US-441 travel question (Knoxville, Johnson City, Gatlinburg: rent, airport, winter)

[alikair]

I am traveling from Greenville SC through Asheville onto Knoxville the end of November.

I was hoping to return to Greenville SC via US 441 through Gatlinburg, Cherokee, then south via 74.

With extra traffic (I-40 closed due to the landslide), and probably winter weather, is this travel plan doable?

PS. we need to be on a plane a day after this drive and cant chance getting stuck in our rent a car.

[mcatp]

441 through the mountains can be VERY slow.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by alikair

I am traveling from Greenville SC through Asheville onto Knoxville the end of November.

I was hoping to return to Greenville SC via US 441 through Gatlinburg, Cherokee, then south via 74.

With extra traffic (I-40 closed due to the landslide), and probably winter weather, is this travel plan doable?

PS. we need to be on a plane a day after this drive and cant chance getting stuck in our rent a car.

As mcatp said, that's a very, very slow drive. However, it's faster than the alternative (US 129) and really you don't have much of a choice since I-40 will most likely still be closed through the mountains. There are usually more slowpoke sightseers on the weekends so hopefully you'll be doing it during the week.

It'll be a slow drive simply because it's a 2-lane mountain road full of tourists out to see the gorgeous mountain views. And it is gorgeous. The road will not, however, be closed because of winter weather. I mean MAYBE there will be winter weather, but in late November it's highly unlikely.

[alikair]

If we travel during the week should it take longer then an hour?

[jabogitlu]

Unless there's a 100-year freak blizzard you won't get stuck out there. However who knows how long it could take.

If you're wanting to be totally sure you'll get home, you could always go up 81 and catch I-26 in Johnson City. However that adds another 1.5 hour or so to your trip I'd imagine, and while I-26 through the border mountain is breathtaking, you'd be missing the 441 scenery.

[alikair]

thanks everyone

[creeksitter]

Since the leaf jams will be over by late Nov I think you can figure on the usual time of 1.5 hours Gatlinburg to Cherokee.

In the extremely unlikely event of bad weather, another option is hwy 68 south to 64E and there are several routes that will get you to I-85 with lower mountain passes than 441. Or you could just go by way of Atlanta. What airport are you flying out of?

[alikair]

Charlotte

[creeksitter]

Oops, I see you are returning to Greenville. Well 68 will also take you to GA 76 which is a very improved road at least as far as Hiawassee and probably further. Very scenic, too.

But most likely you will be traveling on 441. I want to caution you not to go directly to I-40through maggie valley but take the more southerly route (64) that goes past Sylva & Waynesville.

[alikair]

I-40? why would I go there there? that road is closed