Origin
Brownsville, TN
Evening in Brownsville on Sunday
Local time
7:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brownsville, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
6h 7m
Distance
332.4 mi
535 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 54m
★
6 AM
6h 7m
8 AM
6h 33m
10 AM
6h 16m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 17m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Brownsville to Knoxville is a straightforward journey covering 332.4 miles across the state. Expect roughly 6 hours and 7 minutes of total travel time, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which serves as the primary artery for this transit. Budgeting approximately $50 for fuel should cover the cost of the trip, provided your vehicle maintains standard efficiency. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic transition as you move eastward. While it is certainly feasible to complete this drive in one day, having a single stop planned can help break up the monotony of the long interstate haul.
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
166.2 miles from Brownsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 96% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will settle into a long, uninterrupted stretch of 318.2 miles on I-40, which demands steady focus and patience behind the wheel. The route shifts slightly as you navigate East Main Street and the Downtown Loop at your destination, providing a brief change of pace from the interstate. Because the drive is heavily highway-focused, you can expect a consistent, high-speed environment rather than technical, winding backroads. It is a classic interstate grind that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over scenic, slow-moving detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 318.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 151.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 332.4 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 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
151.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
154.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
328.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
331.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m 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
331.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m 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 Brownsville, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
151.4 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Louisville
154.1 mi in
|
~2h 50m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
154.1 mi in
|
~2h 50m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 318.2 mi | 5h 45m |
| East Main Street | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Washington Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Lafayette Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 318.2 mi, about 5h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownsville, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on TN 54
301 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Washington Avenue
2
Continue on North Lafayette Avenue
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Lafayette Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
317 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
East Main Street
5
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 66
Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
6
Merge onto I 40
141 mi
·
2 hr 32 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
14
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 332.4-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid congestion near major transit hubs. Plan for at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs, as the 318.2-mile stretch on I-40 can feel repetitive after several hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge; while $50 is a solid estimate, fluctuations in local gas prices along the interstate can impact your final spending. Since this route is optimized for a single day, use your flexibility to time your arrival in Knoxville around traffic patterns to ensure a smooth transition off the highway. Prioritize safety during the long interstate segments by taking advantage of the designated rest areas to maintain your focus.
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 166.2 miles from Brownsville, TN, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 318.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.2 miles or 3h 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 5h
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 Brownsville, 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 Brownsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 332.4 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brownsville, 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 318.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.2 mi from Brownsville, TN · 3h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 166.2 miles from Brownsville, 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 318.2 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
$50.49 one way
$100.98 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.66 | $111.31 |
| premium | $4.80 | $62.75 | $125.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $73.85 | $147.70 |
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: 116.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.7 | 1 | $34.90 | $15.96 |
| Efficient EV | 83.1 | 0 | $29.08 | $13.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133 | 1 | $46.54 | $21.27 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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
8:59 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 7m 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 Brownsville, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 332.4 miles and takes about 6h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, East Main Street, 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 166.2 miles from Brownsville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.49 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 332.4 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 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Brownsville, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
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