Take a scenic ride through the foothills of eastern Tennessee as we follow Tennessee Route 66 from the crossroads community of Kodak to the bustling gateway town of Sevierville. This 8.5-mile journey along the Winfield Dunn Parkway introduces us to the striking transition between the flatlands of the Tennessee Valley and the rising elevations that signal our approach to the Great Smoky Mountains.
We begin our drive at the busy interchange with Interstate 40, just north of Kodak. This is a familiar launching point for travelers heading into the heart of Tennessee’s famed Smokies. Almost immediately, the character of the road hints at what’s to come. Flanked by modern conveniences like gas stations, restaurants, and large shopping centers, Route 66 — not that Route 66 — starts wide and multi-laned, offering a straight shot southbound. The air feels different here—thicker with anticipation—as weekend vacationers and tour buses join the route, all eyeing their first glimpse of the mountains beyond.
Leaving Kodak proper, the landscape starts to subtly shift. Large retail developments and billboards pepper the roadside, reminding us we’re traveling along one of the busiest tourist corridors in the state. Despite the commercial buzz, the backdrop remains captivating. To our left, the French Broad River meanders close by, mostly out of view but ever present, shaping the land for centuries. To the west, distant ridgelines tease the arrival of the Smokies. Small tributaries and creeks occasionally appear beneath low bridges, evidence of the valley’s rich waterways. Around the halfway point, we notice the increasing density of traffic signals and the occasional roadside attraction—everything from mini-golf courses to dinner shows—popping up with greater frequency.
As we roll southward, Sevierville rises before us, unmistakable with its blend of history and modern tourism. This is the town where country music legend Dolly Parton was born, and her legacy is proudly on display, from the bronze statue on the courthouse lawn to the numerous signs pointing toward Dollywood, just a few miles further south. Here, Route 66’s urban sprawl reaches full bloom. Large hotels, chain restaurants, and family attractions line both sides of the road. The mountains, once distant, now feel near enough to touch. At the intersection with U.S. Highway 441, we reach the heart of Sevierville, the de facto start of the famed Parkway leading into Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This short but dynamic stretch of highway serves as a vivid reminder of Tennessee’s dual identity—where Appalachian wilderness meets commercial Americana. Whether you’re bound for mountaintop adventures or planning to explore the endless entertainment options of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Route 66 acts as the perfect bridge between these worlds, ushering travelers from the mundane rhythms of the interstate to the storied valleys of the Smokies.
🗺️ Route Map
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