How Far Is It From Knoxville to Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the Trip

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and planning a quick getaway to Knoxville, Tennessee, the first thing you’ll want to know is: how far is it, and what’s the best way to get there?

Below is a clear rundown of distance, driving routes, travel times, and transportation options tailored specifically to travelers starting in or coming through Atlanta, GA.

The Basic Distance: Knoxville to Atlanta

In simple terms:

• Driving distance: About 200–215 miles
• Direct route: Usually via I-75 North
• Typical driving time: Around 3.5 to 4 hours in normal traffic

The exact distance depends on where you start in metro Atlanta and where you’re going in Knoxville, but most trips fall in the ~210-mile range.

For example:

• From Downtown Atlanta (around Five Points / Peachtree Center) to Downtown Knoxville:
  ≈ 210 miles and 3.5–4 hours by car in fair traffic.
• From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to central Knoxville:
  Slightly less or more depending on your route, but usually in the same 3.5–4 hour window.

Main Driving Route from Atlanta to Knoxville

Standard Route: I-75 North

Most Atlanta travelers use this straightforward route:

1. Leave Atlanta on I-75 North
   • From Downtown Atlanta, connect to I-75/85 and follow I-75 North out of the city.
2. Continue on I-75 North through:
   • Marietta
   • Kennesaw
   • Cartersville
   • Calhoun
   • Dalton
   • Then cross from Georgia into Tennessee, heading through the Chattanooga metro area.
3. Near Chattanooga, you typically:
   • Follow signage that keeps you on the route toward Knoxville (this often involves I-75 North all the way).
4. Stay on I-75 North until you reach the Knoxville area and follow local exits to your final destination.

This is the fastest and most direct route for most people leaving from Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport area.

Quick Distance & Time Overview

*Times assume normal highway conditions without major delays.

How Traffic and Timing Affect Your Trip

From Atlanta, the biggest time swings usually come from local traffic and construction zones rather than pure distance.

Atlanta Outbound Traffic

If you’re starting in Atlanta, consider:

• Weekday morning rush (≈ 6:30–9:00 a.m.)
  • Heavy congestion leaving central areas and the I-75/285 interchanges.
• Weekday evening rush (≈ 4:00–7:00 p.m.)
  • Heavier traffic in all directions; getting out of the city can add 30–60 minutes.
• Game days & big events
  • Events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or major festivals can slow your departure from Downtown and Midtown.

If you want the smoothest exit, many locals aim to:

• 🚗 Leave Atlanta mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays
• ⏰ Avoid Friday late afternoon and Sunday evening, when long-distance highway traffic picks up

Other Ways to Travel Between Knoxville and Atlanta

There is no direct heavy-rail or local transit line from Atlanta to Knoxville, so most travelers rely on cars or intercity buses. Flights are technically possible but rarely the most practical from Atlanta.

1. Driving Your Own Car

For most people in Atlanta, driving yourself is the easiest option:

Pros:

• Full control over departure time and stops
• Convenient if you’re traveling with family, friends, or pets
• Easy to detour to places like Chattanooga, Dalton, or scenic spots along the way

Cons:

• Must handle Atlanta traffic on your own
• You’re responsible for fuel, parking in Knoxville, and potential toll-free but busy interstates

2. Rental Cars from Atlanta

If you’re flying into Hartsfield–Jackson and heading straight to Knoxville, a rental car often makes sense.

Key locations in Atlanta include:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Rental Car Center (ATL SkyTrain accessible)
  2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
  • Ideal if you’re arriving by plane and immediately driving out.
• Major rental agencies also operate in Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter office areas if you’re starting from in-town hotels or offices.

This gives you flexibility while keeping the overall trip time around 3.5–4 hours.

3. Bus Service (Intercity Coaches)

Intercity bus companies regularly run routes that connect Atlanta with Knoxville, often with a transfer or a stop in Chattanooga or nearby cities.

Common patterns include:

• Departures from central Atlanta: Often from bus terminals or curbside locations near the Downtown or Midtown core.
• Arrival in Knoxville: Usually near the downtown area or a designated bus station.

