Facility Overview

Terminal Parking Lot B at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is a paved, open-air surface parking facility situated along Airfield Drive and Airport Loop Road in Alcoa, Tennessee. Historically operated as Economy Lot B before being integrated into the airport's core terminal parking footprint, this dedicated lot provides travelers and airport visitors with a direct, pedestrian-friendly walking connection to the passenger terminal without requiring shuttle transfers. Designed with wide drive aisles and clearly designated stalls, the lot comfortably accommodates standard passenger cars, minivans, full-size pickup trucks, and standard SUVs. Unlike the multi-level airport parking garage which has a restricted 7-foot-2-inch clearance, Terminal Parking Lot B offers open headroom, though inbound entryway equipment arches enforce a generous 7-foot-10-inch vehicle limit. Drivers operating oversized passenger vans, dual-rear-wheel trucks, or commercial vehicles exceeding standard dimensions should coordinate in advance with airport parking operations.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the airfield grounds of Blount County, Terminal Parking Lot B serves as an essential embarkation point for business travelers, vacationers, and regional visitors across East Tennessee. The parking area is located just a 5-to-8-minute outdoor walk via paved sidewalks to the main terminal building, ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim. Beyond passenger flight services, the lot is strategically close to key destinations across the Knoxville metropolitan area and the Great Smoky Mountains corridor:

• McGhee Tyson Airport Terminal & Airport Hilton: Directly on-site, providing seamless access to boarding gates, rental car facilities, and terminal meeting rooms (under 8 minutes on foot).
• Downtown Alcoa & Maryville: Located 3 to 5 miles south (an 8-minute drive), featuring the Maryville Greenway, Foothills Mall, and local dining destinations along Calderwood Highway and Hall Road.
• Downtown Knoxville & The University of Tennessee: Positioned approximately 12 miles north via US-129 / Alcoa Highway (a 15-to-20-minute drive), offering rapid access to Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena, the Knoxville Convention Center, and Market Square.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gateway: Approximately 35 to 45 miles southeast, making TYS and its terminal parking an ideal launchpad for tourists traveling to Townsend, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Terminal Parking Lot B is easily accessible from all directions via US-129 (Alcoa Highway), a major multi-lane arterial connecting Knoxville directly to Blount County. Motorists entering airport grounds simply follow the overhead roadway wayfinding signs directed toward Terminal Parking and Lot B along Airfield Drive. Ingress is managed through automated ticket-dispensing gate lanes designed for smooth, continuous vehicle throughput. Exiting vehicles merge onto Airport Loop Road, which offers streamlined traffic dispersal back onto north- and southbound US-129 without crossing complex terminal drop-off traffic. For regional connectivity, the lot is complemented by airport car rental fleets, official taxi queues, app-based rideshares (Uber and Lyft), and periodic campus transit services such as the University of Tennessee's holiday airport shuttles.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Managed under the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and operated in partnership with Republic Parking Systems, Terminal Parking Lot B includes several operational and security conveniences:

• Continuous Operation: Fully accessible and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to accommodate all early departures and delayed arrivals.
• Walking Terminal Proximity: Continuous lighted sidewalk network connecting travelers directly from their parked vehicle to the terminal entrance with no shuttle wait times.
• Security Infrastructure: Well-lit parking grounds illuminated by overhead high-output lighting fixtures, perimeter boundary fencing, and round-the-clock airport police patrols.
• Accessible Stalls: ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls conveniently positioned near the pedestrian egress points, available for vehicles displaying valid state-issued disability permits.
• Flexible Payment Options: Automated self-service kiosks and exit gate lanes accepting major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) as well as cash at designated processing terminals.

Ideal For

• Business & Corporate Flyers: Professionals flying out for quick regional or cross-country trips who want terminal proximity without paying premium garage rates.
• Leisure & Family Vacationers: Families taking multi-day or week-long flights who desire an easy self-parking experience with manageable walking distances for wheeled luggage.
• Visitors Meeting Arriving Passengers: Guests attending flight arrivals or escorting departures who prefer walking into the ticketing or baggage claim halls rather than waiting in the cell phone holding lot.
• Drivers of Tall or Lifted Vehicles: Owners of standard passenger trucks and high-profile SUVs that exceed the 7-foot-2-inch ceiling limit of the adjacent multi-level parking garage.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To ensure a seamless travel day when utilizing Terminal Parking Lot B, keep these practical guidelines in mind:

• Check Real-Time Lot Capacity: McGhee Tyson Airport experiences peak parking surges during holiday breaks, spring travel, and major college sports weekends. Check live lot occupancy on the official airport website (FlyKnoxville.com) before departing home.
• Billing & Incremental Rates: The facility bills at an incremental rate of $1.00 per 20 minutes ($3.00 per hour) up to the daily maximum cap of $16.00 per day, making it an affordable hybrid between the covered garage and distant shuttle-dependent economy lots.
• Keep Your Entry Ticket Safe: Take your gate ticket with you in your carry-on luggage or keep it in a secure interior vehicle compartment away from heat and dashboard sunlight to ensure smooth barcode scanning at exit gates.
• Contact Parking Assistance if Needed: If you misplace your parking ticket, require battery jump-start assistance, or need oversize vehicle coordination, contact the Republic Parking airport office at (865) 970-2749.