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Old 11-14-2012, 12:15 PM
 
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Hi- we're coming for a vacation from Chicago to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, but I've never driven mountainous roads. Can you tell me what driving is like in the Smokey's? Thank you.
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Old 11-14-2012, 02:21 PM
 
Location: Cumberland Co. TN
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Like a rollercoaster.
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Old 11-14-2012, 03:08 PM
 
Location: Mississippi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO View Post
Hi- we're coming for a vacation from Chicago to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, but I've never driven mountainous roads. Can you tell me what driving is like in the Smokey's? Thank you.
It's best to drive the Smokey's, or any mountain area in a manual transmission vehicle. My wife and I went to the Smokey's on our honeymoon and she wanted to take the automatic because it was a larger car. Problem was, it had a transmission that free wheeled and provided no engine breaking even when shifted down to low. I had to drive very strategically to not overheat the brakes.
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Old 11-15-2012, 05:30 AM
 
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oh this trip seems a bit too much for my comfort level, driving in the mountains which i have never done yet.

I guess it would be like people coming here to snowy Chicago where i live, and not being used to snow, but snow is easy for me to drive in.

Can you suggest an alternative if I want to go there?
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Old 11-15-2012, 05:47 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO View Post
oh this trip seems a bit too much for my comfort level, driving in the mountains which i have never done yet.

I guess it would be like people coming here to snowy Chicago where i live, and not being used to snow, but snow is easy for me to drive in.

Can you suggest an alternative if I want to go there?
Fly
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Old 11-15-2012, 06:34 AM
 
Location: Mount Airy, Maryland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO View Post
oh this trip seems a bit too much for my comfort level, driving in the mountains which i have never done yet.

I guess it would be like people coming here to snowy Chicago where i live, and not being used to snow, but snow is easy for me to drive in.

Can you suggest an alternative if I want to go there?
Personally I think they are making way to big of a deal out of driving in the mountains. Sure a manual transmission makes it easier but it is not necessary. I've driven all over the country, including the huge Rocky Mountains, and have never had a problem. If you are concerned about the brakes overheating, or start to smell a burning smell, the solution is a very simple 10 minute stop at the next nice viewing area. And the Smoky Mts are nothing like the Rockies.

Now if there's snow and ice, well that's a different story. But please do not cancel your trip because of the mountains. You will really be missing out on one of natures wonders if you skip mountains out of fear.
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Old 11-15-2012, 07:54 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
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I have to agree with DaveinMtAiry, I've driven through the Rocky Mountains with an automatic transmission without any problems. I've also been through the smokies too. We have never owned a manual transmission car.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:20 AM
 
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Good heavens, driving to Pigeon Forge is not driving "in the mountains." Pigeon Forge is near the mountains, but the drive into Pigeon Forge is all on fairly level six-lane roads. If anything, you'll be more aggravated by the stop-and-go traffic between Sevierville and Pigeon Forge than you will be by any "mountain" driving around there. And the only way you're going to experience any mountain driving is if you veer off the four-lane road and go up into the mountains. If you're staying at a hotel in Pigeon Forge, that won't be an issue.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:32 AM
 
Location: Brentwood, Tennessee
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Right, it's not as if you're off-roading. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the US because SO MANY people drive through it. In fact, they're worried about the amount of smog from vehicle emissions affecting the park.

It's full of paved roads that often are bumper-to-bumper in the spring and fall.

From nearly 50 years of living in Tennessee I can tell you that most of the drivers attempting it are nowhere near "great drivers."
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Old 11-15-2012, 09:14 AM
 
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Oh then it might be ok. I will be driving automatic, not a manual. I would be coming on one of the expressways (I forget which number)... I dont plan to be exploring the mountains, but just concerned about having to drive thru possibly winding uphill steep and downhill steep roads getting to and from Dollywood. I'd be happy to see the mountains form the bottom

Oh by the way, I did ask in my O.p. what driving in the mountains is like, because i thought Dollywood and the area nearby were in the Smoky Mountains. But I also wanted to know in case I encountered any mountains how they were, so Im trying to get a general feel of the road, since I never drove in any kind of steep roads.
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