Origin
Alamo, TN
Evening in Alamo on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alamo, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
327.5 mi
527 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 50m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alamo, TN
Mark Direen
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 327.5 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Alamo to Knoxville is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 2 minutes. Because the route is compact enough for a single day of travel, you can comfortably complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of roughly $50 to cover the distance. Since 98% of your travel occurs on major highways, expect a very consistent pace throughout the drive. It’s an efficient way to cross the state, moving you from the western region into the heart of East Tennessee.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
163.7 miles from Alamo, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, making it a predictable and steady experience behind the wheel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40 and US-412, which provide a reliable, high-speed connection between your start and end points. The most significant portion of the drive is a 176.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-40, requiring long periods of concentration on the interstate. As you approach your destination, you will transition into the Downtown Loop to navigate the city. Overall, the road’s personality is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves or local backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 176.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 412. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in near US 412.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 327.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
18 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
9
146.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
149.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
323.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
326.7 mi into trip
|
~6h in
Keep slight left at fork toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
Towns Along This Route
Between Alamo, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
146.4 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Louisville
149.1 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
149.1 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 176.7 mi | 3h 13m |
| US 412 | 145.3 mi | 2h 39m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| South Bells Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Conley Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Lincoln Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 176.7 mi, about 3h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alamo, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on TN 88
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Bells Street
2
Turn right onto West Lincoln Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Lincoln Street
3
Continue on Conley Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Conley Road
4
Turn left onto US 412
17 mi
·
21 min
·
US 412
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto US 412
128 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
I 40
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
13
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near major hubs. Given the 6-hour duration, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long interstate stretches can become monotonous. Since you are spending nearly all your time on major roads, fuel stops are easy to find, but keep an eye on your tank during that 176.7-mile stretch on I-40 to avoid any unnecessary stress. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. A helpful tip is to check the status of the Downtown Loop before you arrive so you can navigate the final approach into Knoxville with confidence.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.7 miles from Alamo, TN, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.7 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alamo, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alamo, TN
This is one driving day of about 327.5 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alamo, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 176.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.7 mi from Alamo, TN · 3h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163.7 miles from Alamo, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.7 miles.
Arriving in Knoxville, TN
The final approach into Knoxville, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Knoxville, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.74 one way
$99.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.84 | $109.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.83 | $123.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.76 | $145.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.3 | 1 | $34.39 | $15.72 |
| Efficient EV | 81.9 | 0 | $28.66 | $13.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131 | 1 | $45.85 | $20.96 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alamo, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 327.5 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 412, Downtown Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.7 miles from Alamo, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 327.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Alamo, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Knoxville, TN
More trips to Knoxville, TN
Explore more options from Alamo, TN or browse trips ending in Knoxville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Alamo, TN or Knoxville, TN on MapSof.net.