There and Back Again: Boone to Knoxville
Journey the Great Smoky Grand across North Carolina and Tennessee
Backroads transport us to the places in between. This regularly occurring feature written by the Backroad Portfolio staff takes you to and from two southeastern destinations via winding rural roads lined with rustic country stores, captivating overlooks, natural hot springs, and majestic waterfalls. Take one route there and another back to experience two unique journeys.
Our summer excursion travels down rural North Carolina and Tennessee backroads mapped out by two brothers, Chris and Bryan Shugg. Inspired by a Michigan-based driving tour for auto enthusiasts organized by their uncle, the brothers created the Great Smoky Grand. We’ve added stops along the way we think you’ll love.
Start your journey in beautiful Boone, North Carolina, then end the first half of your trip in Knoxville, Tennessee’s pastoral suburbs. The drive to Knoxville takes approximately four hours and thirty-six minutes, while the return trip back to Boone takes different roads in exactly the sa…