Pros:

• No need to drive or navigate
• Can read, work, or rest during the trip

Cons:

• Travel time can be longer than driving yourself
• You’ll need local transportation in Knoxville (rideshare, local transit, taxi, or rental)

If you choose this option, plan to:

• Arrive early to your departure point in Atlanta
• Confirm the exact pick-up location and baggage rules ahead of time

4. Flying from Atlanta to Knoxville

Knoxville is served by McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), located south of the city. While Atlanta is a major hub, people already in Atlanta typically don’t fly this route unless:

• They’re connecting from another city and continuing on to Knoxville
• They are using airline miles or points and prefer to avoid driving

If you do consider flying:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Flight time is short, but you’ll need to factor in:
  • Early arrival at ATL
  • Security screening
  • Boarding, taxi, and deplaning
  • Transportation from TYS into Knoxville

Door-to-door, flying can end up taking similar or longer total time than driving, especially for trips starting in metro Atlanta.

What Atlanta Travelers Should Know Before Driving

Even though the distance from Knoxville to Atlanta is relatively short, there are a few Atlanta-specific considerations that can make your trip smoother.

1. Picking Your Departure Point in Atlanta

From inside metro Atlanta, you might access I-75 North from:

• Downtown / Midtown:
  Use the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) northbound and stay on I-75 as it splits.
• Buckhead / North Atlanta:
  Use surface streets (like Peachtree, Piedmont, or Northside) to connect to I-75 North via ramps near I-285 or within the city.
• Westside / Smyrna / Cobb County:
  You are closer to the I-75 corridor, which saves a bit of time and mileage.

If you’re far east (e.g., Decatur, Stone Mountain), you’ll factor in some extra cross-town travel just to reach I-75.

2. Typical Road Conditions on I-75 Between Atlanta and Knoxville

Along the way, you’ll encounter:

• Urban congestion near:
  • Atlanta (especially around the Perimeter / I-285)
  • Portions of the route near Chattanooga
• Long rural stretches where traffic usually moves steadily
• Sections that can be affected by:
  • Road construction
  • Weather, especially in cooler months when rain or occasional winter weather can slow things down north of Atlanta

It’s wise to:

• 🔍 Check a traffic/map app before and during your trip
• ⛽ Plan fuel and rest stops around Cartersville, Dalton, or Chattanooga where services are plentiful

Planning a Same-Day Round Trip From Atlanta

Because the drive each way is about 3.5–4 hours, many Atlantans consider a same-day round trip to Knoxville. Whether this is realistic depends on your energy level and purpose of the trip.

• Day trip is possible but long:
  Expect 7–8 hours of driving total plus your time in Knoxville.
• Best if you:
  • Share driving with another person
  • Leave early in the morning from Atlanta
  • Plan a firm return time to avoid late-night fatigue

For many people, booking one night in Knoxville makes the trip feel more relaxed, especially if you’re doing activities, events, or visiting family once you arrive.

Frequently Asked Atlanta-Specific Questions

Is Knoxville in the same time zone as Atlanta?

Yes.
Atlanta, GA and Knoxville, TN both observe Eastern Time, so there’s no time change to calculate for most trips between the two cities.

How far is Knoxville from Atlanta compared to Chattanooga?

From Atlanta:

• Atlanta → Chattanooga: About 115–120 miles, often ≈ 2 hours
• Atlanta → Knoxville: About 200–215 miles, usually 3.5–4 hours

So Knoxville is roughly twice as far as Chattanooga in terms of driving distance from Atlanta.

Is the drive from Atlanta to Knoxville scenic?

Compared with some of the mountain routes in North Georgia or western North Carolina, I-75 is more of a main interstate corridor than a scenic byway. However, you will pass:

• Hilly terrain and rolling countryside in North Georgia
• The Chattanooga area, near the Tennessee River and mountain ridges

If you want more of a scenic detour, you can:

• Stop in or near Chattanooga
• Explore nearby viewpoints or parks off the main interstate

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Distance: Around 200–215 miles from Atlanta to Knoxville
• Time: Typically 3.5–4 hours by car in normal traffic
• Main Route:I-75 North from Atlanta through North Georgia and into Tennessee
• Best For Most Atlantans: Driving your own car or renting one, especially from Hartsfield–Jackson or in-town rental offices
• No time zone change between Atlanta and Knoxville

Understanding the distance and route from Knoxville to Atlanta helps you plan everything from weekend getaways to family visits. With a bit of timing strategy around Atlanta traffic, the trip is straightforward and manageable in a single day.