Need advice for travelling in Knoxville, TN

[lunalibre]

Hi folks,

This summer I'll be driving with my family from Destin, FL up through Knoxville. Our eventual destination is north of Sevierville, where we have an annual family reunion. Usually we're driving from Nashville and can leave early enough in the day to stay on I-40 all the way through Knoxville and just deal with the traffic. However, MapQuest says it's a 9 hour drive from Destin to Knoxville. I doubt I can get my ILs out of the condo any earlier than 8am, which will put us hitting I-40 east of Knoxville between 4-5pm EST. I know the traffic then will be HORRIBLE.

My question is...would we be better off dealing with the traffic and construction on I-40, or should we bail off I-40 onto 333, go north on 129 to 441, then take 441 back to I-40 east of Knoxville? The second, roundabout route is obviously farther, but given how bad the traffic is with all the folks headed east to the Smokies, would it be faster?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Piglet'sPal]

Right now (and for the next 14 months or so) a small portion of I-40 through downtown KNoxville is shut down. So, if you decide to stay on I-40, you will actually have to detour onto I-640, which is the Knoxville bypass and then you will pick I-40 back up and continue to go east until you reach the Sevierville exit (407, I think). However, if you are not going to be coming through until around rush hour, I-640 will be fairly heavy. So, it is probably not a bad idea to take 129 (Alcoa Highway) off of I-40, then take the exit to John Sevier Highway (can't remember the road number). THis will take you to 441 (Chapman Highway). You can then take this all the way into Sevierville. That is probably the best way to go to avoid traffic.