Fly from TYS, or drive to Atlanta or Nashville?
Only drive if you'll save more than the gas, parking and your time.
Big airports often have cheaper fares, but they're a long way from Knoxville. Put in your real prices below to see which way costs less.
How far each airport is from downtown Knoxville
- McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
- 13.6 miles, about 20 minutes
- Nashville International (BNA)
- 172 miles, about 2 hr 40 minUsually 2 hr 28 min to 3 hr 2 min each way. Nashville is on Central time, one hour behind Knoxville.
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)
- 222 miles, about 3 hr 30 minUsually 3 hr 14 min to 4 hr 6 min each way. Traffic around Atlanta can add a lot of time.
Drive times from Google Maps, checked October 28, 2026.
Work out the real cost
TYS parking starts at $13 a day in the economy lots (airport rates checked October 28, 2026). Gas is figured for the round trip from downtown Knoxville.
Common questions
How far is Knoxville from the Atlanta airport?
About 222 miles from downtown Knoxville, usually 3 hr 14 min to 4 hr 6 min each way depending on traffic.
How far is Knoxville from the Nashville airport?
About 172 miles from downtown Knoxville, usually 2 hr 28 min to 3 hr 2 min each way. Nashville is on Central time, an hour behind Knoxville.
When is it worth driving to a bigger airport?
When the fare savings for your whole group are bigger than the gas, parking and the extra hours on the road. Saving $50 a ticket for one person usually isn't worth a 5-hour round-trip drive. Saving $200 a ticket for a family of four often is.