Gatlinburg, TN - which way is best?
 

Hi - we are spending time in Gatlinburg in November. We're flying into Charlotte, NC as we have family near to visit and will drive from there. Mapquest has us going through Cherokee and AAA has us going up 40 by the East side of the park and into Gatlinburg that way. Any thoughts on which way is best and why or should we go in one way and out the other? Thanks, sue

I-40/US321 is definitely the much faster, flatter and easier route. But US441 goes through the mountains, and will be more interesting and scenic.

If you are not in a hurry and want to see some of the Blue Ridge Parkway as well, take I-40 to Ashville look for sign to the parkway or the Folk Art Center (visitor center and "museum" of folk art as well as gallery of handcrafts for sale). This will put in on the parkway about milepost 382. The parkway ends just inside the Great Smoky Mts National Park at milepost 469. Or you can also continue on I40 and the parkway crosses it closer to the park if you don't want to be on it that far.
If you stay on I-40 pass Hartford, you will come to a sign for the Foothills Parkway. This will join with US321 at Cosby which you can then take into Gatlinburg.

Haven't been there in November, but while the foothills parkway is incredibly beautiful, I'd probably make my decision at that time taking weather and road conditions into consideration.

The road through Cherokee via 441 and Dillsboro is a nice road and quite pretty.