Is It Hard To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

VERAVISE OUTDOOR LIVING VERAVISE OUTDOOR LIVING Dashed Trail Plus Learn more

Driving through the Smokies can be an intimidating prospect for first-time visitors. After all, this is a mountain range whose peaks reach well over 6,000 feet!

Dashed Trail Dashed Trail Learn more

But despite its altitude and rugged terrain, driving through it doesn’t have to be a difficult or intimidating experience.

Terrain Map Learn more

Is It Hard To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

[{"selector":"#anim-c4c0f2aa-85ea-4066-80e2-cf7fde487ec7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The answer is both yes and no: while there are certainly aspects of driving through this majestic mountain range that can be challenging, but with proper preparation and knowledge you can make your journey much easier. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-75471600-5ad2-4c42-9437-899720912df2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Smoky Mountains have a total of 384 miles of road. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are well maintained, making them suitable for standard passenger cars. Learn more

However, due to their winding nature and low shoulders, driving through these mountains can present some unique challenges. Learn more

How Much Does It Cost To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

[{"selector":"#anim-d3faf61b-ba6f-4116-9c02-d8a7eb2f66b3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It's FREE! But, starting March 1, 2023, drivers will be required to get parking tags for any vehicle that stays in the park longer than 15 min. Dashed Trail Dashed Trail Learn more

Three tag durations are available for purchase depending on the length of your stay:

[{"selector":"#anim-60839dcb-41da-461c-a671-37dafd9bc394","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6831a2d5-b242-4682-8079-56c096fc821a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e072ce97-ce63-4bf0-ac15-0fdc9fbd4b70","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dashed Trail Dashed Trail Learn more

How long does it take to drive through the Smoky Mountains?

[{"selector":"#anim-44f253a1-3dfa-4d39-a91c-38b7719f2ab8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Depending on your speed and route, it can take anywhere from two to six hours to make the journey. Learn more

Is There a scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains?

[{"selector":"#anim-7589d48d-beac-4199-8a00-7dc9a4368112 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.8461538461538507%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fee5400-904d-4089-b3ff-28f3eb370d50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yes, there is a stunningly beautiful scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yes, there is a stunningly beautiful scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Learn more

Best Scenic Drives

[{"selector":"#anim-33f84564-1d38-43b4-adb0-2fd8553e5cb1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16bb384f-6566-466f-bde8-4d12ce2921e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07fb0988-34a6-4ac8-a80b-970946d0aaec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5e2ac7a-06c1-4f48-ba84-a137022af6c7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9443d0f2-d5da-4478-84ce-9f4d3b14de52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d71ac4e6-10e0-4323-9cb4-6ec9e3262ccd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3367637c-41f8-4a53-b2e7-faac7368cbb0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b71fce07-9d4c-41d8-850c-385d5c9920d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-550564f4-7656-496f-b915-691d6372da64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ccfa823-d66c-4455-a656-bc278296a33e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2100,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54258fd0-6ff7-48e0-9f48-55dffb4978ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2100,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4d8b58b-f343-4436-82cf-5bd0404cd7dc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a143290-93d5-49ce-827b-715ea5f453a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 1. Cades Cove Loop 2. Cataloochee Valley 3. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Learn more

Get This Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary!

Terrain Map Plan a stress free scenic drive through the Smokies... Get Yours Now!

Seasonal Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

[{"selector":"#anim-e6d6b9c5-f620-446c-93f0-3771ec10e72e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-253bd077-bcff-497c-9b74-1a0617a19323","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74d11034-fa6d-4347-b30d-2ad95d3ae65d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5706aac-73c7-4913-b667-4a2872b50d5e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dashed Trail Next Learn more

Is It Hard To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

Is It Hard To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

Driving through the Smokies can be an intimidating prospect for first-time visitors. After all, this is a mountain range whose peaks reach well over 6,000 feet!

But despite its altitude and rugged terrain, driving through it doesn’t have to be a difficult or intimidating experience.

Is It Hard To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

How Much Does It Cost To Drive Through The Smoky Mountains?

Three tag durations are available for purchase depending on the length of your stay:

DAILY TAG

Weekly tag

Annual tag

$5

$15

$40

How long does it take to drive through the Smoky Mountains?

Is There a scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains?

Best Scenic Drives

Get This Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary!

Seasonal Hiking in the Smoky Mountains