AmySabato

I had one of two alternatives. Either fly into Atlanta and then drive to Knoxville/Gatlinburg OR fly into Atlanta and connect to Knoxville via plane. Gas prices being how they are, and flying being what it is these days, I have four days to spend in Tennessee, what would YOU do and why?

I need help and am seeking your thoughts and feedback on this. Thanks in advance.

jent103

I think it depends on what sounds appealing to you. Once you leave Atlanta, the drive to Knoxville is not bad (it's actually quite pretty in parts of Tennessee), and it's easy to stop off in Chattanooga and do a little sightseeing. I think that would be easier than dealing with connecting flights and the possibility of late planes, etc., since you'd probably have to rent a car anyway once you got to Knoxville.

But you'd have to get through Atlanta, and how appealing that is depends on when your flight arrives and traffic going through/around the city. I'm not very knowledgeable on that - the few times I've driven in downtown Atlanta I have not remotely enjoyed it, but if there are good routes from Hartsfield to I-75 north of the city, then it may not be too bad. Hopefully others will advise you on that.

Basically, if I needed to get in and get out and had sufficient layover time in Atlanta, I'd go with the connecting flight. If I were vacationing and liked the idea of seeing towns along the way, I'd go with the drive. But that's just me.

mrsd2fan

jents advice is right on...you can catch I-75 right from the airport..what time does your plane land in ATL?

Brian_in_Charlotte

And on what day? I wouldn't want to make that drive other than between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on a weekday or anytime on Sat or Sun. ATL is on opposite side of Atlanta from Knoxville.

rkkwan

I would calculate the cost for both and then determine if driving from ATL actually save money and whether the money saved the worth the time and drive.

BWBlakely

Lots of factors on this one...Like, how many people in your party...what time of day would you be flying into Atlanta and what day...are you going there for a specific reason or just to hit the mountain areas?

Heck, by the time you wait for your connecting flights, board, etc., and then land, get your baggage and then a rental car, it might not be much longer to drive straight from Atlanta.

The idea of stopping in Chattanooga is a good one...see Rock City, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain and ride the Incline Railway.

Lots of tourist trap stuff in Gatlinburg. If you're really into the mountains, take a look at Fontana www.fontanavillage.com and miss the tourist traps.

Photodog

Several places to consider. Lynchburg, TN has a nice tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery and Mary Bobo's Boarding house which offers lunch twice a day (will probably all ready be sold out)

Chattanooga and Atlanta both have wonderful aquariums.

Scottsboro, AL home of Unclaimed Baggage (stuff airlines loose and then is sold)(probably not worth it)

Huntsville, AL home of US Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp. Has actual Saturn V, Shuttle with external tank and solid rocket boosters attached as well as SR71 and Space Shot.

Assume you are going to the Smokies just outside Knoxville. About hour from Cherokee can raft the Nantahala River (on your own)or 1.5-2 hrs from Cherokee raft the Ocoee River(with guide).

travelbonnie

Absolutely Drive.

We do this 2 times a year. Love it!
You take North I-85 to I-985.
Continue on past Gainesville and the road will become US 23.
Then you will pass Cornelia, GA and the road will become US23-US441.
Then make sure you stay on US 441 and continue to Franklin, Tenn., onto Cherokee, NC, onto Newfoundgap, and then on to Gatlinburg. This portion of US441 from Cherokee to Gatlinburg is beautiful. It rides beside the river.

Get gas in Clayton, Ga, because it is less expensive.
Be sure to stop at the Pioneer farm (good visitor center) on other side of Cherokee as you are still on US441.

In Gatlinburg, take a day with a picnic and visit Cade Cove. (There is NO food at Cade Cove.) There are black bear (not a lot of them) and all kinds of nature. Deer, Deer, and more deer. Hiking trails. Buildings set up to show how the Cade Cove pioneer lived. It is just beautiful.
On the way to Cade Cove, stop at the fork where the rivers meet. People are swimming and jumping in that Cold water.

I love to drive the Roaring Fork in Gatlinburg and hike Grotto Falls. Rainbow is more difficult. Great visitor center (Smoky Mtn.) right before you enter Gatlinburg.

If you can handle a very difficult hike, try the Chimneys one day. They are just before entering Gatlinburg on your left.

Smoky Mtn. candy store is the best.

The visitor center can give you inf. about hiking trails. But if you are not a hiker, the roads are just beautiful.

travelbonnie

Forgot to mention: It will take you without much traffic 5 hours from the Atlanta Airport to Gatlinburg.

If you are hungry, stop at Cracker Barrel in Suwanee, GA., or even better the one at I-985 and Friendship Rd. You will want to get that far before eating, so you can get out of Atlanta traffic.

Also, visit the Apple Barn while in Pigeon Forge. Everything is apples. I prefer the older Farm House for their food. The wait is usually an hour during busy times. Best apple Fritters. The newer Farm House building is not as popular.

Have a wonderful trip!

AmySabato

I'd like to thank all of you so very much for your enlightening feedback and suggestions! I apologize for not having entered into more detail. I have driven the beautiful route from Gatlinburg to Atlanta before, and had been told it was 441, but had never been told or knew how to GET to 441 from Atlanta/Hartsfield Airport. So thank you!

Also, I am glad you all mentioned I75 (the interstate route), as I may have to take that either going to TN or co ming back from, since our plane arrives in Atl and leaves Atl 2 days later. I may bite the bullet and stay an additional day in Tennessee. I can't see getting there at 4 pm on a Thursday and leaving 3 days later in the afternoon. I'll be on the road to and from Atl more than enjoying TN.

Thank you again so VERY much! This is exciting and I ADORE TN!!!!!

AmySabato

I am going to have to drive from Hartsfield to Gatlinburg at night,
I prefer to do it on the interstate. Mapquest and Rand Macnally both have the I-85 to 23 to 441 - that sounds like the scenic route.

Does anyone know the directions via the interstate please?

Thank you so much.

travelbonnie

441 has many travelers at night. If you do not feel comfortable driving from Cherokee to Gatlinburg at night, you might consider staying the night in Clayton, Ga. or Sylva, NC. [Slyva is 3 miles East of Dillsboro]

I have seen Holiday Express and Hampton Inn along the way, but make a reservation.
---------------------
The following takes longer:
Check out I-75 to Knoxville. Then Knoxville to Gatlinburg.

xrae

I-85 north to I-75 north to I-40 East to Knoxville. Pass through Knoxville (you'll have to bypass the city on I-640 due to construction-related road closures). Once you're back on I-40 East, take exit 407 (Hwy 66), which will be Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. And follow the signs and/or the traffic.

Gretchen

Others have given you the interstate route, but I think Mapquest's route is not bad at all. Those roads are largely if not completely WIDE 4 lane. And from Cherokee to Gatlinburg is on a "parkway" within the Park. I think that way will be appreciably shorter and undoubtedly prettier. And not all that untravelled by others.

xrae

Hwy 441 from Cherokee to Gatlinburg isn't so pretty at night. And there may be fog or clouds on the mountain.

Gretchen

Or not any fog. It's a highway. In the mountains.