NASHVILLE (AP) — As you exit off Interstate 40 for the final 15 miles before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the little voice from the back poses the eternal question: "Are we there yet?"

Not quite. And it may take longer than you expect.

The main route between the interstate and the park — which passes through the resort towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg — is one of the most congested in the state.

Jack Baldwin, police chief in Pigeon Forge, says he's heard horror stories about visitors needing three hours to drive six miles between Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge during special events.

"At times it's a six-lane parking lot," he said.

Guy Jacob, the owner-operator of three wedding chapels in Gatlinburg and a member of the town's Chamber of Commerce, says some visitors don't anticipate how many vehicles are trying to get through.

"We've had wedding guests show up late because they didn't anticipate the traffic," he said.

These are extreme examples and sometimes traffic gets through without much trouble, but there's little doubt it's a popular area. And the tourists keep coming, drawn by mountain vistas and the chance to see black bears.

As many as 45,000 vehicles pass between the interstate and the park daily, according to figures by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

The 500,000-acre park has 9.4 million visitors annually, ranking as the most popular national park. The area accounts for about 20 percent of Tennessee's tourists each year.

Mary Steadman of Blountville, Tenn. is a sales rep who drives to the area up to once a week. She says she's been late to appointments because of the congestion.

"You just can't gauge the traffic," she said.

Rick Laney, a public relations consultant who represents businesses all along the route, says there are some back roads and alternate routes, "but people from outside don't know them."

Visitors coming from the east can take an exit before the main Tenn. 66 one, for instance. Those coming from the west can take I-140 off I-40 and go through Maryville and then into Pigeon Forge.

"It's like when you go to Orlando or any other tourist town; you're going to have traffic you're not accustomed to," Laney says. "No one likes sitting in it, but they do."

And currently, motorists also are confronted by the dreaded orange and white barrels signaling road work. Tenn. 66, between the interstate and Sevierville, is being widened from four lanes to six. That will help eventually, but TDOT warns in its weekly update: "Motorists should expect potential delays and use extreme caution."

Get through that and then it's maneuvering through Pigeon Forge, lined with motels, restaurants, shopping malls, miniature golf courses, go-cart tracks, the Dollywood theme park and tourist attractions on both sides of the road.

"The highway just gets full," Baldwin said. There are three lanes in each direction with a 35 mph speed limit.

"We have accidents like everyone else," he said. "It's mostly just fender benders."

Then once you reach Gatlinburg, it can take 15 minutes during peak times to park or reach your motel.

"People grumble about the traffic, but they still come," Laney says.

Ever the promoter, Baldwin, even in a police uniform, urges people to come on:

"Pigeon Forge loves company."

Even Steadman vacations in the area despite the congestion.

"People love the Smokies too much to let traffic get in the way."