The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to train and bus which costs $200-$290 and takes 42h 55m. We have stayed in Antioch, a little south of Nashville for this purpose. Chicago to Miami Road Trip Itinerary. The period between June and August is an excellent time to go on a road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains. Lexington is a nice town. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. Conversely, over the winter months, you might find that snow makes some of the areas around the national parks very difficult, and possibly cause road closures in the mountainous areas. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by Cabins USA Gatlinburg. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. From Nashville, take the I-40 east to Knoxville passing through picturesque mountain scenery before reaching Kodak where you will take the TN-66 south for around 30 mins before arriving at Pigeon Forge. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. If you appreciate the beauty of foliage in the fall season, making the trip in autumn is for you. A springtime trip will still have glorious weather and less traffic than the summer season. Do bear in mind some attractions may be closed as they transition from winter. The options are endless, so here are our recommendations. While in the park, see videos of different Nashville music artists talking about trees, how to take care of them and why they are important. I will be sure to stop at that abandoned brewery and also try our luck at watching the Jay's potato chip factory unload potatoes. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Chicago to Pigeon Forge - any stops? - Great Smoky Mountains National And history buffs will feel right at home with these historic treasures. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Ultimate Tennessee Road Trip - National Geographic River Tubing at The River Rat Main Outpost. After doing an availability search for your desired vacation date, our site will produce a list of available cabins. There are many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. Day 1 - The Drive and the Cottage. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the tunes (and the excellent people watching). The fastest route between Chicago and Miami covers a distance of around 1,385 miles, but we recommend extending the journey to include trips to Pigeon Forge and Montgomery which will add a further 450 miles to the trip. We dont mind passing by mountains in the view on interstate but correct we want to avoid smaller roads through mountains. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Other than that, you can hit the open road whenever you feel like it. The road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains will be memorable whichever time of year you decide to go, which is all dependent on your preferences for the weather and the season. Places to Visit on a Smoky Mountains Road Trip | Marriott TRAVELER Finally, before heading to Miami, take a trip to Tampa and witness the wonderful museums, historic Ybor City neighborhood, and the fabulous Busch Gardens. The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum Airport is the direct flight which takes 4h 3m. Gretto Falls - 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. Chicago to Miami RV Road Trip Guide (+ RV Rental) | RVshare Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Chicago To The Ozarks Road Trip. Chicago is 587.3 miles away from the Smoky Mountains by car. Luckily, we found this hidden pearl called Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks. Advance booking of Smoky Mountain cabin rentalswas the best decision in this trip, as we got a beautiful rental property on the hill overlooking mountains and the valleys. From here, head south and join Interstate 75 where you will arrive at Lexington, where our main route continues. For an incredible scenic drive, take the two-lane Foothills Parkway located off Hwy. The Lewis and Clark Bridge (toll) is on I-265. Other popular stops include Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Ark Encounter, and Market Square. https://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/gatlinburg. Stayed in Chattanooga for two nights and saw the sights there, then ended up in Gatlinburg for two or three nights. The I-40 corridor between Asheville to TN is steep and in Knoxville, you get on I-75 which will also have a steep incline until you get to KY . The top stops along the way from Chicago to Gatlinburg (with short detours) are Louisville Mega Cavern, Market Square, and Keeneland Association Inc. Other popular stops include Kentucky Horse Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, and Big Four Bridge. But we had plenty of time and so we decided to take a detour and check the Oakridge city and famous American Museum of Science and EnergyAMSE. Take as many days as you can allow to cover this impressive journey and look forward to a truly memorable road trip of a lifetime. You can choose to stay in one or more of the many fascinating cities along the route or take a more secluded getaway in one of the national parks. Chicago to the Smoky Mountains sites to see - RoadTrip America Then head to the citys celebrated Millennium Park downtown. We went back to our cottage to recharge the batteries and then went for Skylift again, to take advantage of the night views. The hotel is conveniently located in Whiskey Row close to the city's main attractions. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. Next 2 days that we spent in Smoky mountains were all fun, as went on doing lot of outdoor activities like zip line, horse riding, helicopter trip etc. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Am I allowed to travel from Chicago to Smoky Mountains? Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. The joy of a road trip is having the freedom to take your time and explore, so plan accordingly to take in as many of the wonderful attractions en route as your schedule will allow for. To cover all the attractions in Smoky mountains 2 days are not enough, and needs lot of planning if we you want to cover all the natural sceneries and attractions. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. The trip starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. Neon signs on Lower Broadway Area of Nashville. If you take the fastest route, and all factors remain constant, the road trip from Chicago to Asheville will take you about 10 hours and 05 minutes. It is highly trafficked with narrow lanes and sometimes you could be stuck behind hoards of cars so please plan at least couple of hours for the visit. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. The Sherman Minton on I-64 is toll free but the bridge is currently under construction. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. When you board one of Pink Adventure Tours signature pink Jeep Wranglers, youll soak up more information than you thought possible on your Smoky Mountains tour. Its Luhville to you. Michael Jackson's childhood home and after that there is not much to see except ground hogs on the side of the road when you hit the Tennessee border. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Distillery Tours On this drive, you'll pass through the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country where several major distilleries are based. Foraccommodation, I would highly recommend going for one of the innumerous cottages and cabins on offer at Airbnb/VRBO. long term rentals in vilcabamba, ecuador; celebrity fight night; chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. Once you arrive at Tyson McGee, we recommend that you rent a car to drive the remaining 1 hour to the Smoky Mountains. We treat any information that you share as confidential. Here are five reasons why you should. Making the trip in May will also appeal to sports fans, with both the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500 usually taking place at this time. The hotel puts you right in the heart of the action. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. Bad part Every one of them was brimming with people. Add/Remove Favorites Check out our best short vacation ideas for Gatlinburg to get started! I've never really stopped anywhere along the way, though I've done some research on the areas and might visit them in the future. Keep on reading to discover many amazing places to visit, the best route, where to stay, and when to go. 600 miles, took around 11hours with multiple breaks and a huge traffic jam at I-75. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. This post has already been read 2799 times! Chooseyouractivities and places to visit. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. Hello my husband and I will be traveling with our 11month old from Chicago to Hilton Head Island on Saturday, May 14th and trekking back on Saturday, May 21st. Continuing on I-65, 300 miles into the trip, you will arrive at Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's oldest and most famous horse races and an ideal place for an overnight stay. The first stop was at a coffee joint at Lafayette, Indiana. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Both known for German heritage. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. However, with stops and traffic, the whole drive can take up to 11 hours. Directions and distance from Chicago IL to Smoky Mountain Ranch TX Rise and shine - We left sharp at 6 AM in our Durango R/T to kick-start our first summer road trip of 2021. The museum has many exhibits, including robots, science puzzles, timeline of atomic discoveries,a display devoted to nuclear weapons and the Y-12 Plant, and a solar energy demonstration project. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Smoky Mountains? Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this outdoor concert venue has 4,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 7,000 people on the Great Lawn. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. Indianapolis: Some museums in the downtown area might be of interest. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. Consider Nashville Chattanooga Cloudland Canyon State Park Report inappropriate content Nancy B 10 posts 3. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There were less people in the bottom fall, which was a relief. From Gatlinburg, take the US-441 south to Cherokee and then join the US-23 passing through Franklin and Tallulah Falls, continuing for 197 miles as you make your way into the Deep South and the city of Atlanta. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 But to truly experience Louisville, you need to go underground. 40 Best Stops Between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Chicago To get the most out of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains, be sure to check out our excellent selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals close to the Smokies that come with hot tubs, game rooms, and decks with stunning mountain views! It is about 20-30 minutes from Lexington. The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 43 min and costs $1-$5. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains costs only $212, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. There are a few war museums, a western/American Indian museum, and a general state museum. I use AllTrails.com as my trail guide and have found their trail inventories well-equipped, here is the link to other hiking options at Smoky From Indianapolis, continue on I-65 and consider a detour to Bloomington city, where you can visit Indiana's oldest park, McCormick's Creek State Park, and marvel at the impressive limestone canyon. We parked at Gatlinburg Skylift Park itself to save time (20$ a day parking) and hobbled over to the ticket counter. Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! The 2 bridges on I -65 are toll bridges. From Pigeon Forge, head south on US-321 to Gatlinburg, where you can enjoy one of the many mountain trails before joining US-441 and heading towards the loop. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Smoky Mountains is recommended. Smoky Mountain Brewery Trails Gatlinburg Trail.very close to Riverhouse at the Park and Bearskin Lodge Laurel Falls.very popular.try to be at trailhead by 7 AM. Additionally, it contains an archive of documents and Historical photographs. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Additionally, you clear your favorites list by clicking "remove all" on the favorites bar. The direct Interstate-65 route will introduce you to some truly memorable scenery. The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. 1. The Townsend Wye popular swimming spot. Leaving Lexington, take the I-75 S heading through the rugged landscape of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the biggest rock-climbing destinations in the world, before continuing on to Knoxville. Being 2 blocks south of Broadway, the Hyatt Centric is just steps away from fabulous honky-tonk bars and a vibrant local music scene. Currently, there is no shuttle service that connects to Gatlinburg. We are stopping in Nashville, TN on the way there and sleeping overnight and then stopping in Lexington Kentucky to stay overnight on the way back. Misty Morning at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park Photo: Jonathan Hill. Amit is a financial engineer by profession, road trip addict, wannabe tennis player and has a gregarious personality. My main concerns are construction/traffic as well as we have a major concern of wanting to avoid windy, bridges/single roads in the Smoky Mountains as we both are anxious of heights/bridges. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Head east to Hilton Head. It is perfectly placed to take in the nightlife and indulge in the delicious southern cuisine. Most of the folks in our raft had little to no experience as well and this trip was a great way to expose them to the world of white-water rafting. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Again, mostly a wilderness type area, which you could find in Great Smoky Mountains area. See our recommendations for the best route, things to see, places to stay, and when to make this fantastic trip. The one time i took 65, i left VERY early (5.30 AM) and beat the morning rush if you get out early on a saturday morn, you SHOULD be OK, but you'll still encounter a lot of trucks. IMO, the few advantages of 65 over 57 is it's about 30 or 40 miles shorter (big whip if you get stuck in traffic), it's more scenic (57 doesn't start getting interesting till southern ILL), and it allows you to circumvent downtown nashville more easily as traffic there can be just as bad as chicago at times. but since you're stopping there one of the ways, it's a moot point. second the chattanooga traffic comment we just passed thru there over t-giving and it was HORRIBLE, and there's no viable way to get around the city because it's surrounded by mountains. also, about a half hour north of chattanooga along I-24 is the monteagle pass.. it's one of the steepest stretches of interstate i've ever experienced and best done during the day.. people fly up and down that stretch, so be aware of that since there are some pretty decent turns on it as well. if it's been raining, there are some pretty cool waterfalls (albeit man-made as they tumble down the road cut) along the way, but watch your speed! Trip Length: It's a 20-hour drive, but this is without making stops along the way. Cummins Waterfall This one is technically outside smoky but quite adventurous, Tip:Smoky has a plethora of hiking options and finding the right one could be a stretch.