🗺️CityToCityDistance

Nashville to Knoxville Distance

178 miles•287 km•2.8 hours

Driving distance and route information from Nashville, United Statesto Knoxville, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

178.53 mi
(287.32 km)
⏱️2h 46m
Via US-70 → I-40 → I-24 → US-441
US-70 → I-40
📏 Straight-line distance: 160 miles (257 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Nashville to Knoxville

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
178 mi
287 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
2.8 hours
168 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
24 L
$36 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointNashville, Tennessee
DestinationKnoxville, Tennessee
Route Options1 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed103 km/h
Straight-line Distance257 km
Route Efficiency89%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Nashville to Knoxville

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route179 mi (287 km)2.8 hours104 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Nashville to Knoxville

The road journey from Nashville to Knoxville spans approximately 178 miles (287 kilometers), making it a medium-distance drive that typically requires 2.8 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Tennessee, United States with Tennessee, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 1 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Nashville to Knoxville follows the US-70 → I-40 → I-24 → US-441 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 103 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 7 gallons (24 liters) of fuel for this 178 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
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Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 3.2 hours.
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Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$25
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$45
Total Trip Cost$70

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

2.8 hours

178 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.3 hours flight

257 km direct

🚌

By Bus

3.6 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Nashville

View all distances from Nashville →

More routes from Knoxville

View all distances from Knoxville →

Nashville to Knoxville - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Nashville to Knoxville?
The driving distance from Nashville to Knoxville is 178 miles (287 km) by the fastest route, which follows US-70 → I-40 → I-24 → US-441. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 257 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Nashville to Knoxville?
The drive from Nashville to Knoxville takes approximately 2h 46m of continuous driving at an average speed of 103 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 3.2 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Nashville to Knoxville?
The fastest driving route from Nashville to Knoxville is 178 miles (287 km) via US-70 → I-40 → I-24 → US-441, taking about 2h 46m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Nashville to Knoxville?
The route from Nashville to Knoxville is essentially direct — no alternative driving paths offer a meaningfully different distance.
Does the route from Nashville to Knoxville include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Nashville to Knoxville stays on toll-free public roads.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Nashville to Knoxville?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 6 gallons (24 liters) of fuel for the 178-mile (287-km) drive from Nashville to Knoxville. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $21 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Nashville to Knoxville?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Nashville as the origin and Knoxville as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.