Tennessee 🇺🇸 offers fantastic RV road trips with Appalachian Mountains, scenic rivers, waterfalls, music heritage cities, and historic Civil War sites. The state stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, providing a wide range of landscapes.
Here are several great RV road trip ideas across Tennessee.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Route
4
Route:
Gatlinburg → Great Smoky Mountains National Park → Clingmans Dome → Townsend
Distance: ~60 miles
Ideal length: 2–3 days
Highlights
- America’s most visited national park
- Spectacular mountain views
- Wildlife like black bears and elk
- Scenic drives through the Smokies
RV Stops
- Elkmont Campground
- Townsend / Great Smokies KOA
2. Blue Ridge & Appalachian Scenic Drive
4
Route:
Tellico Plains → Cherohala Skyway → Robbinsville
Distance: ~40 miles
Ideal length: 1–2 days
Highlights
- One of the most scenic drives in the Southeast
- High mountain overlooks
- Forest landscapes in the Cherokee National Forest
- Excellent fall foliage
RV Stops
- Indian Boundary Campground
- Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground
3. Nashville Music Heritage Route
4
Route:
Nashville → Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum → Grand Ole Opry
Distance: ~20 miles
Ideal length: 1–2 days
Highlights
- Country music history
- Honky-tonk bars on Broadway
- Live concerts and shows
- Famous music venues
RV Stops
- Nashville KOA Resort
- Two Rivers Campground
4. Chattanooga & Tennessee River Route
4
Route:
Chattanooga → Lookout Mountain → Ruby Falls
Distance: ~30 miles
Ideal length: 1–2 days
Highlights
- Scenic views from Lookout Mountain
- Underground waterfall at Ruby Falls
- Tennessee River waterfront
- Outdoor recreation and hiking
RV Stops
- Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA
- Raccoon Mountain Caverns Campground
5. Memphis Blues & Mississippi River Route
4
Route:
Memphis → Graceland → Beale Street
Distance: ~20 miles
Ideal length: 1–2 days
Highlights
- Birthplace of blues and rock music
- Historic music clubs on Beale Street
- Home of Elvis Presley at Graceland
- Scenic Mississippi River views
RV Stops
- Graceland RV Park
- Tom Sawyer’s RV Park
6. Ultimate Tennessee Scenic Loop
4
Route:
Knoxville → Great Smoky Mountains → Chattanooga → Nashville → Memphis → Knoxville
Distance: ~700 miles
Ideal length: 7–9 days
Highlights
- Appalachian mountain scenery
- Music heritage cities
- Mississippi River landscapes
- Waterfalls, forests, and scenic highways
✅ Quick Comparison
| Trip | Best For | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Mountains | National park scenery | 2–3 days |
| Cherohala Skyway | Mountain scenic drive | 1–2 days |
| Nashville | Country music history | 1–2 days |
| Chattanooga | Mountains & waterfalls | 1–2 days |
| Memphis | Blues & rock history | 1–2 days |
| Ultimate TN Loop | Best of the state | 7–9 days |