Tired of I-40? Here's how to get from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on backroads

We love Interstate 40, but let's be honest, it's been a rough year for closures and traffic. When you're heading toward the Smokies from Knoxville, sometimes taking I-40 gets a little old (and crowded).

Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are some of the most popular destinations in Tennessee to visit during the summer for vacation, especially for those living in Knoxville.

With that in mind, there are several alternative routes to reach our popular vacation and retreat locations without having to travel I-40.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R14ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R24ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

For your trip planning, we've used Pigeon Forge as the primary arrival destination.

Chapman Highway/441 from Knoxville into Pigeon Forge

This route starts in South Knoxville and offers beautiful rural and mountains views, passing through Seymour before arriving in Pigeon Forge. It's not a highway (there are stoplights), but it's a multilane road that moves quickly.

The drive will take approximately an hour, covering a distance of 29.6 miles.

US-70 E and Great Smoky Mountains Parkway to Pigeon Forge

This route will take you east out of Knoxville north on Broadway to Magnolia Avenue/Asheville Highway (known as US 70).Take 139 E/Douglas Dam Roadsouth inSevier County to the scenic Great Smoky Mountains Parkway alongside the Little Pigeon River.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

It's a pretty ride stretching roughly 36 miles with about an hour and 21 minutes of travel time.

Alcoa Highway through Maryville to Townsend

This route will provide the backcountry experience you're looking for as you leave Knoxville heading south into Alcoa and Maryville on Alcoa Highway (129). Take Lamar Alexander Parkway (321) through the foothills just into Townsend and follow the road into scenic Wears Valley (it's called Wears Valley Road on this stretch).

This route is longer than the previous route at 48 miles, but it's a stunning 1 hour and 18 minutes.

Part of the fun of arriving in the Great Smoky Mountains is taking in the views. These routes help you soak it up.

Myron Thompson reports on public safety for Knox News. Email: [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Alternate routes from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg that avoid I-40