A Guide for Traveling from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg
If you’re visiting Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, you’re likely going to visit the other city at some point during your trip! Each city has unique draws, which makes people want to experience both while they’re in town. But what is it really like traveling between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg? We’re here to tell you, and give you some tips for the road!
How far is Pigeon Forge from Gatlinburg?
The first thing people want to know is how far away the two cities are from each other. They’re actually pretty close! The distance is about 7.5 miles driving from the Pigeon Forge Parkway to the Gatlinburg Strip. Most people use US-411, and this road is referred to as “The Spur” by locals. It follows along the terrain of the mountain, making it a beautiful drive.
How long does it take to get from one city to the other?
If you’ve visited the area before, you probably know that during the height of tourist season, traffic can be fairly heavy. When there are so many people coming to the Smokies, it can take quite a while to get from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg. It could be anywhere from 20 minutes all the way to over an hour depending on the time of day.
During the off season, traffic isn’t as heavy, making the trip between the towns quicker. It’s possible to make the trip in about 17 minutes.
Of course, there’s a back road you could take if you don’t mind a scenic route and about 45 minutes added to your commute. To use this route, you would take Upper Middle Creek Road to Birds Creek Road to Highway 321.
How to travel from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg
If you’re trying to decide how you want to go from city to city, you have plenty of options! They include:
Car
You can always drive yourself by car, whether it’s your personal one or a rental. In Pigeon Forge, every business has parking lots where you are able to park for free. However, in Gatlinburg, the downtown area is designed for walking. While some businesses have small parking lots, it’s better to park in a parking garage where you pay, and then walk to where you want to go.
Ride Sharing or Taxis
If you personally don’t want to drive from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge or vice versa, you could use a ride sharing app or hire a taxi. You wouldn’t have to worry about finding parking in Gatlinburg, and you can enjoy the scenery as you make your way from city to city!
Some popular taxi services in the area include Angels Taxi, Cruze Cab, and Funkmaster V’s Uptown Cabs. Of course, you can always hitch a ride with your favorite ride sharing app, like Uber or Lyft.
Trolley
Don’t mind taking your time to get from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge? Then you may want to consider using the trolley system! Both cities have trolleys that will transport people all over the cities for a small fee.
This transportation system was established in 1986, and thousands of people take advantage of it while they’re in town. There are more than 30 trolleys that run from Sevierville to Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, getting you virtually anywhere you want to go!
This transportation frees you up to really take in everything the area has to offer instead of you having to navigate and figure out where you’re going. Just know that you’ll have to make frequent stops and possibly switch trolleys depending on where you want to go, which could make your transit time up to an hour.
Now you’re more prepared for your upcoming trip to the Smoky Mountains! You know how to travel from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, but what will you do when you get there? Check out these exciting attractions in the Smoky Mountains for some ideas!
