Origin
Carthage, TN
Evening in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
6:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carthage, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
136 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carthage, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Carthage to Knoxville is a straightforward 136-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes. Given the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your Southeast travels. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you will find it to be a highly efficient way to cross Tennessee. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip offers a predictable pace that gets you to your destination without unnecessary complexity.
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
68 miles from Carthage, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by a heavy focus on highway travel, with 98% of your time spent on major roads like I-40. Expect a consistent, interstate-focused experience, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 128.8 miles on I-40 alone. You will briefly navigate via TN 25 and Upper Ferry Road, but the vast majority of your journey is a high-speed transit across the region. Because the route is so highway-dominant, the driving environment remains stable and predictable from start to finish. It is the type of trip where you can settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel without the need for frequent lane changes or technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 128.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 25. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near TN 25.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (TN 25): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
TN 25
Turn right onto TN 25
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
134.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
135.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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 | 128.8 mi | 2h 21m |
| TN 25 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Upper Ferry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 3rd Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Futtrell Alley | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 128.8 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Futtrell Alley
88 ft
·
6 sec
·
Futtrell Alley
2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
138 ft
·
13 sec
·
East 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on Upper Ferry Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Upper Ferry Road
5
Turn right onto TN 25
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 25
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
126 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
11
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your energy levels up during the 2-hour and 33-minute trek. Be mindful that because the route relies so heavily on I-40, your travel speed will be dictated by interstate traffic flow. I recommend keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Carthage to ensure a smooth, non-stop run toward Knoxville. Use that single stop to stretch your legs, as the long, 128.8-mile interstate stretch can become monotonous if you don't take a quick break to reset.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Carthage, TN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.8 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 68 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, TN
This is one driving day of about 136 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carthage, 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 128.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68 mi from Carthage, TN · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 68 miles from Carthage, 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 128.8 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
$20.66 one way
$41.31 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.77 | $45.54 |
| premium | $4.80 | $25.67 | $51.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.21 | $60.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.28 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Evening in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
7:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
68 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 33m 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 Carthage, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, TN 25, Upper Ferry Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68 miles from Carthage, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.66 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (TN 25): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carthage, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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