Transportation and Directions to Oak Ridge

Several major airlines have frequent daily flights to the nearby Knoxville McGee Tyson Airport (TYS). Travel from the airport to Oak Ridge takes about 30 minutes via rental car or taxi, available at the airport. ORNL has developed several maps of the area. Directions to the lab from various points of origin are below. Visitors will be issued temporary passes at the guard gate and will be directed to the visitor center. Instructions for "Entering ORNL" and a map to the visitor center may be helpful.

Directions to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

From McGhee Tyson Airport (~25 mi.)

Upon leaving the airport, follow the exit ramp as directed for "Knoxville". Merge onto US 129 North (Alcoa Highway). After aapproximately 3 mi. exit on I-140 (Pellissippi Parkway) to Oak Ridge. At approximately 11 mi. Pellissippi Parkway crosses over I-75/I-40, and at about 17 mi. Rt. 162 merges with Rt. 62 in the "Solway" area. The Solway Bridge crosses Milton Hill lake at mile 18. After crossing Solway Bridge there is a cemetery (Oak Ridge Memorial Park) on the right. The road will split here. Take the right fork to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Continue on Bethel Valley Road to the guard gate. The lab is another 4.4 miles from the guard gate.

From Knoxville (I-40 Traveling West)

Drive west on I-40. In the West Knoxville area, take exit 376 marked "Oak Ridge" via the Pellissippi Parkway (Rt. 162). Drive approximately 6 miles to the Solway area where Rt. 62 joins Rt. 162. After crossing the Solway Bridge there is a cemetery (Oak Ridge Memorial Park) on the right. The road will split here. Take the right fork to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Continue on Bethel Valley Road to the guard gate. The lab is another 4.4 miles past the guard gate.

From Nashville (I-40 Traveling East)

On I-40 traveling east, take exit 364, and turn left on Rt. 321. In about a mile Rt. 321 becomes Rt. 95 after crossing Melton Hill Lake. Continue north for another 2.5 miles to where Bethel Valley Road ends at Rt. 95. Turn right on Bethel Valley Rd. The lab is about 1.5 miles from the guard gate.

From Chattanooga (I-75 Traveling North)

On I-75 traveling north take exit 81 marked "Oak Ridge/Lenoir City". Turn left and travel north on route 321. At about 5 miles you will pass under I-40 (exit 364). In about a mile Rt. 321 becomes Rt. 95 after crossing Melton Hill Lake. Continue north for another 2.5 miles to where Bethel Valley Road ends at Rt. 95. Turn right on Bethel Valley Rd. The lab is about 1.5 miles past the guard gate.

From Lexington (I-75 Traveling South)

On I-75 traveling south, take the Clinton exit (122), and turn right on Rt. 61. Drive west through the city of Clinton to Oak Ridge, approximately 16 mi. from I-40. In Oak Ridge the traffic lights on Rt. 61 (Oak Ridge Turnpike) are numbered. At traffic light number six take a left on Lafayette Ave. and proceed about 1.5 mi. through three traffic lights to the forth at the intersection with Illinois Ave. Turn left on Illinois Ave. and go about 1.9 mi. to Bethel Valley Road. Turn right onto Bethel Valley Road and proceed to the guard gate. The lab is about 4.4 miles past the guard gate.

Oak Ridge Area Links

Here are a few local links to give you a taste of the Oak Ridge - Knoxville area:

Oak Ridge

• City of Oak Ridge Web site.
• The Oak Ridger.
• Current radar weather map of the Oak Ridge area
• Current weather conditions in Oak Ridge

Knoxville

• Knoxville News-Sentinel Online
• About Knoxville
• The Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau
• University of Tennessee Knoxville

Area

• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park Service)
• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Commercial site)