DH and I are driving from Panama City, Fl to Gatlinburg on a Thursday later this month. Mapquest takes us through Atlanta, then 441 over the mountains into Gatlingburg. We are actually staying about 11 miles east of Gatlingburg off highway 321. Due to work, we won't be able to leave Panama City until noonish, which gets us into Atlanta during the late afternoon traffic. We are not familiar with this route.
Due to traffic and time of day, we are considering driving I-75 from ATL through Chatanooga, then on through Knoxville, taking I-40 and exiting east of Gatlinburg. It is longer mileage wise, but we might be better off with Interstate driving at night. We are familiar wtih this route, although we usually come in through Maryville and Townsend. However, the cabin (which nephew selected) is so far east of Gatlingbur, we thought it might be better to stay on I-40 as long as we can.
Any comments, other other suggestions.
Which is best route from Northwest Florida to Gatlingburg?
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#1 - SO glad you aren't staying IN Gatlinburg. #2 - the route via 441 is a good one and I drive it on a regular basis. 85 out of Atlanta, 985/365 past Gainesville, 441 north to Great Smokey Mountains Expressway is an easy route. It's 4 lane all the way, although it is limited access past Gainesville. You may have to stop at a few lights in a 100 mile stretch, but it's easy driving, beautiful scenery, and moves fast. Slow down at Tallulah Gorge and Mountain City because they are speed traps, but that's less an a mile of highway each. Just obey speed limits, unless you have money to burn. There is NO WAY I'd head north on 75 out of Atlanta. IMO that's the worst traffic in the metro area. If you are hitting Atlanta during rush hour, stop and enjoy dinner and then move on after dinner. Maybe even try the Brake Pad (for casual food) near the airport. If you have a smartphone, load INRIX app on the phone and you can see a color coded map of the traffic as it evolves. A Thursday will be much better than a Friday. As you know, the earlier you leave the better off you'll be. It's not a bad drive at all. In fact, it's my favorite 4lane drive in the state.
Thanks, Starrs. Mom, Dad and I took the 441 route about 18 or 19 years ago, so I did not know how the roads are now.
Nephew selected Gatlinburg because he and his brothers/cousins love hiking, biking etc., and because we all gathered there in 2008 to celebrate the end of Mom's chemo. Sadly, both Mom and Dad are gone now. My brothers and I, along with our spouses, are now officially the "old folks."
There will be 13 adults, two babies, nd two small children.
In addition to biking and hiking, we will watch (on TV) the Bama-Tenn game. Well, everyone but DH. He is Georgia fan. Funny thing, when we gathered in 2008, we watched the Bama-GA game, the one where GA wore the black uniforms.
The road from Gainesville to Tallulah Gorge was 4 lane and then 2 lane. They've redone the road from the gorge all the way into NC (which was already 4 lane) so it's a very nice (and fast) drive. Watch the speed zones - it drops down to 55 a few miles from Tallulah Gorge and then 35 in the "city". 35 again in Mountain City. Speeding tickets are their #1 revenue source, which is good for the locals. Other than that, it's a fast, smooth, beautiful ride - mountains all the way. If you slow down on the way back and want suggestions of things to stop and see, let me know.
Thanks, Starrs.
You can drive 41 and 441 from Lake City and never go through a city.
Starrs, although I warned DH about speeding, we did get pulled over in Raburn (sp?). Fortunately, DH only received a verbal warning.
I TOLD YOU SO!
Ya gotta slow down going through Tallulah Falls and Mountain City. It's only 45 mph for less than a mile each time. You got lucky! (I wonder which one it was...)