Towing through the smokies

[Pushin4u]

Planned a trip to Yogi in the Smokies this June. What I'm wondering is if we should follow all the GPS and google maps sending me through the smokies on U.S 441 or should I take U.S 40 around the Smoky Mountain National Park? Never been to the Smokies so I don't know what to expect... Am I going to burn up my trans going though the park?

[Camper2b]

I've been through there several times... beautiful ride, however, lots of tight turns, ups and downs on 441 to Cherokee. Can't comment on the other routes. We did it in a car. Our rig would have done it, but not without pucker factor.. if ya know what I mean. busses do it.. taking folks from Gatlinburg to Cherokee to the casinos.....

[Pushin4u]

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure The wife would leave claw... I mean hand prints from looking down!

[3wheeler]

I don't believe I would subject my truck to 441 if I didn't have too. Its a hard, long, twisty pull. Not to mention its usually bumper to bumper stop and go that time of year. It is a nice drive if you wanna take a day while your there and check it out. I-40 would be better although there are some good pulls on it also but at least its interstate and not too bad curvy. I don't know what your gps or mapquest or google is telling you, but I would stay on 40 till I got to the smoky mountain expressway. Its a 4-lane highway that'll take you right by cherokee and keep you off of US 19 which is a curvy 2-lane road that takes you through Maggie Valley.

[Pushin4u]

Thanks 3wheeler!!! Both Google and Magellan take me 40 outta severville to 66 south to 441 through the park to Cherokee. If would guess, I would take 40 to 256 south to 19.... Right? Thanks for the honest help!!!!

[3wheeler]

No. I would stay on 40 till you get to the exit for 23/74 Smoky Mountain Expressway. I think its exit 27 IIRC. Its a 4-lane highway. Once you get off 40 on to the expressway, your a little less than an hour from cherokee. If you take 19, its a curvy 2-lane that takes you through the country. I'm not saying you couldn't take 19, I'm just sayin the expressway would be easier and probably faster.
Oh, if you like down home country cooking, drive over to dillsboro and eat at "The Jarret House." There's also a train ride you can take in Bryson City. It takes you by the train wreckage from the movie "The Fugitive."

[Pushin4u]

I see what you mean... That doesn't seem bad at all!!! We planned on a train ride, got twin 5 year old boys... I will defineitly check out The Jarret House...Good grits??? I thank you for the info!

[3wheeler]

You are welcome. I live about 2.5 hours from Cherokee. We vacationed up there the whole time I was growing up. My parents had a 2 bedroom cabin just outside of town in Bryson City. We used to RV up there before we built the cabin.

[Pushin4u]

Excellent, we are coming down to see our old neighbors that moved to Dacula, GA. They also have twin boys 11 yrs old... Something in the water up here! First trip out east and the suggestions to me from a relative "local" are priceless!!! Thank you again