Transportation

Driving

If you are relocating to the Oak Ridge/Knoxville area you will likely need to purchase or lease a vehicle. The City of Knoxville provides local transit service for specific city routes but does not include Oak Ridge. Bicycles and motorcycles are legal on Tennessee roadways except for interstate roadways. Helmets are required for motorcycles and bicycles. Traffic laws vary from state to state. The Tennessee Driver Handbook provides beneficial information about Tennessee-specific laws. This guide covers basics such as road rules, traffic signals and signs, and driving techniques.

For information about driving in Tennessee, see the Community page.

• Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
• Tennessee Driver Handbook
• Road Conditions

Commuting to ORNL

Carpooling
ORNL encourages employees to carpool. The Carpool website allows you to search for co-workers in your area who are interested in carpooling.

Cycling
Many employees choose to ride their bikes to work. Before cycling to the Laboratory, please read the ORNL rules and regulations.

Taxi/Limousine Service

Taxi, limousine, and bus company service is available from the Knoxville airport (minimum cost of a taxi is ~35 USD to Oak Ridge and Knoxville hotels). Because a taxi may not be available when you want it and because you will need to provide your own transportation to and from SNS/ORNL, a rental car is suggested for short stays.

• Airport Taxi Services
• McGhee Tyson Airport
• Taxi - Oak Ridge Yellow Cab (865-483-4343)

Car Rental Agencies

Phone numbers for all car rental agencies in the Knoxville area are listed below or you can select car rental agencies located at the Knoxville McGhee Tyson airport. Note that not all agencies are open late at night. For most agencies, you must be at least 25 years of age, and agencies may have differing policies on international drivers. It’s best to call ahead and talk directly to the agency.