Origin
Baxter, TN
Afternoon in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Baxter, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
110 mi
177 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Baxter to Knoxville, this 110-mile trek is a straightforward journey through the Southeast that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the transit. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a utilitarian choice for travelers prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours. Since you are traveling within Tennessee, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. This route is an ideal candidate for those who prefer to keep their travel plans flexible and uncomplicated.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55 miles from Baxter, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 97 percent of your time will be spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, uninterrupted 107.2-mile stretch on I-40, which dominates the vast majority of your travel time. Once you approach the Knoxville area, the character of the drive shifts slightly as you transition onto 1st Avenue South and Henley Street to reach your final destination. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a winding or technical backroads experience. It is a no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate steady, predictable traffic flow across the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 107.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and 1st Avenue South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 5m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
106 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
109.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 107.2 mi | 1h 57m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Gainesboro Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Old Baxter Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 107.2 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on SR 141
92 ft
·
3 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
3
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
4
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Gainesboro Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
104 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
10
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
12
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour drive, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure to avoid peak congestion times in Knoxville. While no formal stops are required for a trip of this length, keeping a close eye on your fuel gauge is wise, as the $17 estimate is based on the 110-mile total distance. You can easily manage the entire stretch in one go, but if you prefer to break up the monotony of the 107.2-mile interstate segment, plan your intervals accordingly. Pay close attention to signage as you exit the interstate to navigate the final local transition onto Henley Street. Staying flexible with your timing will ensure you arrive in Knoxville refreshed and ready for your next stop.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55 miles from Baxter, TN, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.2 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, TN
This is one driving day of about 110 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Baxter, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 107.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55 mi from Baxter, TN · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 55 miles from Baxter, 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 107.2 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
$16.71 one way
$33.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.77 | $41.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.44 | $48.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
| Efficient EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44 | 0 | $15.40 | $7.04 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
55 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
2h 5m 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 Baxter, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 110 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, 1st Avenue South, Henley Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55 miles from Baxter, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 5m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Baxter, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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