The closest commercial airport to Murphy, NC is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), roughly 82 miles and just under two hours west by car, followed closely by Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), each a little over two hours away. For private and charter flights, Western Carolina Regional Airport (RHP) in Andrews is about 20 minutes up the road. Murphy sits right in the middle of four regional airports, so the best choice usually comes down to where you're flying.
Key Takeaways
- Chattanooga (CHA) is the shortest commercial drive from Murphy, at roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by Rome2Rio's estimate.
- Knoxville (TYS), Asheville (AVL) and Atlanta (ATL) each sit roughly 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 25 minutes away, depending on your starting point.
- There is an airport in nearly every direction: Chattanooga to the west, Knoxville to the north, Asheville to the east and Atlanta to the south.
- Atlanta offers the widest schedule, with more than 2,200 daily flights across domestic and international markets, according to the airport.
- Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews is a general-aviation field with Av Gas and Jet A fuel, a handy option for private and charter flights.
What is the closest airport to Murphy, NC?
I'm Bonnie DuPree, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Town & Country and an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), and "Where do I fly into?" is one of the first questions I hear from people shopping for a home here. The best answer starts with a question back: where are you flying from? Murphy sits in the far southwest corner of North Carolina, close to both the Georgia and Tennessee lines, and that location puts four regional airports within a comfortable morning's drive.
By drive time, Chattanooga is the nearest commercial airport, with Knoxville right behind it. By total flight options, Atlanta leads. For the full picture of highways and travel times around the region, my guide to routes and drive times around the NC and GA mountains is a great companion to this post. Here is how the airports compare, using Rome2Rio's driving estimates from Murphy:
| Airport | Code | Approx. drive from Murphy | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina Regional Airport, Andrews | RHP | Roughly 20 minutes (Andrews is about 15 miles away) | General aviation for private and charter flights; Av Gas and Jet A fuel |
| Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport | CHA | About 82 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes | Four airlines and nonstop service to 16 destinations |
| McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville | TYS | About 85 miles, roughly 2 hours 10 minutes | Six airlines with nonstop service to many U.S. cities |
| Asheville Regional Airport | AVL | About 114 miles, roughly 2 hours 20 minutes | Nonstop options to cities such as Denver, Chicago, Boston and Miami |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International | ATL | About 127 miles, roughly 2 hours 25 minutes | More than 2,200 daily flights, domestic and international |
Drive estimates vary with your exact starting point in Cherokee County and the time of day, so treat these as a planning guide rather than a stopwatch.
Which airport should you fly into when you own a home in Murphy?
Choose by destination, not by habit. Because Murphy has an airport in nearly every direction, many owners find they use more than one, depending on where each trip is headed. Here is what each one does especially well.
Chattanooga (CHA) for an easy, short drive. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is the quickest commercial airport to reach from Murphy. The airport lists four airlines, Allegiant, American, Delta and United, with nonstop service to 16 destinations, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Washington, DC. The airport's own tagline is that everything's easier when you fly from Chattanooga, and the drive heads west into Tennessee. Chattanooga is also a favorite city outing, which is why it appears in my guide to day trips from Murphy to Helen, Cherokee, Asheville and Chattanooga.
Knoxville (TYS) for a strong mix of airlines. McGhee Tyson Airport describes six airlines serving nonstop routes to more than 30 destinations. At roughly 85 miles, it sits almost as close in mileage as Chattanooga, and it's a smart pick when you're heading to East Tennessee or want another set of flight times to compare.
Asheville (AVL) for western North Carolina connections. Asheville Regional Airport sits to the east and highlights nonstop options to cities such as Denver, Chicago, Boston and Miami. The drive east through the mountains is a lovely one, and it pairs nicely with a stop in Asheville for dinner on the way home.
Atlanta (ATL) for the widest choice. Hartsfield-Jackson, among the world's busiest airports, lists more than 2,200 daily flights across domestic and international markets. If you're flying internationally, traveling to a smaller city, or want the most departure times, Atlanta is usually where I suggest you start your search.
Can you fly a private or charter plane closer to Murphy?
Yes. Western Carolina Regional Airport, airport code RHP, sits at 5840 Airport Road in Andrews, and Andrews is about 15 miles from Murphy, roughly a 20-minute drive. It's a general-aviation airport, so it serves private and small aircraft rather than scheduled airline flights. For owners who fly their own plane, or who charter one, that's a wonderful convenience: you can land in the valley and be at your front door in well under an hour.
