Smokies Drive-Down -- May 21, 2026

Day Route

East Peoria → White Castle Plainfield → Buc-ee's Richmond → Cabin

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Departure

East Peoria, IL

10:00 AM CT

Depart 10:00 AM CT

Full tank from home. Head east on I-74 -- first stop is White Castle in Plainfield, IN at the SR-267 interchange.

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Stop 1

White Castle -- Plainfield, IN

Purpose Food (sliders, quick stretch)

Drive Time ~2 hr 15 min from East Peoria

Est. Arrival ~12:15 PM CT

Running Miles ~150 mi

Location 960 N Green St, Plainfield, IN -- I-74 & SR-267 interchange

Right on I-74 at the SR-267 interchange -- no exit detour needed. Early slider stop before the long push through Indianapolis and on south.

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Stop 2 ⭐

Buc-ee's Richmond, KY

Buc-ee's

Purpose Snacks, stretch -- the main Kentucky Buc-ee's hit

Address 1013 Buc-ee's Blvd, Richmond, KY 40475 (I-75 Exit 83)

Drive Time ~1 hr 45 min from Louisville

Est. Arrival ~5:00 PM CT

120 fuel pumps. Load up on snacks, brisket, Beaver Nuggets. This is the refuel-and-reset stop before the final push.

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Final Destination

Wears Valley Cabin

Arrived

Purpose Check in, unload, relax

GPS Wears Valley, TN

Drive Time ~2 hr 40 min from Richmond, KY

Est. Arrival ~9:45 PM ET

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▶ https://youtu.be/UXmKTW2M2Tc?si=gL6lBisRuhMUfWVA&t=141

Full Timeline (CT unless noted)

Time	Leg
10:00 AM CT	Depart East Peoria, IL -- I-74 E
~12:15 PM CT	White Castle, Plainfield IN -- sliders (~30 min)
~5:00 PM CT	⭐ Buc-ee's Richmond, KY (I-75 Exit 83)
~9:45 PM ET	Wears Valley Cabin -- ARRIVED

Optional Stops

Club Car Wash -- Peoria, IL

Car Wash

Address 10400 N Centerway Dr, Peoria, IL

When Pre-departure -- near home

Hit this before leaving -- subscription car wash near home.

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Club Car Wash -- Bloomington, IL

Car Wash

Address 2702 E Oakland Ave, Bloomington, IL

When ~50 miles in on I-74

On-route option if skipping the Peoria wash.

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Costco -- Farragut / Knoxville, TN

Shopping / Gas

Address 10745 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37934

When On I-40 passing through Knoxville (west side)

Store closes 8:30 PM ET weekdays -- timing likely too late on drive-in. Gas station open until 10 PM ET. Better as a day trip from the cabin.

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Route Summary

East Peoria, IL ↓ I-74 E direct Plainfield, IN -- White Castle (sliders) ↓ I-74 E → Indianapolis → I-65 S → I-75 S Richmond, KY -- BUC-EE'S ⭐ ↓ I-75 S → Knoxville → I-40 E → Wears Valley Rd Wears Valley Cabin

Built for May 21, 2026 · 10:00 AM departure · Tap Waze buttons on your phone · Carmen's route · Skippy Portal