Must go to Kingsport,Tenn. Limited by the place SWA flies into (free round trip)Should i go into Nashville or Raleigh-Durham? Senior citizen lady making trip solo. I am accustomed to traveling alone and do like to see things of interest as I go along.
Any opinions???

The scenery is prettier coming from R-D, but there's more to see/do in Nashville and Knoxville. What appeals to you most?

Could you fly open-jaw--arrive at RDU, but return from BNA (Nashville)? That way you get both, but you need a rental car without drop-off fees (try National). If you can, get down to Asheville and tour the Biltmore Estate. Also try to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park enroute. Enjoy.

Thanks for info...
Plan to fly into RDU and out of Nashville. National rentals does not charge drop off fee. I will try to tour the Biltmore Estate. I have been told the only place that compares is Hearst's Castle on CA coast. Having been to the latter I can form my own opinion.
Thanks for advice...

If you're headed toward Asheville, make plans to eat dinner at Black Mountain's Red Rocker Inn. It's a B&B with an attached restaurant- super Southern food. Call ahead to 1-888-669-5991
for reservations. The town of Black Mountain is small, with some interesting shops on its main street. You should be very pleased with the Biltmore House- the gardens are great, the home is lovely, and the winery is an interesting stop. Asheville has a good artist's community, so you should enjoy browsing its shops. Enjoy!

Kay,

I live near Knoxville. You will have a very long drive from Nashville to Kingsport...probably 6 hours. But the interstate is very easy to drive.

When are you traveling? You might want to swing off the interstate at the Hwy 66 exit/Sevierville,TN to drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But take heed, 'progress' has made it to the mountains with the innumerable outlet malls, etc. which means horrible traffic. Dollywood, the theme park, is near that exit and really creates traffic problems.

When traveling from Knoxville to Kingsport you might want to plan a stop at Abingdon, VA. A lovely historic small town.

Biltmore is not to be missed, though it is expensive. I think tickets are around $25 pp. It bowls over everyone and has been used in several movies. If you can rent an old movie "Being There" with Peter Sellars, you will see some of Biltmore Mansion.

I can't think of anything between Nashville and Knoxville that would be of particular interest. It's just a pretty drive across the Cumberland Plateau.

Tell me more of your interests and I will try to think of things for you to see.

Kay,

My hands weren't typing what my brain was thinking. I'm sorry. I meant to say Jonesborough, TN (not Abingdon, VA). Both are charming, but Abingdon is past Kingsport. Jonesborough is on your way from Knoxville to Kingsport.