Indiana area. 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 area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. . 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. Take a walk and explore the historical Whiskey Row area with its fabulous selection of restaurants, urban distilleries, and shops. If you take the fastest route, and all factors remain constant, the road trip from Chicago to Asheville will take you about 10 hours and 05 minutes. Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. If you live in Chicago, IL and you want to explore some of the most gorgeous mountains in all of Appalachia, check out our guide on how to get to the Smoky Mountains from Chicago! From Indianapolis, continue on I-65 and consider a detour to Bloomington city, where you can visit Indiana's oldest park, McCormick's Creek State Park, and marvel at the impressive limestone canyon. We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. 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. Road Trip From Chicago To Mackinac Island, Road Trip From Chicago To Yellowstone National Park, If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. This is about 9 hours and 17 minutes of driving non-stop. Making the trip in May will also appeal to sports fans, with both the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500 usually taking place at this time. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. Smoky Mountain Brewery Trails Gatlinburg Trail.very close to Riverhouse at the Park and Bearskin Lodge Laurel Falls.very popular.try to be at trailhead by 7 AM. The 1,385-mile journey from Chicago to Miami takes 21 hours and 10 minutes of pure driving, passing Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Montgomery, Orlando, Tampa, and the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Be sure to enjoy the magnificent 23 miles of Daytona Beach and experience the thrill of the many theme parks of Orlando. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. Do bear in mind some attractions may be closed as they transition from winter. Our first adventure of the day was the hike at Laurel Waterfalls, one of the highly trafficked trails in the Smoky Mountains. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains. At 160 miles, this extension to the trip should take a little under 4 hours and 30 minutes, but there will be countless opportunities to stop and admire the stunning mountain vistas and the many fantastic places you will pass along the way. Expect to see lush greenery as you drive down the route and hit the mountains. Churchill Downs officially opened in 1875, but the sport of horse racing can be traced back to 1789 in Kentucky. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. If you are I would go north from Lexington on 75 and hit 74 in Cincinnati and not go over to Louisville. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. Visit the Indianapolis Speedway Museum and take a tour of the Brickyard, host to the most exhilarating event in the motorsport calendar, the Indy 500. Be sure to check out the upscale restaurants in Market Square or enjoy a stroll along Gay Street. Then use your smartphone to view the Nashville artists sharing tree stories. Continue onwards, passing Mingo Falls to Cherokee, with its famous Indian Museum. The cavern is actually man-made and offers experiences for the whole family. :). Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. We went to AMSE, and spent few hours there. Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. If you're looking for some unique food to try along the way, Skyline Chili is a fast casual restaurant chain that's only based in the Ohio River valley. There are lots of things to do in Gary IN if you take 90. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Forest. Want to receive up to date information on cabin specials and events in the Smokies? Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops. 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. But you can also get away from it all at a unique lodging option with Under Canvas. It is moments away from the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Centennial Olympic Park. Started in the 1960s, this parkway is still a work in progress with only sections of the 72 miles stretch completed. Leaving Lexington, take the I-75 S heading through the rugged landscape of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the biggest rock-climbing destinations in the world, before continuing on to Knoxville. It was outlandish, insane and incredible trip all together. When you board one of Pink Adventure Tours signature pink Jeep Wranglers, youll soak up more information than you thought possible on your Smoky Mountains tour. I-65S from Indy: Columbus, IN is known for their architecture. We treat any information that you share as confidential. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. questions regarding any content should be directed to the appropriate organization and not necessarily to Cabins document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. While this may seem like quite a long distance, the scenic landscape and attractions along the way will make . Next day morning we started after the breakfast and enjoyed driving on the beautiful highway that connects kentucky with Smokey Mountains, and passes through valleys and hills full of life. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. The sprawling landscape encompases lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. A showcase of whos who in architecture, this interactive park is an adult playground. If you're planning a fly-and-drive vacation, arrive in Knoxville . The mountain town of Pigeon Forge in eastern Tennessee is a must for fans of Dolly Parton, as it's where her Appalachian-themed Park Dollywood is located. Made with polished stainless steel, the sculpture features an arch that enables you to walk under it and see your contorted reflection in the steel walls. We have included a detour that goes through Cincinnati, converging with the main route in Lexington. Newfound Gap. The docents are super entertaining and informative. My main concerns are construction/traffic as well as we have a major concern of wanting to avoid windy, bridges/single roads in the Smoky Mountains as we both are anxious of heights/bridges. After cruising through the few miles of the road which meanders along the Little River, we parked here and spent couple of hours on the river, enjoying the stream of cool flowing water. 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. Both known for German heritage. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. It was labor day weekend of 2010, when we planned this trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. If you're lucky you will see a truck unloading potatoes. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. It was supposed to be 3 and half hours of drive, but as we were nearing mountains, we noticed huge traffic again and it took us almost 5 hours to cover the 190 miles drive from our hotel to Smokey Mountains park. