Knoxville, Tennessee — Several affordable road trips within a day’s drive of Knoxville offer spring break escapes for students attending the University of Tennessee and families across eastern Tennessee.
With tens of thousands of students studying at the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus, nearby destinations throughout Tennessee and the Southeast provide travel opportunities that often require only a few hours on the road, according to regional tourism agencies.
One of the most popular drives heads southeast to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located just over an hour from Knoxville. The park offers scenic mountain drives, wildlife viewing and hundreds of miles of hiking trails across one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
Students also frequently travel southwest to Chattanooga, where visitors explore the Tennessee River waterfront, Lookout Mountain and attractions such as Ruby Falls and Rock City.
Another common getaway is Asheville, North Carolina, a mountain city known for the Blue Ridge Parkway, art districts and the historic Biltmore Estate, America’s largest privately owned home.
Travelers looking for waterfalls and rugged scenery often head to Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States.
Farther north, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park offers scenic overlooks and hiking trails along the historic mountain pass once used by early American settlers.
Knoxville’s location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains places national parks, mountain towns and scenic highways within reach of a manageable road trip.
For younger travelers and college students balancing tight budgets, these destinations provide opportunities to explore the Appalachian region while staying within driving distance of the University of Tennessee campus.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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