Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from ATL
Atlanta to Gatlinburg and the Smokies RV Road Trip
North from Atlanta through the North Georgia mountains to Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Atlanta to Gatlinburg by RV is about 207 miles and about 5 hours of driving via Tiger, Cherokee. This round trip covers 414 miles in 5 nights (6 days): Gatlinburg and the Smokies (3 nights), then back to Atlanta. Best months: Apr–Oct. In season now · best Apr–Oct.
At a glance
- Trip length
- 5 nights · 6 days
- Route
- Atlanta → Gatlinburg → Atlanta · 414 mi · about 10 hours driving
- Longest driving day
- About 5 hours
- Arrive and depart
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- RV pickup and return
- Atlanta area (rental listings around Atlanta)
- Overnights
- Mt. Airy, GA → Gatlinburg and the Smokies → Atlanta (near the airport and RV return)
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.
Route map and itinerary
Day by day
Day 1 Arrive in Atlanta and pick up your RV
Experience
Land at ATL, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.
Getting there
After pickup: about 2 hours · 83 mi to Mt. Airy, GA. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.
Your stay: 1 night
Along the routeLake Russell Recreation AreaMt. Airy, GA · about 10 min to Mt. Airy, GA (estimate) · 4.0★ (95)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; site length not listed (ask the campground); full hookups listed; 4.0★ from 95 reviews.Change or extend:Compare 2 other campgrounds
- Along the routeLula Disc HouseLula, GA · about 20 min to Mt. Airy, GA (estimate)Site length not listed: ask the campground
- Along the routeDon Carter State ParkGainesville, GA · about 20 min to Mt. Airy, GA (estimate)Site length not listed: ask the campground
Day 2 Drive to Gatlinburg and the Smokies
Experience
Three nights by Gatlinburg give time for Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove and a waterfall hike.
Getting there
about 3 hours · 124 mi
Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 5)
Inside the parkCades Cove CampgroundTownsend, TN · inside the park · 4.0★ (2369)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 42 ft; 4.0★ from 2,369 reviews.Change or extend: Add a night here in the plannerCompare 3 other campgrounds
- Inside the parkSmokemont CampgroundCherokee, NC · inside the park · 4.0★ (1558)Lists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits
- Inside the parkCosby CampgroundCosby, TN · inside the park · 5.0★ (807)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits
- Inside the parkCataloochee CampgroundWaynesville, NC · inside the park · 5.0★ (380)Lists sites up to 34 ft; confirm your site fits
Getting around Gatlinburg
From Cades Cove Campground: you're inside the park.
Driving the RV- Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
ShuttlesWe don't have verified shuttle information for Gatlinburg; check the park or town's official site.
Activities with pickupLoading activities…
Other local transport- Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.
Day 3 Gatlinburg and the Smokies: explore
Experience
Three nights by Gatlinburg give time for Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove and a waterfall hike.
Travel today
No campground change today; local travel is additional.
Your stay
Stay a second night at Cades Cove Campground · same site, no packing up
Day 4 Gatlinburg and the Smokies: explore
Experience
A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.
Travel today
No campground change today; local travel is additional.
Your stay
Stay a third night at Cades Cove Campground · same site, no packing up
Day 5 Drive back toward Atlanta
Experience
Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.
Getting there
about 5 hours · 207 mi
Your stay: 1 night
Near the airportSweetwater Creek RV ReserveAustell, GA · about 30 min from the RV return area · 3.3★ (29)Why stay here: About 30 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 50 ft; full hookups listed; 3.3★ from 29 reviews.Change or extend:Compare 2 other campgrounds
- Near the airportStone Mountain ParkStone Mountain, GA · about 40 min from the RV return area · 4.3★ (166)Site length not listed: ask the campground
- Near the airportAtlanta South RV ResortMc Donough, GA · about 35 min from the RV return areaSite length not listed: ask the campground
Day 6 Return the RV and fly home from ATL
Experience
Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.
Getting there
Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.
Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.
RV pickup and return
Pick up and return the RV in the Atlanta area. Day 1 allows time to get from ATL to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Mt. Airy, GA. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.
Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 414 miles.
Before you go
- The park has no entrance fee, but a paid parking tag is required to park more than 15 minutes inside it.
- Cades Cove Loop is narrow and slow; large RVs are better left at camp.
- October fall-color weekends are very busy in Gatlinburg.
Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Hours & seasons
Atlanta to Gatlinburg and the Smokies by RV: common questions
How far is it from Atlanta to Gatlinburg?
Atlanta to Gatlinburg is about 207 miles, roughly about 5 hours of driving via Tiger, Cherokee without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 414 miles.
How many days do you need for Atlanta to gatlinburg and the smokies by RV?
Plan on 5 nights (6 days): Gatlinburg and the Smokies (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 5 hours.
When is the best time to go?
Apr–Oct. The park has no entrance fee, but a paid parking tag is required to park more than 15 minutes inside it.
Where can you camp with an RV?
Suggested RV campgrounds near Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains include Cades Cove Campground, Smokemont Campground, Cosby Campground. Inside the park: Cades Cove Campground, Smokemont Campground, Cosby Campground, Cataloochee Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.
Can you rent an RV near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport?
Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Atlanta. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.