SUV rental at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

You can get discounts and low cost car rental on Turo. On your Account page, make sure you've checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we'll send you occasional promo codes, discounts, and deals. Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period.

No, you don't need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo. In the US, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host's vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan. When booking a car in the US, you'll choose between three protection plans — Premier (eligibility requirements apply), Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of protection that's right for you. On each trip, you're covered with third-party automobile liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.* In New York state, you'll also choose between Premier (if available), Standard, or Minimum. With each plan, you're covered with liability insurance of $1,250,000.* Protection plans for New York trips also include access to roadside assistance, priority phone support, and 24/7 customer assistance.

An SUV rental at McGhee Tyson Airport provides excellent ground clearance and cargo space for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains region around Knoxville. These vehicles offer superior comfort for families visiting attractions like Dollywood or Gatlinburg, with ample room for luggage and outdoor gear. The elevated seating position in an SUV gives you better visibility when navigating Tennessee's scenic mountain roads and winding highways.

The scenic route to Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Gatlinburg ranks as the top destination from Knoxville airport, offering stunning mountain vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many renters choose the Blue Ridge Parkway adventure, which connects to incredible overlooks and hiking trails throughout East Tennessee. Downtown Knoxville beckons with its vibrant Market Square and historic Old City, while the Norris Dam State Park provides excellent recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Take Alcoa Highway (US-129) north directly from the airport location toward downtown Knoxville for the most straightforward route. This main thoroughfare connects the airport to the city center, passing through Alcoa before reaching the urban core. Your rental SUV will follow clear signage along this well-traveled corridor, making navigation simple for first-time visitors to the area.

To rent a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, have a valid driver's license, get approved to drive on Turo, and be 18 years old or older in the US, 21 years old or older in Australia, or 23 years old or older in Canada. In the UK, you must be 21 years old or older and have held a UK or EU license for at least one year, or another driver's license for at least two years. In France you must be 18 years old or older and have held a driver's license for at least 2 years, longer for certain makes and models of vehicles. When you're booking your first trip, you'll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver's license and some other information. In most cases, you'll get approved immediately, and you'll be set for all future road trips, day trips, and business trips!

Tennessee requires all vehicle occupants to wear seatbelts, and drivers must carry valid insurance documentation at all times. Right turns on red lights are permitted after coming to a complete stop, unless posted signs indicate otherwise. Mountain driving around the Knoxville area demands extra caution due to steep grades and curves, so maintain appropriate following distances and use lower gears when descending hills.

Turo accepts valid licenses (not expired, suspended, or revoked) that allow for full driving privileges; this includes driver's licenses issued outside of the US. Licenses that Turo doesn't accept in the US include any that have expired, have been altered, are conditional, probational, provisional, or restricted. Learner's permit/instruction permits are not accepted.

No toll roads operate in the immediate McGhee Tyson Airport area or throughout most of East Tennessee. The region's highway system, including major routes like Interstate 40 and Alcoa Highway, provides free access for all drivers. This makes budgeting for your rental SUV adventure much simpler, as you won't encounter unexpected toll charges during typical sightseeing around Knoxville and the surrounding mountains.