Everything You Need to Know About Getting Around Knoxville

Travel recommendations for work and play in Tennessee

Whether you’re staying on campus at the University of Tennessee, working in downtown Knoxville, or spending time enjoying the arts and the beautiful landscapes, there are many ways to travel around the city. In addition to local roads and downtown traffic, there are high-speed roads and interstate highways for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. For people without a car or who are tourists, there are buses and rideshare services to navigate the city and the surroundings. For the more adventurous there are boats and bicycles to enjoy. You can enter and leave the city by plane as well. At Banks & Jones, we can answer your questions about common ways to travel.

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What are the major roads in Knoxville?

Two interstate highways serve Knoxville:

  • Interstate 40 connects to Ashville and Bristol in the East and Nashville to the West
  • Interstate 75 connects to Lexington in the North and Chattanooga in the South

Interstate 275 and Interstate 140 (Pellissippi Parkway) are nearby. I-140 connects to Maryville and McGhee Tyson Airport. Another well-traveled road in Knoxville is the part of US Route 129 called Alcoa Highway. Alcoa Highway also connects Knoxville with Maryville and McGhee Tyson Airport.

Other major roads in and around Knoxville include:

  • Kingston Pike
  • US-11 E and W
  • US-441, to reach the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • US-25 W, to reach Clinton
  • State Route 148
  • Neyland Drive
  • The James White Parkway
  • State Route 62, to get to Oak Ride
  • State Route 168 (Governor John Sevier Highway)
  • State Route 33

Drivers can travel over several bridges, including the South Knoxville Bridge, the Gay Street Bridge, the Henley Street Bridge, and the J.E. Karnes Bridge.

A few Knoxville travel considerations

According to WBIR, Knoxville is one of several cities studying the idea of implementing “choice” lanes, which would add a new pay-to-use traffic lane along the state’s busiest interstate sections. They report, “In Knoxville, TDOT wants one of these lanes built in the West Knox County corridor of I-40 between where I-75 and I-40 connect between Loudon County and Downtown Knoxville.” TDOT is the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Take Me to Tennessee recommends these 10 day trips from Knoxville:

  1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  2. Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
  3. Douglas Lake
  4. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park – Corbin, KY
  5. Chattanooga
  6. Blue Ridge, Georgia
  7. Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC
  8. Roan Mountain State Park
  9. Nashville, TN
  10. Atlanta, GA

What public transportation is available in Knoxville?

Most people travel around Knoxville by bus. Trains are used for freight. One major airport services the city.

Buses

You can get to work, Knoxville’s various scenic sights, the grocery store, and many places you want to go by using Knoxville Area Transit (KAT). In addition to the transit company’s buses, there are trolleys and paratransit vehicles. The main service routes connect to downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, and the major shopping locations.

Knoxville Area Transit has a website that helps you plan your trip. Simply provide your starting point, destination, and the date you’re going to travel. The fares are quite reasonable compared to other cities. Adults can travel for $1 for each ride. You can get a day pass for $2. Discounts for seniors, riders on Medicare, and riders with a disability are available.

KAT services nearly three million people each year. They note that “Our 23 fixed routes and three trolley lines reach over 80% of the City of Knoxville’s entire population within half a mile.”

Trains

Knoxville used to have a passenger train service. Rail lines included the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the Smoky Mountain Railroad, and the Southern Railway. Those passenger services are no longer active.

CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway carry freight into and out of Knoxville.

Planes

To fly into Knoxville and leave Knoxville, you can use McGhee Tyson Airport (MTA), which has two major runways. The airport is in Alcoa, 10 miles south of the city. Eight major airlines use MTA, and these airlines service 19 destinations.

The McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base serves the 134th Air Refueling wing of the Tennessee National Guard.

Another local airport is the Downtown Island Airport, which has one runway servicing more than 100 aircraft (mostly single-engine planes).

Are there rideshare services in Knoxville?

Anyone living in or visiting Knoxville who doesn’t have a car or doesn’t want to use their car can get around the city by using:

  • Taxi services.
  • Uber. You can use Uber and Uber XL (a premium rideshare service)
  • Lyft. You can use Standard and Plus (a premium rideshare service)

UpHail provides an example cost summary – going from Knoxville to McGhee Tyson Airport – which is an 11.21-mile trip that should take a little more than a half an hour.

“Lyft standard would be more expensive than UberX. The estimated cost of the Lyft ride is $18.05 compared to an estimated $15.23 with UberX. The cost of the Lyft ride is 15% more. The minimum fare for Uber in Knoxville is $6.78, and the minimum fare for Lyft in Knoxville is $3.61.”

Per UpHail, “The cost per mile for Lyft Standard is $0.79. The cost per mile for UberX is $0.79. The cost per mile for Lyft Plus is $1.31. The cost per mile for UberXL is $1.31.”

Most people who live in Knoxville have cars, trucks, or motorcycles. There are numerous bike routes you can take. Walking in downtown Knoxville and the various Knoxville neighborhoods is also a popular way to enjoy the city.

Do you have a Knoxville office near me?

Banks & Jones has a Knoxville office located at 2125 Middlebrook Pike. If you’re too ill or hurt to come to our office, we do make alternate arrangements. Our Knoxville lawyers also speak with clients by phone and through video.

We work with you, witnesses, and other professionals to determine what happened if you are in an accident or you’re accused of a crime. We work with your healthcare providers to understand the full scope of your injuries and the treatments you will need.

Talk with an experienced Knoxville trial lawyer now

While you’re traveling around Knoxville, there is the risk that you could be involved in a car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle accident. You could be hurt while shopping, eating, or on anyone’s property. A defective product may injure you. You could be charged with a crime. At Banks & Jones, our Knoxville lawyers are skilled trial lawyers. We’ll assert your rights if you are injured and defend your rights if you are charged with a DUI or any other criminal offense.

To schedule a consultation with an accomplished Knoxville accident lawyer, call Banks & Jones today or complete our contact form.

Knoxville Resources:

  1. Knoxville’s Top-Rated Hospitals: A guide to the city’s leading medical facilities.
  2. Knoxville Attractions: Must-see destinations and activities for all interests.
  3. Outdoor Recreation in Knoxville: Exploring the city’s natural beauty and adventure opportunities.
  4. Legal Guidance for Visitors Injured in Knoxville: Important information and resources for those facing unexpected medical situations during their stay.