Trip from Fayetteville, TN to Knoxville, TN

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

204.4 mi

329 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m

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

Downtown Fayetteville, TN, TN

Fayetteville, TN

Kelly

Downtown Knoxville, TN, TN

Knoxville, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Fayetteville to Knoxville, expect a 211.1-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway sprint, it functions best as a focused one-day excursion. You should budget about $31 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee hubs. Since the route avoids interstates entirely, you will be navigating local roads for the duration of your travel. It is a straightforward trip if you prefer backroads over high-speed traffic, making it a solid choice for drivers who enjoy staying off the main arteries.

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

102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a hands-on driving experience, as this route consists of 0% highway travel. You will navigate a series of winding local roads, including Winchester Highway, Mulberry Avenue, and College Street East, which define the technical nature of the trip. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on College Street East, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the turns and local road conditions. This is not a monotonous cruise; the personality of the road requires your full attention as you transition between these smaller routes. Expect a consistent, turn-heavy character that remains steady from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 99.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 64 Business / College Street East.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 204.4 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: near the start (US 64 Business / College Street East): Navigation decision point; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 64 Business / College Street East

Turn right onto US 64 Business / College Street East

Navigation decision point

5
34.6 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

8
100.3 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
6
203.3 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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
203.7 mi into trip | ~3h 57m 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 99.2 mi 1h 49m
I 24 50.5 mi 58m
Winchester Highway 16.8 mi 19m
David Crockett Highway 13.5 mi 15m
Sewanee Highway 6.8 mi 10m
Veterans Memorial Drive 3.7 mi 4m
I 40 2.9 mi 3m
Cumberland Street West 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 431

79 ft · 5 sec · Main Avenue South
2

Turn right onto US 64 Business

0.2 mi · 21 sec · College Street East
3

Continue on US 64 Business

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Mulberry Avenue
4

Continue on US 64 Business

17 mi · 19 min · Winchester Highway
5

Continue on US 64

13 mi · 14 min · David Crockett Highway
6

Continue on US 64

3.7 mi · 4 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
8

Keep slight right at fork

184 ft · 5 sec
9

Turn straight onto US 41A

1.7 mi · 2 min · Cowan Highway
10

Continue on US 41A

2.6 mi · 3 min · Cumberland Street West
11

Continue on US 41A

5.0 mi · 7 min · Sewanee Highway
12

Continue on US 41A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sollace M Freeman Highway
13

Continue on US 41A

1.8 mi · 2 min · Sewanee Highway
14

Continue on US 41A

0.4 mi · 36 sec · David Crockett Highway
15

Continue on US 41A

1.3 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
16

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
17

Merge onto I 24; US 64

51 mi · 58 min · I 24;US 64
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 185 B Toward I 75 North: Knoxville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 75

99 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 40
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
23

Continue on US 441

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on US 441

255 ft · 11 sec · Henley Street
25

Arrive at destination

US 441

Trip Plan

Since you are looking at a 3-hour and 16-minute drive on local roads, try to depart early in the day to navigate the turns with better visibility. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the technical driving and keep your energy levels consistent. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like Winchester Highway, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that appear more frequently than they would on an interstate. Keep your fuel budget of $31 in mind while selecting your refueling spots, as local roads may have fewer service options than major highways. Embracing the flexibility of this route allows you to pace your travel comfortably without the pressure of heavy interstate traffic.

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 102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 102.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 16m

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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, TN

This is one driving day of about 204.4 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fayetteville, 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 75 for about 99.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 102.2 mi from Fayetteville, TN · 2h 4m into the drive

Downtown Chattanooga, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chattanooga, TN

102 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.

Popular next leg

Chattanooga, TN to Knoxville, TN

111.4 mi · 2h 8m

Pacing Suggestions

Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

East Chattanooga, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.05 one way

$62.09 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $34.22 $68.45
premium $4.80 $38.59 $77.17
diesel $5.64 $45.41 $90.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81
Efficient EV 51.1 0 $17.88 $8.18
EV Truck/SUV 81.8 1 $28.62 $13.08

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fayetteville, TN

Night in Fayetteville on Sunday

Local time

10:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Night in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

11:04 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

3 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 58m 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 Fayetteville, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 204.4 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 24, Winchester Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.05 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 9 significant decision points across 204.4 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: near the start (US 64 Business / College Street East): Navigation decision point; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fayetteville, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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