For everyone else except the two rump rangers go the way below. 14 miles of 26 (slab) and you can pick up 208, 212, 209 and so on. Then cut through Maggie Valley and the BRP and come in near Gatlinburg to Townsend. Yea, the last part will be a bit lame with traffic along the river, if you want to skip that head to Franklin from Maggie, have dinner at Cafe Rel then up 26 to the Gap then Townsend.
https://goo.gl/maps/QhXHkKz59wC2