DIRECTIONS TO GATLINBURG
SEE PERTINENT UPDATES AND LINKS BELOW – NOTE: 441 BETWEEN CHEROKEE AND GATLINBURG IS NOW OPEN. (UPDATED: 10/19/2024)
Traffic in the Smokies can get heavy, especially along Highway 66 during peak travel seasons (July and October are the highest travel months). Take one of these less-traveled and scenic routes to Gatlinburg. Alternate routes can take less time than these.
The convention center is located at traffic light #8 in Gatlinburg
234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Your alternate location is the front entrance along Parkway
920 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The Fire Hall in Gatlinburg is located one block away
309 Reagan Drive, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Alternate Routes From Upper North Carolina
Coming from upper North Carolina, choose a route to connect to I-81 in Tennessee near Johnson City, then travel south to connect to I-40 West to Exit 407 (Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg). (Updated 10/14/2024) Hopefully I-26 in North Carolina will reopen soon; projected for March 2025.
Alternate Routes from Lower North Carolina, South Carolina, and Northeast Georgia
Coming in from southern North Carolina, choose a route to connect to Highway 411 North (Vonore/Maryville) in Tennessee, then follow Hwy 411 through Maryville and take Hwy 321 into Townsend. Once there, you may either choose to cross Wears Valley Road to Pigeon Forge, or continue through Townsend to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, turning left onto River Road. This will take you into Gatlinburg as well. Both are beautiful, scenic drives.
If you have never taken this section of The Foothills Parkway, now would be a lovely time. Look for the entrance to the Foothills Parkway on your right on Hwy 321 in the Walland, Tennessee, area, just before Townsend. This section will flow you around some of the most spectacular scenery and end onto Wears Valley Road.
UPDATE – 09/28/2024 – AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, ALL THESE ROUTES ARE OPEN, INCLUDING THE GATLINBURG BY-PASS, IF THAT IS OF INTEREST TO YOU.