scenic drive from nashville to knoxville scenic drive from nashville to knoxville

The town is home to numerous events and festivals, ideal for adding an exciting touch to your scenic trip. 733 mi. CMP, This Art Modern classic was built in 1934 as a supply route for TVA's first hydroelectric dam. Love Tennessee? After purchasing a new bottling line in 2006, the winery now bottles up to 3,000 bottles of wine per hour. We believe in cultivating meaningful experiences. . Travelers on this route will take I-40 West Towards Knoxville and follow the interstate to Exit 27in Clyde, NC and enter into Highway 74. (youll know to turn when you see the Taco Bell). A little over half of the state is covered in dense forest (52%, if you're wondering). He became fascinated with Robert De Niro's performance in Taxi Driver, as he told the website Decider in 2022. CMP. Key Stops: Highland Scenic Highway, Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek. 6:01 pm Grand Ole Opry. On the first route, you can continue on Highway 321 through Townsend and Wears Valley, arriving in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Check out these perfect pet-friendly parks which make some of the best places to walk, exercise, and have fun with your pup in Tennessee. Go three miles to N.C. Highway 251. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Scenic Drives in the Great Smoky Mountains Cades Cove Loop Road Newfound Gap Road Upper Tremont Road Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail National Park Cades Cove Clingmans Dome Foliage Hiking Scenic Drives Waterfall Hikes Wildlife How many have you checked off your list? Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Recommended option Bus, shuttle, drive 11h 22m Take the bus from Nashville to Johnson City Are you a Snowbird having trouble finding an RV site along the Gulf Coast? We found that this city really appreciated nature as much as we do, and has some of the most accessible trails of any city weve ever visited. Is either better or is there another better way. Photo by Wes Ramey of the Dollywood Company, The Ober Gatlinburg tram in summer next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. We didnt really know what to expect from Knoxville. From farm-to-table dining to theme parks the kids will love, this Tennessee town is your perfect basecamp. The 35-mile drive from Crossville (elevation 1,854 feet) to Cookeville (elevation 1,140 feet) is one of the highest stretches of I-40 between Knoxville and Memphis. Drive from Knoxville to Nashville 180.2 miles $30 - $50 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Knoxville (TYS) to Nashville (BNA) flights The flight time between Knoxville (TYS) and Nashville (BNA) is around 4h 51m and covers a distance of around 152 miles. What is it? Discover must-sees in these cities, the very best things to do to make the most of your trip. A Taste of Knoxville Brew Hop Take your pick from about a dozen walking and driving trails along this route. Read more on USA Road Trips. Road Trips. Take U.S. 25/70 toward Marshall and turn left at the first stoplight onto Monticello Road. In this road trip guide, we'll be highlighting four stops starting in Nashville, the country music capital of the world, and heading east through the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains to Knoxville. Best stops along Nashville to Knoxville drive The top stops along the way from Nashville to Knoxville (with short detours) are Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, The Lost Sea Adventure, and Stones River National Battlefield. Alternatively, you can take a left on Ellejoy Rd. It seems like no matter where you live in the Volunteer State, you'll find a back road to enjoy over and over again. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. Tennessee's section offers beautiful views of the Lower Mississippi River from the Chickasaw Bluffs to Memphis. Take this exit and youll go through another amazingly scenic drive, complete with mountain overlooks with a birds eye view of Gatlinburg. Highway 25 E is a beautiful drive with a long history as Thunder Road, the moonshine highway. You'll find it along Little River Road, a beautiful, quiet backroad that boasts its pretty waterfall about 13 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Visitors coming to Pigeon Forge from the west usually have to contend with Knoxville traffic before taking the final stretch to Exit 407. When you buy one of these experiences, you can feel good about the fact that you are helping Belle Meade fulfill its educational mission. Did we miss any alternative routes? Sunset on the Tennessee River at Bruton Branch The cliff-hugging road offers sweeping views, fascinating and diverse flora and fauna, geologic wonders and a myriad of recreation opportunities. From there, head north and let the adventure begin. Learn more about these routes, and their designations, by viewing Tenneessees Scenic Handbookor the Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum. In the winter, stroll through four million twinkling lights at Dollywoods Smoky Mountain Christmas. You can discover Belle Meades enchanting history and picturesque grounds on a guided Segway tour through the property. Travelling on I-40 West, take Exit 364 in Lenior City. By continuing to browse this site, you're accepting the use of cookies. Then when you leave Chattanooga, take I-75 to Knoxville. eat at Bluebird Cafe. