Foothills Parkway // Tennessee
Car rental for the Foothills Parkway
17 miles of south-facing Smokies, smooth pavement, no trucks, no stop signs. Top down is the right answer.
Explore the current cars
Quick answer
These current cars are recommended for a scenic Smoky Mountains drive. Compare seating and transmission for your route. Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling.
Key facts
- Western section (Walland to Chilhowee)
- about 17 miles · fully paved · no commercial traffic
- Missing Link completed
- Nov 2018: 33 continuous western miles
- From TYS
- ~25 min · 18 miles to Walland entrance
- From Maryville
- ~15 min · 10 miles
- Best season
- Year-round; spring and fall for best light
- Speed limit
- 35–45 mph
- Current vehicles listed
- 6
- Pickup
- Maryville or TYS airport delivery
- Pricing
- Choose trip dates and times on a vehicle page
Best cars for this road
See full fleet →Compare prices for your dates
6 current options. Enter your trip times once, then choose a vehicle to check availability.
Earliest pickup: today at 2:30 PM ET.
Estimates include rental taxes. Optional extras and airport exit parking are separate. Your dates carry through to the vehicle page.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 30th Anniversary
2 seats · Manual · RWD · Convertible
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2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Base
5 seats · Automatic · 4WD
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2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams
5 seats · Automatic · 4WD
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2014 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
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2017 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0
4 seats · Manual · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →Ready to request a trip? You'll create an account, verify your email and phone, and provide your driver's license, a selfie and insurance details before submitting. A request is reviewed before your booking is confirmed.
Need help with seating, luggage or pickup? Ask us before you book.
What the Foothills Parkway is
The Foothills Parkway is one of the least-known drives in the region and one of the best. It was proposed as a scenic corridor around the entire perimeter of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but only parts were ever built. The Walland-to-Chilhowee leg has carried traffic since 1968; in 2018 the long-delayed 'Missing Link' connected Walland to Wears Valley, creating a continuous 33-mile western parkway.
The 17-mile Walland-to-Chilhowee stretch is the one worth making a trip for. It runs along a ridge on the south face of the Smokies with the mountains visible the entire route. No commercial traffic, no traffic lights, no driveways: just a two-lane parkway with pull-offs at every meaningful viewpoint. The speed limit is 35–45 mph, and the pavement is smooth and well-maintained.
The Chilhowee end connects to US-129, which puts you 20 miles from Deals Gap and Tail of the Dragon. Most guests who take the Foothills Parkway are either combining it with the Dragon (20 minutes from the western end) or using it as the final scenic segment of a Smokies day trip.
The broader Eastern section and other access points
There is also a shorter Eastern section of the Foothills Parkway near Cosby, Tennessee, about 6 miles connecting US-321 to I-40 (open since 1968). It's paved and accessible but less dramatic than the western section. Most visitors prioritize the western Walland-to-Chilhowee segment.
The western section's northern terminus is at Chilhowee (elevation ~1,500 feet) and the southern terminus is at Walland, just off US-321. The Walland entrance is the most common starting point coming from TYS. Take US-411 south toward Maryville, then US-321 east toward Townsend, and turn left onto the Parkway at the Walland sign.
Drive times from our pickup points
| From | To | Minutes | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) | Walland (western Foothills Parkway entrance) | 25 | 18 |
| Maryville, TN | Walland (western Foothills Parkway entrance) | 15 | 10 |
| Foothills Parkway western end | Deals Gap (Tail of the Dragon) | 25 | 20 |
| Foothills Parkway eastern end | Cades Cove loop entrance | 20 | 15 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Foothills Parkway the same as Newfound Gap Road?
No. Newfound Gap Road (US-441) goes through the center of GSMNP from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC. It's the main cross-park route. The Foothills Parkway runs along the park's southern perimeter in Tennessee and doesn't enter the park itself. Both are scenic; they serve different routes.
How long does the Foothills Parkway take to drive?
The 17-mile Walland-to-Chilhowee section takes about 30 minutes straight through at the speed limit. With stops at the pull-offs (and there are at least 5–6 worth stopping at), plan 60–90 minutes. The views change meaningfully along the route as the ridge line changes and the Smokies shift behind you.
Is there a fee to drive the Foothills Parkway?
No. The Foothills Parkway is NPS-managed but runs outside the park boundary. There's no entry fee and no America the Beautiful pass required. It's free to drive.
Can I combine the Foothills Parkway with Tail of the Dragon?
Yes. The western end of the Parkway (at Chilhowee) connects directly to US-129, which is Tail of the Dragon's corridor. Deals Gap is 20 miles west of the Parkway terminus. Most guests run the Parkway east-to-west and immediately continue to the Dragon, or run the Dragon and return via the Parkway as the scenic finish.
What's the best time of day for the Foothills Parkway?
Golden hour, the hour before sunset, is the best on the western section. The road faces south-southwest, and the late afternoon sun illuminates the Smokies directly. Morning fog in the valleys gives the ridge a floating-above-clouds quality that's also excellent. Midday is fine but the light is flatter.
How do I see pricing and request a booking?
Open a vehicle and select your trip start and end dates and times to see pricing. A listed vehicle is not a guarantee of availability for your dates. Continue from the vehicle page to submit a booking request.
Where do I collect the car?
Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling. Airport delivery has no separate delivery charge. Customer responsible for airport parking fee upon exit, typically no more than $13
Related
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Convertible rentals
Read the guide and compare current rental options for your trip.
Related
Tail of the Dragon
20 minutes from the Parkway's western end. The natural companion for a Foothills Parkway day.
Related
Cades Cove
The Parkway's eastern end connects to the Townsend road. Cades Cove is 20 minutes from the terminus.
Related
Foothills Parkway driving guide
Full long-form guide: every pull-off, best times, how to combine it with other roads.
Current scenic-road choices