Driving Time between Alpine, Texas and Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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The Great Escape: A Road Trip from Alpine, Texas to Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Are you looking for a road trip that will take you on a journey through the breathtaking sceneries of the Southern United States? Look no further than a drive from Alpine, Texas to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This road trip is full of diverse terrain, from deserts to mountains to green valleys. However, before you set out, here are the fastest and slowest routes, the distances, and the time it will take you based on traffic patterns.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from Alpine, Texas to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a 1,358-mile drive that will take you approximately 20 hours and 45 minutes. The journey starts on US-90 East, goes through San Antonio, then heads northwards on I-35E towards Dallas, before taking I-40 East through Arkansas and Tennessee. The major advantage of this route is that it is one of the most direct routes and will take you to your destination in the shortest time possible. However, it is essential to consider that this route can become congested, particularly around major metropolitan areas.

The Scenic Route

However, the scenic route is along I-10 East, which will take you across four States – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama -, before hooking up with I-75 North towards Gatlinburg. This route may be about 1,860 miles, taking approximately 27 hours, but it is an opportunity to explore some of the most amazing sights in Southern States. While this route takes you to longer to arrive at your destination, it includes a diverse terrain, ranging from deserts, swamps, rolling hills, and mountains.

The Slowest Route

If you crave an adventure with lots of stops and potential side-trips along the way, the slowest route is probably for you. This option involves a road-trip through the scenic drive on US-90 East through El Paso and San Antonio. From there, take TX-71 East towards Houston, turn northeast on I-45, before finally heading east on I-10 towards Mississippi. You would then turn northwards towards Tennessee. Although you would encounter several small towns and cities such as Amarillo, Houston, and Baton Rouge, the journey will take approximately 33 hours, covering about 2,000 miles.

Avoiding Peak Traffic Times

To make this journey easier for you, we suggest several ways to avoid peak traffic times. The best way to avoid heavy traffic is to plan a route that minimizes the time that you spend on busy streets. Typically, peak traffic times to avoid are early morning and late afternoon, from 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM and again from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Here are peak traffic times to avoid for some busy metropolitan areas:

  • Houston: Weekdays, generally around 5 PM.
  • Dallas: Weekdays, between 7:30 AM – 9 AM and 3 PM – 5:45 PM.
  • Memphis: Weekdays between 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM and 4:15 PM – 5:35 PM.
  • Nashville: Weekdays from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM.

With Texas and Tennessee state on either end of your journey, you can expect to encounter different driving conditions throughout your trip, but nothing can beat an adventure-filled road trip, with scenic drives and beautiful scenery. Given all the options, you are free to choose how fast or slow you want your road trip to be. So, pack up your car, and let us help you plan your journey from Alpine, Texas to Gatlinburg, Tennessee!