Any secret backroads to eliminate Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg traffic (Knoxville, Sevierville: hotel, movies)

[merrickmgt]

We visit family in Pigeon Forge a lot and typically spend a full hour to go just a few miles in the traffic on the main drag from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburge, and vice versa. My family says there is no back road but I wanted to double check and save time the next time, if we can )

[insanesmooch]

I don't remember all the backroads, but there are some. I'm not sure if you can go straight to Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge on the back roads. But I know there is a back way to Dollywood going through that little down town area in Sevierville. It's been years since I have been that way, so I don't remember much about it. My uncle and grandmother go to Dollywood almost every week and that's how they go. A couple of years ago we went on a backroad where we cut off in the spur- between PG and G- and it took us into Gatlinburg. I was cemetary hunting because my paternal family was among the first settlers of the area. When we went down the road from the cemetary, we had to go left or right. Right took us into Gatlinburg. Left may be the road to go back to PG.
I know I'm not much help, but I can offer you hope that there are backroads. Somewhere I have a map of the area with my genealogy stuff, if I find it I will let you know the road names.

[horsecreek]

Stay with the herd. Remember Deliverance ?

[GrannyLois]

Middlecreek Road is the back road along the east side of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. There is less traffic, but many people have discovered that road.

To avoid highway 66 (the road you turn on at exit 407), take I-40 south where 81 and 40 merge, and after a few miles, there is a road to Gatlinburg/Piegon Forge. Check a map to find out the name or number of the road, as I don't remember. I don't use it.

I usually 'stay with the herd' as the humorous guy above said, but not for that reason. I try to avoid weekends in summer if at all possible. For some reason, I've never been stuck in traffic like so many have. I've heard horror stories of people going one mile from their hotel in Pigeon Forge to Dollywood, and it taking almost an hour.

Gotta watch that peak time and you'll be okay.

[Jessg]

From Sevierville take Dolly Parton Pkwy to Pittman Center Rd. Follow that road and it turns into Birds Creek.Stay on that road until the end and you reach Hwy 411 E. Parkway. That road will take you right downtown with no traffic. And just an fyi its a main road that tourists dont know about and ive used it my whole life and have never seen anything Deliverance like on it!! Dont believe things like that. People should know that places arent always what you see in the movies(which it wasnt even about here btw) But anyways Ill hold my tongue on anymore and just hope this helps to you Merrick! Have a great day!

[DreamingofTn]

Deliverence was in Georgia

pull up a map, like Google maps...

[amyevansmom]

Consider yourself greatly priviledged to receive that information...the locals will NEVER tell you of the alternate routes...they don't want them congested. I can't believe you gave up that information Jessg!

[utvolsfan13]

Kind of depends where you're coming from. If you are coming from the Knoxville area, you can skip I-40 and take Chapman Highway. This still takes you straight to Sevierville though, so you have to endure the traffic from there on out. I learned some interesting things about Chapman Highway. Ever been on it? Once you go over the Henley Street Bridge, from Knoxville, you are on Chapman Highway. There are countless old motels, shops, restaurants and stuff on this road. There are NO hotel chains, just individually owned. Lots of the gift stores and restaurants have closed down. Does anyone know why?

Prior to the building of I-40, Chapman Highway was the main road to the Smoky Mountains. Before I-40, Chapman Highway was just like the road that goes through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge now. All the closed down shops were bustling because so many tourists took this route. In came the interstate, bye bye Chapman Highway. It has been experiencing a resurgence lately though with housing developments and such. Just thought some might find that interesting.

[hiknapster]

utvolsfan:

There's a guy on the internet that has pictures of a lot of those old places, then and now. It's really cool. I found it when I was googling around. If you like that sort of thing, like I do, you will love that website. He has a tiki website or something, too. You might find it by googling tiki and Knoxville. I can't seem to remember the website. Senility is a terrible thing!

[jimkalita]

there r many great backroads which we have found in our many visits to gatlinburg... we are from canada and not afraid of any goings on ,,,nobody is about to get you ...you watch too much tv....for that I would never give out our little secrets and it is no wonder the locals will not tell you..we actually found out from the locals in them ther mountains....hehe maybe you should make freinds