Getting to Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg is safe and open to all visitors
Gatlinburg is grateful our community was unaffected by the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and that roads are clear for travel throughout our immediate area and remains fully accessible. Our hearts go out to our friends in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina who were affected with severe flooding. Many Gatlinburg businesses, attractions, and organizations are offering giveback opportunities to visitors this season. By visiting, you are helping. We thank our visitors for their warm generosity and welcome them for a Smoky Mountain fall. Resources including current road closures, and alternate routes to Gatlinburg can be found below.
Current Tennessee Road Closures
Interstates I-80, I-75 and I-65 are OPEN for travel.
Currently, I-40 and I-26 are closed ONLY at the Tennessee/North Carolina border in both directions.
I-40 closed from mile marker 440 in TN to mile marker 3 in NC
I-26 closed from mile marker 39 in TN to NC state line.
US 441/Newfound Gap Road is OPEN 24 hours a day
As always, Newfound Gap Rd is closed to ALL commercial vehicles
For the latest updates and current conditions for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit GSMNP website.
Driving Directions to Gatlinburg
If you’re planning to visit Gatlinburg, there are plenty of routes to get you here. For those visiting Gatlinburg from areas impacted by road closures, you will find the best route from your city below using Google Maps which provides the quickest, safest routes to Gatlinburg. We encourage all of our visitors to stay safe and not drive through affected areas, but instead use an alternate route to get here.
Driving Directions from Popular Cities
Google Driving Directions & Distance
Driving times are only an estimate and may be affected by road closures or route changes.
| Departing City |
Time |
Miles |
| Asheville, NC |
1 Hour – 54 min |
90 |
| Atlanta, GA |
3 Hours – 53 min |
197 |
| Baton Rouge, LA |
10 Hours – 41 min |
699 |
| Birmingham, AL |
4 Hours – 49 min |
298 |
| Bristol, TN |
1 Hour – 39 min |
102 |
| Charlotte, NC |
3 Hours – 57 min |
219 |
| Chattanooga, TN |
2 Hours – 41 min |
153 |
| Cherokee, NC |
1 Hour |
35 |
| Chicago, IL |
9 Hours – 23 min |
581 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
4 Hours – 59 min |
297 |
| Columbus, OH |
6 Hours – 32 min |
397 |
| Dayton, OH |
5 Hours – 42 min |
344 |
| Greenville, SC |
2 Hours – 53 min |
143 |
| Huntsville, AL |
4 Hours – 20 min |
253 |
| Departing City |
Time |
Miles |
| Indianapolis, IN |
6 Hours – 29 min |
398 |
| Jackson, MS |
8 Hours – 18 min |
537 |
| Johnson City, TN |
1 hour – 31 min |
94 |
| Knoxville, TN |
1 Hour |
42 |
| Lexington, KY |
3 Hour – 38 min |
212 |
| Louisville, KY |
4 Hours – 45 min |
286 |
| Memphis, TN |
6 Hours – 47 min |
432 |
| Montgomery, AL |
6 Hours – 5 min |
385 |
| Nashville, TN |
3 Hours – 41 min |
222 |
| New Orleans, LA |
9 Hours – 54 min |
642 |
| Orlando, FL |
10 Hours – 19 min |
631 |
| Roanoke, VA |
4 Hours – 19 min |
261 |
| St. Louis, MO |
8 Hours – 23 min |
327 |
| Tampa, FL |
10 Hours – 39 min |
698 |
