We use an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) driven Chemistry-Transport Model (ACTM) to simulate the evolution of sulfur hexafluoride (SF<sub>6</sub>) in the atmosphere. The model results are compared with continuous measurements at 6 sites over 71° N–90° S. These comparisons demonstrate that the ACTM simulations lie within the measurement uncertainty over the analysis period (1999–2006) and capture salient features of synoptic, seasonal and interannual SF<sub>6</sub> variability. To understand transport timescales of SF<sub>6</sub> within the troposphere, transport times of air parcels from the surface to different regions of the troposphere ("age") are estimated from a simulation of an idealized tracer. Monthly-mean, 2-box model exchange times (τ<sub>ex</sub>) are calculated from both the observed and simulated SF<sub>6</sub>time series at the 6 observing sites and show favorable agreement, suggesting that the model adequately represents large-scale interhemispheric transport. The simulated SF<sub>6</sub> variability is further investigated through decomposition of the mixing ratio time-tendency into advective, convective, and vertical diffusive components. The transport component analysis illustrates the role of each process in SF<sub>6</sub>synoptic variability at the site level and provides insight into the seasonality of τ<sub>ex</sub>.