Hey Fodorites...Looking to plan a driving vacation this year. Departing from Chicago, heading to and staying in Nashville a couple of days and then continuing on to the Great Smoky Mtns. Looking for assistance in driving times and accommodations. Anyone make this trek before...and willing to share advice?? Thanks!

Just tossing this out again to see if I can get a response.
Thanks.

Chicago to Nashville is 8 hours taking I-65. You can take I-57 as well for about the same time lenght but it's a more boring ride-we have a long, boring state!

From Chicago to Nashville, you can take I-65 or I-57/24. I-65 is probably shorter, but you have to go through N. Indiana, Indianapolis and Louisville. Traffic could be bad going through the first two. On the other hand, I-57/24 has very little traffic once you get pass I-80. That'd be my choice, unless you want to see Indy and Louisville.

There's a lot of truck traffic on I-40 in Tennessee, and there are some hills to climb between Nashville to Knoxville, so watch out for the trucks and give them plenty of room.

Sorry, I have no recommendations for accomodations.

Definitely take I-65 through Louisville. Depending on your starting point in the Chicago area, it's about 5-6 hours to Louisville, where you could stop at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs (close to I-65).

From Louisville, it's about 3 hours (or less if you don't stop) to Nashville. A great stop along the way in the only National Park in Kentucky -- Mammoth Cave. It's amazing.

I'd suggest one of two areas in Nashville -- downtown or the Vanderbilt/West End area. The Vanderbilt Plaza, on the corer of West End Ave and 21st Ave, is in a great location and convenient to both downtown and points west (such as the Parthenon, Belle Meade area, etc.).

From Nashville the Smokies are a straight shot east on I-40.

Enjoy!