Gatlinburg - October 2008

[bw2]

We are traveling to Gatlinburg on Saturday, 10/18/08. Can anyone help me with understanding how the traffic will be that afternoon on 321 heading into Gatlinburg from I40? It was recommended by the owner of Twin Creek RV Resort, to go around on I40 and come into Gatlinburg through Cosby. This adds about 40 miles to the trip but if the traffic will be pretty slow, that may be the best route.

Any thoughts??

Thanks

bw2

[PowellsMonty]

321 into Gatlinburg is not normally bad, until you are 2-3 miles out of town. Then not terrible until you are 1 mile out. Once you are in town, its terrible, stop & go & bumper to bumper all the way. He probably knows of what he speaks.

[jsnip42]

I agree traffic is pretty bad. Especially on Saturday. The last time I was there in October we had bumper to bumper from Severville all the way through Pigeon Forge. I would go the long way around also. Beautiful drive that way also. Twin Creek is a beautiful campground. I have stayed there many times.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Is that weekend one of those with the car shows??? Or some other special event. We got caught in one of those one year, it was ugly to say the least. VERY UGLY!

I would be tempted to listen to the campground owner.

[adelmoll]

Check out out blog for last October in the area. It was awesome. We had no problem at all with any of the roads unless you are one of those that can't stand to drive in any traffic. To us it was worth every second of the wait.

Helen

[Jay Bird]

bw2,
We went into Gatlinburg through Pigeon Forge (441 to 321). Must have hit it right not much traffic. However, we left Gatlinburg north on 321 through Cosby to I-40 and it was not bad either. I guess it just depends on the traffic. If I do it again from the East, I would probably take 321 through Cosby from I-40.

[bw2]

Thanks to all for the input. Since we are arriving on a Saturday mid to late afternoon, fall leaves beginning, we are probably going to follow the CG owners recommendation and go around 321!

Thanks

bw2

[Emmel]

Bob, we went to Gatlinburg in Oct a couple years ago for a car show. When we were trying to get off I-40 to go to Sevierville, the campers were backed up on the interstate trying to do the same. Never understood who would schedule a car show when the leaves were turning. We were in our Trans Ams and everyone was real nice and told us on the cb to just go around on the shoulder since we could maneuver just a tad better than the units they were pulling or driving! But, that's campers for you!!!!!

[sreigle]

When we went to Twin Creeks in Gatlinburg we came down through Pigeon Forge from the north. This turned out to be the opening day for one of Dolly's shows. It took us 45 minutes to move the first 9 miles from I-40. Traffic in Pigeon Forge is heavy at any time but should be doable most of the time. Taking 321 through Cosby would be a lot easier but if you're coming from the west that's a very long way around. I just checked, it's 35 miles farther. I think in that case I'd go ahead and go through Pigeon Forge.