Route 66 - cross-country USA road trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2.5 mile round-trip trek to the waterfalls. This luxury 5-star hotel has a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, an excellent restaurant, and an onsite fitness center, so there is plenty to help you relax and unwind after your drive before hitting the town. The top stops along the way from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with short detours) are Horseshoe Hammond, Louisville Mega Cavern, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum (SUN), Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Boise (BOI), Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Salt Lake City, Take the bus from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Take the bus from Twin Falls to Ketchum, ID, Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station. You can tour these facilities and learn about how world-famous Kentucky Bourbon is made! Lexington is a nice town. You can easily avoid the smaller roads that go through the Smoky Mountains From Nashville.head toward Chattanooga then Atlanta. A Smoky Mountain road trip is the perfect summer family vacation getaway in America's Appalachian Mountains. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. This includes an average layover time of around 1h 44m. Cades Cove is a 11 mile loop road famous for its wild life sightings and also boasts of several hiking opportunities inside the area. This post has already been read 2799 times! 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. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Its the first public outdoor work of British artist Anish Kapoor to appear in the United States. The Sherman Minton on I-64 is toll free but the bridge is currently under construction. 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. The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and their signature heavenly bed will ensure the perfect restorative sleep, so you are fully refreshed and ready for the day of adventure ahead. The Lincoln Bridge handles northbound traffic. Next day morning we started after the breakfast and enjoyed driving on the beautiful highway that connects kentucky with Smokey Mountains, and passes through valleys and hills full of life. The resort is adjacent to the city of Ketchum and within the greater Wood River valley. Baldy has one of the higher summits of the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, that are located in the Sawtooth National Forest. Each state has a DOT that gives a list of current construction projects. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Further east is Batesville, IN, and within miles a smaller city/town called Oldenburg. See our recommendations for the best route, things to see, places to stay, and when to make this fantastic trip. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. From Bryson City, take the NC-28 N and US-129 N, stopping off at the Tail of the Dragon, a lookout area offering spectacular lake and mountain views, before continuing along Foothills Parkway. A total of 2,448 miles (3,940km) weave, wind, rise and dip through . We recommend scheduling at least two overnight stops or more depending on your desire to explore further. 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. 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. Thanks to SMO rafting team who did us a solid by pushing our reservation otherwise we would have kissed our rafting money good-bye. You could detour to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park if weather permitting. It's nothing but the quintessential American road trip. Catch a tour from Pigeon Forge. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Taking you from Lake Michigan to Biscayne Bay, a trip of such proportions will be one you will never forget. Then on Day 2, you could easily include side trips to and stops at both Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before finishing up in the Great Smoky Mountain are for a couple of days. If youve ever seen a Tiffanys bean necklace, this sculpture bears a striking resemblance. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. Distance: 2,448 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: September-Early November. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. long term rentals in vilcabamba, ecuador; celebrity fight night; chicago to smoky mountains road trip stops Leaving Atlanta, take the I-85s for 161 miles to the delightful city of Montgomery. Leaving Pigeon Forge, take the US-321 south and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains as you make the short 8-mile journey to Gatlinburg. 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. The Townsend Wye popular swimming spot. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. Luckily, we found this hidden pearl called Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks. 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. Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Music lovers can experience the Motown sound at the Sounds of Soul in the Smokies Festival at the end of July. 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. From here, take the I-95 S for the final stretch of the journey which will take you to Miami. 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 . Luckily, United Airline's largest hub is based in O'Hare and this airline also services Knoxville's airport. As a result, flying can be a cheaper, time-efficient way to get from Chicago to the Smokies. This one-way route takes you through three Midwestern states: Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Show only these on map Horseshoe Hammond Its not every day that you see horses frolicking from your front-yard. Horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. This luxury resort offers incredible views of the Smoky Mountains making it the ideal place to stay during your time exploring this beautiful destination. Three hours east of Nashville, clocking in at 180 miles, make a pit stop in Knoxville. We reserved this cottage at Sevierville, Tennessee via VRBO. The quickest route from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 580 miles and takes 8 hours and 50 minutes without accounting for any pit stops or detours you might want to make on your way. Both known for German heritage. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Smoky Mountains? Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Smoky Mountains right here. There are 138+ hotels available in Smoky Mountains. Simply provide a contact name and email so that we can reach you. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and Coca-Cola, (be sure to check out the museums dedicated to both), this lively city also features the fantastic Georgia Aquarium, some fabulous restaurants, and terrific nightlife. Gatlinburg sky lift, Gatlinburg scenic overlook, Gatlinburg space needle were some of teh other attractions that we covered in the Gatlinburg town. Indiana area. Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. Thrill-seekers can take a ride on the rocky top alpine mountain coaster. There is ongoing construction on I-65 N in several areas. The 1,385-mile journey from Chicago to Miami takes 21 hours and 10 minutes of pure driving, passing Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Montgomery, Orlando, Tampa, and the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. To aid you in your planning, we have compiled our own list of some of the main places to go and the best things to see along the journey. The area is served by Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, approximately 15mi south. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other spots in Tennessee and North Carolina. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . Fly Chicago O'Hare to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Fly Chicago Midway to Sun Valley/Hailey/Ketchum, Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Google Maps gives current drive conditions as you enter destinations. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/laurel-falls2. The best way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains without a car is to train and bus which takes 42h 55m and costs $200-$290. May consider driving around. United Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago to Smoky Mountains every 2 hours. Founded in 1995, it has collections in skiing, mining Sun Valley, sheep, and Hemingway. LeConte in the Smokies, then start planning your trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN today! Connecting Midwesterners to a world full of road-trips, hikes, nature and adventure. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Smoky Mountains? From Knoxville, head onto the US-441 S, admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery, and you'll arrive at Pigeon Forge, an excellent base from which to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. You'll find loads of iconic spotsand a fair few hidden gemsas you head southeast! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Leaving Chicago, take the I-90 along the shores of Lake Michigan for just over 30 Miles. We have stayed in downtown Lexington and found it a safe city with some charm. Your email address will not be published. May be Tripadvisorcan be a good and reliable source for planning what all attractions you want to cover in Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. Having said that, if the humidity is predicted to be really high, plan your boat trip for the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky. Our hiking blog has tips and tricks for vacationers in Gatlinburg who want -, Any time of year is a great time to visit Gatlinburg and the Smokies! In fact, the nearby park entrance at Townsend is closer to Cades Cove, a preserved pioneer community, than the Gatlinburg entrance (7.3 vs. 27 miles). Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Prepare yourself for the best Smokies vacation possible with your favorite people by knowing what to pack when going to the mountains! Ghoomaphirna is all about passion for travel and road trips. The rafting trip itself was impeccable gentle 1.5 hour ride with Class 1/2 rapids. Just two and a half hours southwest of Louisville lies Nashville, the country western capital of the country. The direct Interstate-65 route will introduce you to some truly memorable scenery. A third of the way into the journey, 472 miles from Chicago, Nashville is a fabulous place to visit. Chock-full of souvenir shops, craft stores, restaurants, and kitschy attractions (think Ripleys Believe it or Not! Kat_Cubs_fan - We will probably go through Indianapolis, Louisville & Lexington. For each of the fields, please provide the following information: After your first search, it isn't necessary to click the "search" button again as this feature will automatically filter your results for any new search features you provide, unless you change the date, the number of nights, or go to a new webpage. Rich in cultural and natural history, it is well worth stopping off to explore. 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. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Nashville has its own replica of the Parthenon at the 132-acre Centennial Park and Gardens, which is located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University. 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! Key stops are Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway. to honor the goddess of Athena. Situated right in the heart of downtown, you'll be within walking distance to the Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and much more. 