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. The Skylift ride, the glass bridge glimmering with the kaleidoscopic views of the city, everything seemed magical in the nocturnal obscurity. Road Trip from Chicago to The Great Smoky Mountains, Snow Tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Best Spring Break Road Trips from Chicago, Road Trip from Chicago during historic Winter Storm, Road Trip from Chicago to Pensacola and Florida panhandle, Disney World Lightning Lanes + Tips and Park Planning Strategy, https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. Both with directions , distance calculation and estimated travel time, all described in the route planner. Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. Here youll find plenty of hotels, grocery stores, and gear shops. It comes in very handy. The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. READ MORE - Road Trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. Follow signs along the parkway for a picnic area, campground and Look Rock. Thursday evening before the long weekend is always very heavy on traffic and we experienced thatpain. Luckily, we found this hidden pearl called Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains right here. This luxury 5-star hotel has a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, an excellent restaurant, and an onsite fitness center, so there is plenty to help you relax and unwind after your drive before hitting the town. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. If you plan to check out the city, the Hyatt Centric Downtown is a fabulous place to stay. There is ongoing construction on I-65 N in several areas. Stop 1: Sevierville Distance from Knoxville: 29 miles Pay homage to the great Dolly Parton at her Dollywood theme park. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Its rated easy and offers visitors great scenery without having to exert themselves too much. Please be patient, this may take a minute. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. Enter the park at the Townsend entrance and follow Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove. 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. 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 . Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. Hiking is popular in this park. Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. Discover how to get to attractions and hotels near Ketchum. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. At Louisville Mega Cavern, youll have an adventure like none other, exploring some of the 17 miles of corridors beneath the city. Continuing on I-65, 300 miles into the trip, you will arrive at Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's oldest and most famous horse races and an ideal place for an overnight stay. Through rolling hills and glorious mountain landscapes, this road trip has something for everyone. Any mention of vendors, products, You'll soon arrive at Bryson City, a peaceful mountain town, where you can ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad or simply enjoy the local crafts and cuisine on offer in downtown Bryson. I made this trip about six years ago. Baldy has one of the higher summits of the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, that are located in the Sawtooth National Forest. The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are world-famous for their beautiful views, impressive forests, lovely waterfalls, amazing wildlife, and historic sights. 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. A springtime trip will still have glorious weather and less traffic than the summer season. 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. Cades Cove is the most popular destination in the national park due to its plentiful wildlife and many historic buildings you can explore. Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. We choose this because of the easy length (2 miles) and prospects of seeing bear (which did not happen ). Wheres the best place to start exploring this city that sits on the turquoise shores of Lake Michigan? Stay to honor the goddess of Athena. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. There are certain things you must do like experience the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, if you happen to be in town April 29-May 5, 2017. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. For the detail oriented folks, here is the link to know all about it. To cover all the attractions in Smoky mountains 2 days are not enough, and needs lot of planning if we you want to cover all the natural sceneries and attractions. Chicago may be the best city in America to take road trips from, so there are endless possibilities for car vacations. Add/Remove Favorites Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. If you appreciate the beauty of foliage in the fall season, making the trip in autumn is for you. The main route is red, while the alternative route is in blue. You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. The quickest route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 580 miles and takes 8 hours and 50 minutes without accounting for any pit stops or detours you might want to make on your way. They have a very, very small air museum that I've only driven by. From Pigeon Forge, head south on US-321 to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy one of the many mountain trails before joining US-441 and heading towards the loop. After a quick pit-stop at Louisville, KY to feed our V8 engine hauling us; we had lunch at Taco Bell in Lexington city. Having said that, if the humidity is predicted to be really high, plan your boat trip for the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky. Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. If you did this, you could do a quick stop at Mammoth Cave, and they also have the Corvette Museum near Bowling Green, KY. The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. Don't know if using I 40 or I 24 but thought I would mention that. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which takes 6h 26m and costs $180-$650. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Boise (BOI), Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Salt Lake City, Take the bus from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Take the bus from Twin Falls to Ketchum, ID, Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station. Famous for the Kentucky Derby, and the birthplace of Muhammad Ali. Atlanta is a world-class city with a rich cultural history. A road trip from Chicago to Myrtle Beach covers four distinct types of landscape: bustling cities, peaceful countryside, dramatic mountains, and sandy beaches. Along the way, you'll visit four national parks, see some of the Midwest . On your return, head up 1-26 to I-40. First, 10 hours of driving takes a lot of energy and time you might rather want to use for enjoying your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. If just stopping for the night with no plans to sightsee, the same advice would apply: stay near an interchange. Furthermore, specific Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond We have family in northern TN so travel that way about every month or so. Many of its rooms offer spectacular views over the Ohio River, and of the Big Four Bridge which is a spectacular sight at night. Please share your thoughts on this post or your own Smoky Mountain Trip ideas in the comments section. It is currently 23:08 in Chicago and 22:08 in Smoky Mountains. Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views.