Trip from Altamont, TN to Knoxville, TN

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

143.8 mi

231 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Altamont, TN, TN

Altamont, TN

Kelly

Downtown Knoxville, TN, TN

Knoxville, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Altamont to Knoxville, expect a straightforward 143.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $22, making this a relatively economical route to navigate. The path utilizes a combination of US 27, I-40, and SR 111, effectively moving you across the Southeast region of Tennessee. Because the drive is concise and efficient, it works well for travelers looking to balance time on the road with a full day of activity at the finish line.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

71.9 miles from Altamont, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of driving conditions, including a significant 41.9-mile stretch on US 27 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The drive shifts from regional roads to the faster pace of the interstate system as you transition toward Knoxville. While the route is designed for efficiency, be prepared for the change in rhythm between the initial segments and the high-speed transit on I-40. It is a functional, direct drive that favors consistent movement over frequent turns or technical maneuvers.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 27 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.6 miles in near US 27.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 143.8 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 48.6 miles (US 27): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
48.6 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | US 27

Merge onto US 27

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
103.2 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
142.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in

Take the exit toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
7
143.1 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 27 41.9 mi 52m
I 40 39.5 mi 44m
SR 111 11.5 mi 13m
TN 8 8.4 mi 11m
SR 108 7.2 mi 10m
Roane State Highway 5.4 mi 6m
Barkertown Road 5.3 mi 9m
TN 111 5.3 mi 6m
Longest stretch: US 27 — 41.9 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Knoxville, TN.

1

Start on Cumberland Street

526 ft · 24 sec · Cumberland Street
2

Turn left onto SR 56

4.6 mi · 6 min · Main Street
3

Turn left onto SR 108

7.2 mi · 10 min · SR 108
4

Turn left onto SR 399

5.3 mi · 9 min · Barkertown Road
5

Continue on SR 399

3.8 mi · 6 min · Artillery Road
6

Continue on SR 399

1.6 mi · 2 min · Rifle Range Road
7

At end of road, turn right onto TN 8; TN 111

8.4 mi · 11 min · TN 8; TN 111
8

Continue on SR 111

11 mi · 13 min · SR 111
9

Continue on TN 111

5.3 mi · 6 min · TN 111
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
11

Merge onto US 27

42 mi · 52 min · US 27
Use the none lane.
12

Merge onto US 27

4.1 mi · 4 min · Spring City Highway
13

Continue on US 27; US 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · South Gateway Avenue
14

Continue on US 27; US 70

5.4 mi · 6 min · Roane State Highway
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
16

Merge onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40
Use the none lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 40
Use the none lane.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
20

Continue on US 441

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on US 441

255 ft · 11 sec · Henley Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 441

Trip Plan

Since the total drive time is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever suits you best. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 143.8-mile trek and keep your focus sharp. Given that the route relies on a significant percentage of highway travel, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you merge onto I-40, as this will likely be the busiest segment of your trip. Budgeting roughly $22 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside is always a wise move for any road trip. By maintaining a steady pace, you can easily complete this drive in one efficient session without feeling rushed.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.9 miles or 1h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 34m

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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN

This is one driving day of about 143.8 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altamont, 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 US 27 for about 41.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.9 mi from Altamont, TN · 1h 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cleveland, TN

72 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cleveland, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.9 miles from Altamont, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.84 one way

$43.68 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $24.08 $48.16
premium $4.80 $27.15 $54.29
diesel $5.64 $31.95 $63.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.1 0 $15.10 $6.90
Efficient EV 36 0 $12.58 $5.75
EV Truck/SUV 57.5 0 $20.13 $9.20

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Altamont, TN

Afternoon in Altamont on Sunday

Local time

3:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

4:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Cleveland, TN

72 mi in

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

3h 4m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Altamont, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 143.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 27, I 40, SR 111. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.9 miles from Altamont, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 143.8 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 48.6 miles (US 27): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Altamont, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Knoxville, TN to Altamont, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

143.3 mi 3h 1m

Explore more options from Altamont, TN or browse trips ending in Knoxville, TN.

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