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. Longer trips (Over 8 hours each way) While a drive of this length probably won't suit spring breakers with young families, this is a great time to take an adventure with older children or to hit the road with a group of friends. Fans of all ages can take a nostalgic journey through musical history with the hits of Stevie Wonder to the Temptations, and many more. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. I would check the lodging at Exit 108 on I-75, thats Man-O-War exit. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47723701', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago to Pigeon Forge. The quickest way to get from Chicago to Smoky Mountains is to fly which costs $180-$650 and takes 6h 26m. It is currently at MM 6not sure where it might be in May. Run though the tech essentials to turbo-charge your road trips. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. We wrapped up the day with a sumptuous dinner hereat Curry N More. 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. READ MORE - Road Trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Forest. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Furthermore, specific Get ready for an incredible journey into the Souths top attractions and best-kept secrets in this road trip that begins in Chicago and leads you to the nations most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I've got some great ideas from all of the replies. The 580-mile road trip from Chicago to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. Newfound Gap. The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains costs only $133, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Would highly recommend carrying picnic chairs and some water floats for kids to enjoy the stream. Forgot to mention leaving Chicago around 4am on Saturday morning so baby can hopefully sleep for most part to Nashville Ill of course plan to stop a few times alone the way. Theres few better ways to enjoy a hot summer day than to be on the water. Our trip to zip line was also special, as many of us did that for the first time in life. Users of this Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Smoky Mountains via St Louis, Denver, Twin Falls, and Ketchum, ID in around 46h 9m. After all, the city boasts free music all the time.. For help planning your getaway to Gatlinburg, feel free to contact our helpful reservations office at (865) 436-5031 today! I can't add much to above but I assume when you leave Lexington you are headed home to Chicago? A springtime trip will still have glorious weather and less traffic than the summer season. A road trip from Chicago to Miami is an epic north-to-south adventure. Between downtown Indy and Shelbyville, IN is a casino just off I-74. Louisville has a tourist website you can check out for other ideas. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Next, stop by the mesmerizing Crown Fountain, which features the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents on two 250-foot glass towers, each one at the opposite end of a shallow reflecting pool. ), the bustling towns can be a sensory overload or a rollicking good time, depending on your perspective. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is great! . There is currently construction on I-65 N after you exit I-265. Situated almost halfway into this fabulous road trip, 719 miles from Chicago, the place to stay is undoubtedly the Westin Peachtree Plaza. It's also about as good as anywhere to spend the night. Continue reading to get all you need to make an exciting itinerary, exploring everything this route has to offer. Since it looks like you're a baseball fan, you might enjoy the Louisville Slugger museum and factory. The road climbs some 3,000 feet along the edge of the mountain, and passes through a stunning number of . 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. Churchill Downs officially opened in 1875, but the sport of horse racing can be traced back to 1789 in Kentucky. See if you can catch a show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry where pop artists and country singers perform or head to a smaller venue like The Bluebird Cafe to see incredible live music in a really intimate space. There are many places to stop between Chicago and the Great Smoky Mountains and you'll pass many cities and be spoilt for choice with accommodation options. Once you arrive at Tyson McGee, we recommend that you rent a car to drive the remaining 1 hour to the Smoky Mountains. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. The distance between Chicago and Smoky Mountains is 2206 km. There is tourist info but also a huge shop with local arts and crafts. Most of the trip will be on the Interstate-65, a perfect road for such a journey. From Chicago, you will drive along the shores of Lake Michigan on Interstate 90 E until you reach Exit 17 and merge onto Interstate 65 S to Indianapolis. Its bustling energy is countered by the friendliness of the people, which can catch you off-guard if you are not from the Midwest. They included short trips to nearby cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis, and longer drives to places like South Dakota and the Smoky Mountains. We are stopping in Nashville, TN on the way there and sleeping overnight and then. A trip to Nashville is not complete without immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene. If you live in Chicago, IL and you want to explore some of the most gorgeous mountains in all of Appalachia, check out our guide on how to get to the Smoky Mountains from Chicago! Clingmans Dom highest point at Smoky with stunning views. Falls of the Ohio State Park is in Indiana, just across from Louisville, offers great photos of the downtown Louisville skyline across the river. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! One thing you can count on is construction on almost all interstates. The road here takes some dramatic twists and turns and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and savor the views.