Origin
Hickory Withe, TN
Evening in Hickory Withe on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
363.3 mi
585 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hickory Withe, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
This 363.3-mile drive from Hickory Withe, TN, to Knoxville, TN, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 6 hours and 38 minutes. With 99% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward trip through the Southeast region of Tennessee. Your estimated fuel cost for this route is around $57. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without significant detours, making it a practical choice for a day trip.
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
181.7 miles from Hickory Withe, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 99% of the mileage on major roads like I-40 and SR 196. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 354.9 miles primarily on I-40, which means consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience. While the Downtown Loop offers a slight change of pace, the overall character is one of efficient travel across the state.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and SR 196. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near I 40.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 363.3 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 4.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hickory Withe, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
Louisville
Chattanooga
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 354.9 mi | 6h 24m |
| SR 196 | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Donelson Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory Withe, TN and Knoxville, TN.
Start on Donelson Drive
Turn left onto SR 196
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 40; I 65
Continue on I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 441
Continue on US 441
Arrive at destination
Given the 6-hour, 38-minute estimated duration, starting your journey from Hickory Withe early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. You'll have one major segment of 354.9 miles on I-40, so plan for a single main stop for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Knoxville, with an estimated cost of $57 for the trip. This route's highway focus means you can maintain a steady pace.
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.7 miles or 3h 18m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hickory Withe, 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 Hickory Withe, TN
This is one driving day of about 363.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 181.7 mi from Hickory Withe, TN · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 181.7 miles from Hickory Withe, 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 354.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$56.80 one way
$113.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $62.36 | $124.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $69.91 | $139.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.21 | $160.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109 | 1 | $38.15 | $17.44 |
| Efficient EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.79 | $14.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.3 | 1 | $50.86 | $23.25 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hickory Withe on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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