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lookout tower at the park visitor center. Continuing on US-441 for around five miles, youll find yourself in Cherokee, NC. Pick one and drive on! We are the only tertiary cardiology program for a 14-county area known as the Upper Cumberland region. There is so much to love about the very best scenic drives in Tennessee. The top stops along the way from Knoxville to Asheville (with short detours) are Sugarlands Distilling Company, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) Rafting. Legends Corner mural in Nashville, Tennessee Photo: Depositphotos. Folks that prefer to travel by I-75 North to Tennessee can just take Exit 27 at Lenoir City to directly enter Highway 321. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Find a Scenic Drive Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Rent from a pro and travel like one, too. William Walton created the first wagon trail across the Cumberland Plateau. 6 years ago Save For the most scenic drive you should take 441 thru The Smokies then take the Blue Ridge Parkway in Cherokee up to Asheville. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. From there youll follow US-441 / Chapman Highway through Seymour along the same path described in number 5 on the list. When you reach the end of Highway 25 E in Newport, TN, take a right onto Highway 25 W and then a left onto Highway 441 shortly after passing under the interstate. With 75 overlooks and a speed limit of 35 mph, Skyline Drive is a true opportunity to take in the beauty of Shenandoah and a trip to the Luray Caverns is well worth a visit. Come to find out, it was the hotels opening day, which made our time there all the more special. Have lunch at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant for more great views. 7 scenic alternative routes to Pigeon Forge that help you skip traffic and see beautiful sights! It includes the Ijams Nature Center, miles of trails, rock climbing routes, several civil war sites and a quarry with panoramic views. Created by Brian - October 15th 2013. In the summer, Splash Country, the Dollywood water park, is the place to cool off. A road trip is always better when filled with fun times and good tunes. Escalators move you from level to level allowing you to see everything from local river otters to the new Lemur Forest. Total Distance: 150 Miles. You can spend as much time as you want in and around Centennial Park but if you are focused solely on exploring the Parthenon, you can experience both inside and out in less than 2 hours. We have a few sites worth bragging about, including a replica of the Titanic, the resting place of Jack Daniels, and an airplane-shaped gas station. Enter the park at the Gatlinburg entrance and stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. On your road trip across Tennessee, Brooks Shaws Old Country Store in Jackson is the perfect place to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Own a cabin, A-frame, yurt, or other outdoor stay? Dubbed the citys creative Corridor, youll find beautiful architecture, a variety of shops and dining and East Tennessees most beloved coffee shops like Remedy Coffee, Wildlove Bakehouse and Old City Java. Just us 2 in our 50's. I love driving and would like to take the most scenic route. From there, we made the easy hour and a half trip north to the birthplace of country music, Bristol, Tennessee. How far is it from Nashville to Knoxville? Veterans has much less traffic than the Parkway while running parallel to it. is a national scenic treasure. eventually feeds into Chapman Highway / US Highway 441. 5 years ago Benefits: Bypass traffic in Knoxville and Exit 407 on I-40, beautiful rural views, historical towns, travel alongside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/apPVyH6EMQK2. Eventually, youll come to a junction after passing Maryville High School where youll turn right onto Highway 321, W. Lamar Alexander Parkway. See this and other recommended guides for scenic travel, camping, and RVing. Trucks and commercial vehicles arent allowed on the parkway. Lewisburg is West of Shelbyville, so if you go the former route you can go through both towns in one drive. Youll travel along Highway 19 for several miles, eventually coming to Cherokee, NC. This entrance leads visitors into a vestige of the Cumberland Plateau, which is unspoiled and densely forested. Clingman's Dome Road is a 7-mile scenic route that starts near Newfound Gap Overlook and ends at a large parking area just below the summit of the mountain. Then, stretch your legs, head to the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashvilles Music Mile to see the names of accomplished artists with a Nashville connection of all musical genres. Were in the car so often nowadays that the beauty of nature and the twang of the radio is simply forgotten. Your first stop is the citys famous Gay Street. . Other popular stops include Fall Creek Falls, Cummins Falls State Park, and American Museum of Science and Energy. While hiking and mountain biking opportunities are plentiful, nothing beats the world-class whitewater rafting. No matter which season you end up in Pigeon Forge, youll find something to celebrate. The best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville is in the spring. Benefits: Skip Knoxville traffic, drive through historic towns, enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, Google Maps link:https://goo.gl/maps/957KV9nnXM12. Once you enter Highway 19 youll see beautiful Lake Junaluska to your right. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! For fishing lovers, you wouldnt want to miss spending a few hours at the Flat Fork Creek in this park in the spring, as its stocked with rainbow trout. $115. A pandemic-friendly activity is to do a car tour of the park's 384 miles of road, . Cant get enough of Tennessee road trips? I find the I-40 section to Nashville (or to Knoxville) less "mountain" than the I-24 section to Chattanooga. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the drive. These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots.". Start by driving about 35 miles southeast to Gatlinburg, where youll find the welcome center for the state park. Explore its historic downtown, boutique shopping, chef-driven restaurants and a wide range of lodging options. Traveling the Trace is an excellent way to step back in time to an era of the scenic road trip where you take the time to enjoy the trip itself. Beginning in Tellico Plains, take the skyway to see some of the most beautiful mountain views in the whole of the state. Take I-75 North from Atlanta to Exit 293; follow the fork to the right to enter onto 411. We had the privilege of exploring Eastern Tennessee, starting in Chattanooga and making our way up north through Knoxville and eventually arrive in Bristol. At this point, youll take a right to continue onto Highway 23 and continue north until Highway 23 ends. Around Knoxville | So, pick a back road and get lost. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Youll travel on Highway 74 for a little over 2 miles past Haywood Regional Medical Center and Tuscola High School before taking Exit 103 onto Highway 19 / Dellwood Rd. The entire aquarium is set up for you to travel through it as if you were drops of rain in the ecosystem. Once youve driven through Maryville, youll have a decision between two routes of roughly equal distance. Read until the very end to learn everything there is to know about this amazing road trip. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a lonely road that runs from the heart of Tennessee straight on through to Mississippi. Won't be in a hurry as it seems to only be about 2.5 hours anyway. Scenic Roadway Program Summary Memorandum, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. Nashville to Gatlinburg drive is long but scenic. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. We had the privilege of exploring Eastern Tennessee, starting in Chattanooga and making our way up north through Knoxville and eventually arrive in Bristol. You really can't go wrong with this one - it's easy and fun. Why? The drive from Nashville to Knoxville is approximately 180 miles and takes about three hours. The byway runs through the middle of the Cumberland Plateau and Waldens Ridge, and you'll drive through tiny, historic towns like South Pittsburg and Dunlap. If you take a drive up 6,285 feet, you'll hit the peak of Roan Mountain. Adventure awaits along the Ocoee Scenic Byway. While Gay Street was the first paved road in Knoxville, its history goes even farther back. What is the best time of year to drive from Nashville to Knoxville? By 1900, due to improvements in river travel and the competition from more recent roadways, the Trace had reverted to a wilderness state along much of its original course. Menu. From there we grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the Tennessee Aquarium for a look at some really amazing exhibits. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Distance from Nashville: 74 miles, 1 hour and 19 minutes Warren County's positioning between the Barren Fork and Collins River make it a must-visit for outdoor lovers, as do its nearby state parks, Rock Island and Fall Creek Falls. Once you enter onto Highway 441, youll take the same route discussed in route number 2 on this list, travelling through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and taking the Gatlinburg bypass to arrive in Pigeon Forge. Phone +1 800-525-7077. Although it cracks state lines, the road in Tennessee runs down Highway 61 just south of Memphis and through to Mississippi. The night continued with dinner at one of Knoxvilles newest restaurants, J.C. Holdway, a beautiful farm to table restaurant serving up some amazing local fare and thoughtfully crafted mixed drinks. Rocky Top Trail The Great Smoky Mountains are the ultimate Knoxville area getaway, and the Rocky Top Trail offers one of the most scenic ways to see them. One . Once you cross the bridge that transverses the Oconaluftee