Quick Summary:

  • Q: What makes Knoxville, TN an ideal location for day trips?
  • A: Knoxville, TN is a hub city located off I-40, I-75, and close to I-80, making it within a day’s drive of half of the continental United States.
  • Q: What are some exciting day trips from Knoxville?
  • A: Here are some of the most exciting day trips from Knoxville, TN, offering visitors a variety of nearby destinations to explore.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Chattanooga ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chattanooga | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Ritu Jethani/stock.adobe.com

2. Abingdon, VA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Abingdon, VA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Melinda Fawver/stock.adobe.com

3. Greenville, SC

Greenville, SC | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Kevin Ruck/stock.adobe.com

4. Lexington, KY

Lexington, KY | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Jesse Kunerth/stock.adobe.com

5. Nashville, TN

Nashville, TN | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© susanne2688/stock.adobe.com

6. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Category: Accommodations
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Diane Johnson and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

7. Blue Ridge, GA

Category: Activities
Blue Ridge, GA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Laura Ballard/stock.adobe.com

8. Roanoke, VA

Roanoke, VA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© ablokhin/stock.adobe.com

9. Huntsville, AL

Huntsville, AL | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Jeff/stock.adobe.com

10. Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© f11photo/stock.adobe.com

11. Alpine Helen, GA

Alpine Helen, GA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

12. Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Jim Vallee/stock.adobe.com

13. Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Scott Prokop/stock.adobe.com

14. Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Category: Activities
Great Smoky Mountain National Park | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

15. Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Nick/stock.adobe.com

16. Tugaloo State Park

Category: Activities
Tugaloo State Park | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Anette Linnea Rasmus/stock.adobe.com

17. Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

18. Dahlonega, GA

Dahlonega, GA | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© TOimages/stock.adobe.com

19. Del Rio, TN

Del Rio, TN | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Mark/stock.adobe.com

20. Museum of Appalachia

Category: Museums & Culture
Museum of Appalachia | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© quasarphotos/stock.adobe.com

21. Cataloochee

Cataloochee | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© David Carillet/stock.adobe.com

22. Oak Ridge

Category: Activities
Oak Ridge | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Melinda Fawver/stock.adobe.com

23. Ocoee River

Category: Activities
Ocoee River | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Sandra Burm/stock.adobe.com

24. Cookeville

Cookeville | Day Trips from Knoxville, Tennessee
© Tobias/stock.adobe.com

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