Origin
Collegedale, TN
Afternoon in Collegedale on Thursday
Local time
3:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Collegedale, TN to Knoxville, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
96.8 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Collegedale, TN
Davide Comunian
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 96.8-mile drive from Collegedale, TN, to Knoxville, TN, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major interstates like I-75 and I-40. You'll find the estimated fuel cost to be around $15, making it an economical option for a quick journey within the Southeast region. Since there are no designated stops in the data, this drive is best suited for those who prefer to reach their destination efficiently, with the flexibility to stop as needed. It's a practical choice for a quick transition between two points in Tennessee.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 96.8-mile route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The bulk of your time will be spent on I-75, including one uninterrupted stretch of 89.1 miles. This means you'll be navigating mostly fast-paced, multi-lane roads designed for efficient travel. While the data doesn't detail specific scenic changes, the character is that of a modern interstate drive, prioritizing directness over winding backroads. The transition from Collegedale to Knoxville is primarily about covering ground quickly on well-maintained highways.
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 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near SR 321 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.8 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 1.1 miles (SR 321 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SR 321 / Main Street
Turn right onto SR 321 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
95.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
96 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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 75 | 89.1 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 40 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Apison Pike | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Lee Highway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Colcord Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 89.1 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collegedale, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Colcord Drive
70 ft
·
7 sec
·
Colcord Drive
2
Turn left onto SR 317
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Apison Pike
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 317
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Apison Pike
4
Turn right onto SR 321
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto US 11; US 64
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lee Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
89 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 75
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
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
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous departure. Leaving Collegedale in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Knoxville without feeling rushed. You can easily complete this 96.8-mile journey on a single tank of gas, with an estimated fuel cost of $15. The primary roads, I-75 and I-40, are well-maintained, but always be aware of potential traffic, especially as you approach Knoxville. Since no specific stops are recommended, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along I-75 during the longest stretch of the drive.
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 48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.1 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 55m 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 29m
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 Collegedale, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Collegedale, TN
This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Collegedale, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 89.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.4 mi from Collegedale, TN · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.13 one way
$30.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.62 | $33.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.63 | $37.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 Thursday
Local time
3:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Athens, TN
48 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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 Collegedale, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 96.8 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 40, Main 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 48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.13 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.8 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 1.1 miles (SR 321 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Collegedale, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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