Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip: Drive time, distance & stops
The best road trip stops on the Chicago to Pigeon Forge drive are Indianapolis, Louisville and Knoxville. The distance from Chicago to Pigeon Forge is 576 miles, with a 9h15m driving time.
Planning a Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip itinerary
A Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip takes you from the biggest city in Illinois to a Great Smoky Mountains holiday town in Tennessee.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Pigeon Forge is popular because of its close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the US. But so many attractions have built up around the resort town that it’s now much more than a gateway.
Most famous of these is Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, but there’s also the Titanic Museum, the Beyond The Lens interactive museum and the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster.
Other Pigeon Forge experiences include small group jeep tours in the mountains, guided ATV adventures and wine plus moonshine tours.
Pigeon Forge is also known for its evening shows, whether Elvis tributes, Motown performances, lumberjack feuds or country music extravaganzas.
Chicago to Pigeon Forge distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Chicago to Pigeon Forge is 576 miles. That makes for a driving time of around nine hours and 15 minutes. The quickest route goes along the I-65, I-64, I-75, I-40 and US-441.
The best stops on a Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip itinerary are Indianapolis, Louisville and Knoxville.
For more suggestions, check out the guides to the individual Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip legs.
Best stops between Chicago and Pigeon Forge: Indianapolis
The capital of Indiana marries big city energy with country charm.
Top attractions in Indianapolis include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Worthwhile Indianapolis experiences include a Fountain Square food tour and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.
Chicago to Pigeon Forge drive: Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the biggest city in Kentucky, and has a strong range of attractions to enjoy. The Louisville Mega Cavern has underground zipline tours, the Churchill Downs race track hosts America’s most famous horse race – the Kentucky Derby – and the Louisville Slugger Factory makes the world’s most famous baseball bats. You can take factory tours and there’s a museum attached.
Good Louisville experiences include Old Louisville ghost tours, the Kentucky Derby Museum and a tasting tour of multiple bourbon distilleries. The food and history tours are also worth checking out.
Top Louisville accommodation choices include the history-drenched Brown Hotel and the art-packed 21C Museum Hotel.
Why you should visit the Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum isn’t just about the nation’s top horse race – it’s about the phenomenon that surrounds it. Museum entry tickets include the chance to see the trophies, learn the backstories of famous winners and watch an immersive theater screening. Best of all, they also include a walking tour of the Churchill Downs Racetrack. Find out more here.
David Whitley, author of Best3Stops.
Chicago to Pigeon Forge road trip attractions: Knoxville TN
Highlights of Knoxville include World’s Fair Park, which hosted the 1982 World’s Fair. The often-dazzling Sunsphere is the major landmark, here. You can also visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and Knoxville Museum of Art.
Other Knoxville experiences include ghost tours and downtown walking tours that pick out local secret spots, while serving up coffee and ice cream.
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More Pigeon Forge road trips
Asheville to Pigeon Forge | Atlanta to Pigeon Forge | Chattanooga to Pigeon Forge | Memphis to Pigeon Forge | Nashville to Pigeon Forge.