Driving from Atlanta to Knoxville: Time, Distance & Route

Atlanta, GA → Knoxville, TN is a straightforward Interstate drive.

• Distance: ~190 miles (306 km)
• Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (normal traffic)
• Primary Route: I-75 North the entire way (Chattanooga → Knoxville).

Key Waypoints

• Marietta / Kennesaw (Atlanta metro)
• Cartersville (Etowah Indian Mounds)
• Calhoun (outlets)
• Dalton (carpet capital)
• Chattanooga (~1 hr 45 min from ATL) — Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Aquarium, good stop.
• Sweetwater / Athens (TN)
• Knoxville — I-40/I-640/I-275 junctions.

Traffic Considerations

• Atlanta rush hour: Avoid 7–9 AM / 4–7 PM leaving ATL.
• Chattanooga: I-75 through Missionary Ridge can bottleneck.
• Construction: Check 511GA / TDOT SmartWay.

Alternatives

• Flight: ATL → TYS (McGhee Tyson) — 1 hr gate-to-gate, but airport hassle makes total ~3.5–4 hrs.
• Bus: Greyhound/FlixBus ~4–5 hrs.

Driving is usually fastest door-to-door.