River, youll take your first right to enter Highway 441 / Tsali Blvd. Read our Privacy Policy. After travelling on Highway 23 North for 29 miles, youll come to the point where Highway 441 feeds into Highway 23; keep left to continue travelling north through Chattahoochee National Forest. In Sevierville, you wont feel like youve walked into Disneyland when you visit. The routes are split into four categories, depending on which direction youre coming from. Benefits:Beautiful rural views, drive through historic Cherokee, NC, creeks that run alongside the road, final stretch through the national park, Google Maps Link:https://goo.gl/maps/6i91mAUsnqF2. Thunder Valley. From the amazing food of Knoxville to the natural beauty of Chattanooga, we feel like we experienced an area that is a true gem in the states. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing. If you complete the trail from beginning to end, youll traverse nine state parks, plenty of hiking trails, and even some off-road trails for your ATV. Throughout the 20 minutes', you'll traverse 5 miles (8 km) through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Over time inns (called stands) and small communities grew up along this route to serve travelers along the trace. Thank you! Photo Courtesy: Cari Griffith Photography, Michael McClanahan THE TENNESSEAN Hotel, Knoxville's only AAA Four Diamond award hotel, is an 82-room personal luxury hotel just steps from the city's iconic Market Square featuring beautiful mountain views. Memphis, TN 450 miles/ 6h 30m from Dallas Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Our trek to Tennessee started at 5:30a.m. What are the best roadside attractions in Tennessee? Today, you can enjoy a scenic drive along as much, or as little of it, as you please. You can make stops in between to explore the natural wonders along the way. Some accounts point to the War of 1812 as the source of this nickname, and others to the MexicanAmerican War. This is the ultimate place to learn about the history of Blues, Soul and Rock 'n' Roll. The location is by far the coolest location of any aquarium Ive ever seen, sitting right on the Tennessee River. Inside the Park. Scratch-Made Dishes, Ice-Cold Drinks, Hot Country Music. Some of the best stops on your drive from Nashville to Knoxville include Rock Island State Park, Frozen Head State Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and having some food at Market Square in Knoxville. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. The Chapman Highway driving route leads you through the Colonial Village and Lake Forest neighborhoods, where youll spot a historic cemetery and nearly 5 miles of walkable trails. Address. If youre looking for things to do in Maryville, Townsend, or anywhere in Blount County, be sure to visit the Blount County Chamber of Commerces website for cool ideas and tips. I-40W from Knoxville to Nashville Headed to Nashville from Knoxville? Michael.McClanahan@tn.gov Great River Road actually stretches across ten states as a series of scenic byways. We love them for planning our vacations and travel. Thank you! The tour also takes visitors to Fort Sanders, a Union outpost, as well as the Old Gray Cemetery, where countless veterans from both sides of the war still rest. It was such a fun and memorable experience, and one Sarah and I will talk about for years to come. Fun Fact: Captain William Driver, who flew the U.S. flag in front of his Nashville mansion, is credited with nicknaming the flag "Old Glory" in 1837. Youll find spectacular landscapes, gorgeous flowers, and fragrant trees, right in your own backyard. Read about it in our. Here you can see the Reelfoot Lake Cypress Boardwalk, but it's the trek out here that will really give you a beautiful view. Eventually the bypass turns into Highway 23 North. Hop out and take a ride on the aerial tramway, catch a show at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, or sip some legally produced moonshine at the Ole Smoky Distillery. We were welcomed with the warmest of greetings at The Tennessean Hotel. Main Routes: HWY 150, HWY 55, HWY 15. and leave at 7:01 pm. We want to hear! "Ridges to Rivers" flows into action at Tennessee Aquarium. Army troops began clearing brush and building bridges along the trail and in a few years a good section of the trail had been improved from a winding, narrow path to a wider more comfortable road for wagons and horses and began attracting numerous travelers in addition to the Boatmen. After about 5 miles on Chapman Highway, youll take a right onto River Divide Rd., the latter half of which runs alongside the West Prong Little Pigeon River. This inland sea is situated underground and boasts the title of largest underground lake in America, covering more than 4 acres. Youll find authentic charm in Sevierville. Benefits: Drive through a national forest and a national park on your way to Pigeon Forge, visit several small historic towns, experience the cultural center that is Cherokee, NC, Google Maps Link:https://goo.gl/maps/ZJHCFWCSjJ62. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the river running alongside the road and the prepossessingmountain views.