In town for a Vols football weekend, a concert, or graduation? When there’s a game at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville fills up fast — and a rental car is one of the first things to disappear. Here’s how to lock one in before they’re gone.
Cruise Knoxville Car Rentals is a locally owned host. You book a specific car online, fly into McGhee Tyson (TYS), and we hand it off at the airport or deliver it to your hotel — no counter, no shuttle, no surge-priced scramble.
Why game weekends sell out the cars
Neyland seats over 100,000, and a home Saturday brings a flood of visitors into a mid-size city. Hotels book out, and the national counters both surge-price and run out of inventory. Reserving a specific car ahead — weeks out for a marquee game — is how you avoid landing at TYS with nothing available.
The tailgate rig: our Ford F-150
Tailgating means hauling — grills, coolers, canopies, chairs, the whole setup. Our Ford F-150 is built for exactly that, and we can have it waiting when you land. If you just need to get around, the fuel-efficient sedans do the trick and park easier near campus.
- TYS → Neyland Stadium / UT
- About 13 miles · roughly 20–25 minutes
- TYS → Downtown Knoxville
- About 12 miles · roughly 20 minutes
- Best move on game day
- Park once, or let us deliver to your hotel so you skip airport lines
Getting to Neyland from the airport or your hotel
McGhee Tyson to campus is a quick 20-minute drive. Game-day parking near Neyland is tight and fills early, so many visitors stay downtown or near campus and drive in early — or have the car delivered to the hotel so the airport is one less line to stand in. See how it works for the full handoff.
Beyond football
Knoxville’s big weekends aren’t only Saturdays in the fall. Concerts at Thompson-Boling Arena and Neyland, UT graduation, festivals, and Smokies leaf season all spike demand for cars the same way. If your visit lands on a busy weekend, book early — and a car in Knoxville also puts Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the national park within an easy drive for the rest of your trip.
Book before the schedule fills
The rule for game weekends is simple: the earlier, the better. Rates and availability both tighten as Saturday approaches, and the marquee games (rivalry weekends, ranked matchups) go first. Browse the fleet and lock in your dates.
Common questions
How early should I book a car for a Vols game weekend?
As early as you can — weeks out for big games. Home Saturdays at Neyland fill Knoxville’s hotels and rental inventory fast, and marquee matchups go first.
Can you deliver the car to my hotel for the weekend?
Yes. We deliver to McGhee Tyson (TYS), downtown and campus-area hotels so you skip the airport counter and shuttle entirely. Send your details when you book.
Do you have a truck for tailgating?
Yes — our Ford F-150 is ideal for hauling grills, coolers and canopies. It books out fast on game weekends, so reserve early.
How far is McGhee Tyson Airport from Neyland Stadium?
About 13 miles, roughly a 20 to 25 minute drive. Downtown Knoxville is about 12 miles / 20 minutes.
Is a car worth it just for a game weekend?
If you’re flying in, yes — rideshare surges hard on game days and a car lets you tailgate, get to campus early, and explore the Smokies while you’re here.