According to Cherokee County's Western Carolina Regional Airport page, the airport is open Monday through Sunday from 8am to 5pm, offers Av Gas and Jet A fuel, and has self-serve fueling available after hours. If you plan to fly in, I'd suggest calling the airport directly at (828) 321-5114 to confirm current services and hangar availability before your trip.
What travel tips help owners fly in and out of Murphy smoothly?
A little planning turns a two-hour drive into a pleasant part of the journey. These are the tips I share most often with owners and buyers who travel back and forth:
- Match the airport to the trip. Compare fares and flight times at two or three airports before you book. The one with the best schedule may not be the closest.
- Give yourself a relaxed buffer. Mountain roads reward an unhurried pace, and in winter a little extra time for weather lets you enjoy the drive. I like to suggest leaving enough cushion that you can stop for coffee along the way.
- Know your parking choices. Chattanooga offers an economy lot with a free shuttle to the terminal, plus a cell phone lot for pickups. Asheville has premium, standard and shuttle lots. Knoxville offers a garage, terminal lots, an economy lot and a Phone & Wait Lot, and Atlanta lets you reserve a spot ahead through Park ATL.
- Consider timing your drive with daylight. Many of the prettiest stretches are best seen in the light, so a morning arrival lets you take in the ridges on the way to your home.
- Keep a home-arrival checklist. If your Murphy home is a second home, a simple list for thermostat, water and groceries means you walk into a ready house after a travel day.
Always confirm parking rates, shuttle times and airline schedules with the airport before you travel, since those details change through the year.
How does airport access fit into buying a home in Murphy from out of state?
As an ABR, much of my work is helping buyers who live somewhere else find the right home here, and airport planning is part of that. I always encourage out-of-state buyers to plan a focused visit: narrow the list with video walk-throughs first, then fly in to see a short list in person. My post on buying a home in Murphy from out of state walks through how that process works from start to finish.
Where a home sits also shapes your travel routine, since every trip to the airport starts at your own driveway. When I show homes to people who fly often, I like to point out how each location connects to the main highways, so they can picture a travel day from that driveway.
If you're still in the early stages, my answers to the questions I hear most about moving to Murphy cover everything from utilities to getting settled.
For a big-picture plan, my step-by-step roadmap for relocating to the NC mountains lays out each stage of a move. My team, The DuPree Real Estate Group, is happy to help you coordinate showings around your flight times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest airport to Murphy, NC?
The closest commercial airport to Murphy, NC is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), roughly 82 miles and about 1 hour 50 minutes by car, based on Rome2Rio's estimate. For private and charter flights, Western Carolina Regional Airport (RHP) in Andrews, roughly 20 minutes from Murphy, serves general aviation.
How far is Murphy, NC from the Atlanta airport?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is roughly 127 miles from Murphy, about 2 hours 25 minutes by car based on Rome2Rio's estimate. Your drive time depends on your starting point and the time of day.
Is Asheville or Knoxville closer to Murphy, NC?
Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport is closer in miles, about 85 miles and roughly 2 hours 10 minutes. Asheville Regional Airport is about 114 miles and roughly 2 hours 20 minutes. Both are good choices, so compare flights at each.
Can I fly a private plane into Murphy, NC?
Yes, through Western Carolina Regional Airport (RHP) at 5840 Airport Road in Andrews, a town about 15 miles from Murphy. Cherokee County lists it as open daily from 8am to 5pm with Av Gas and Jet A fuel and self-serve fueling after hours.
Which airport has the most flights near Murphy, NC?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International offers the most flights, with more than 2,200 daily flights across domestic and international markets, according to the airport. It is a strong starting point for international trips and smaller destinations.
Your Local Expert
I'm Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR®, founder of The DuPree Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Town & Country. Based in Murphy, NC — the county seat of Cherokee County — I've helped buyers and sellers across these mountains and lakes since 2007. As an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), I help buyers near and far find the right home, from Murphy, Andrews and Brasstown to Hayesville, Robbinsville, Blairsville, Blue Ridge and Hiawassee. My team follows a "One Thing" model, with each specialist focused on one part of your move.
Plan your next trip to Murphy
Four regional airports and a general-aviation field close by mean Murphy is easier to reach than many people expect. Pick the airport that fits your trip, give yourself a relaxed buffer, and enjoy the drive into the mountains. When you're ready to look, browse current homes for sale around Murphy and start your short list before you fly in.
I'd love to help you plan your visit. Reach out to me directly, or call me at (828) 361-1027, and let's line up your showings around your flight.
The DuPree Real Estate Group is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Town & Country · Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.
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