Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains: Road Trip Guide & Distance

486.9 miles 783.6 km · straight line
583 miles actual route 938.3 km · driving distance
11h 17min estimated drive time
$56 - $69 estimated fuel cost
~1h 29min flight time
151° SSE bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Great Smoky Mountains?

The distance from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains is 486.9 miles (783.6 km) as the crow flies. Great Smoky Mountains is located SSE of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 583 miles, taking about 11h 17min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 29min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chicago and Great Smoky Mountains. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Chicago to Great Smoky Mountains

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 11h 17min $56 - $69 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 29min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~13h 32min $47–$87* Budget
Train ~10h 43min $70–$204* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Great Smoky Mountains

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Great Smoky Mountains
35.61°N, 83.49°W
America/New_York
2025m elevation
Explore more routes from Great Smoky Mountains

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 162 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 41 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 51.1 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM