THE EARNEST TRAVELER
Chattanooga sits at a highway crossroads in southeast Tennessee, easy to reach by car from much of the Southeast and close enough to the Smokies to pair the two. Here's how to get in and get around.
By Air & By Road
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) handles regional flights a short drive from downtown; larger hubs in Atlanta and Nashville are within about two hours if you need more routes. By car, Chattanooga sits where I-75 and I-24 cross, roughly two hours from Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville. You'll want a car here.
The Smokies & the Blue Ridge Connection
Chattanooga is about two and a half hours from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an easy add to a Southern Appalachian road trip — many travelers chain Chattanooga with the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway. See our Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge & Asheville guides to plan the rest.
Getting Around
Downtown, the riverfront, and the Southside are walkable, and a free downtown electric shuttle links the main areas. You'll still want a car for Lookout Mountain and the outdoor spots outside the core. Parking is easiest in downtown garages.
When to Go
Spring and fall are the sweet spots — mild weather and the mountains at their best. Summer is hot and humid and busiest at the attractions; winter is quiet, with Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights as a seasonal draw.
Stay somewhere walkable downtown or Southside, use the free shuttle in the core, and only pull the car out for Lookout Mountain and the outdoor spots. It's the least-hassle way to do the city.
Handy for the road in and getting around the Scenic City.