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Trip from Hickory Withe, TN to Knoxville, TN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 27m ★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m

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

Downtown Hickory Withe, TN, TN

Hickory Withe, TN

Kelly

city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 354.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
9
182.3 mi into trip | ~3h 19m 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
185.5 mi into trip | ~3h 23m 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
362.2 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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
362.6 mi into trip | ~6h 37m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs

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

182.3 mi in | ~3h 19m

Louisville

185 mi in | ~3h 22m | via I 40

Chattanooga

185 mi in | ~3h 22m | via I 40

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 40 — 354.9 mi, about 6h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Donelson Drive

34 ft · 2 sec · Donelson Drive
2

Turn left onto SR 196

3.7 mi · 6 min · SR 196
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
4

Merge onto I 40

178 mi · 3 hr 11 min · I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

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.
6

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

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.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 40
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
12

Continue on US 441

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 441

255 ft · 11 sec · Henley Street
14

Arrive at destination

US 441

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.7 miles from Hickory Withe, TN, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 354.9 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hickory Withe, 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 354.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Hendersonville, TN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Hohenwald, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Nashville, TN

Meal break

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 check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 354.9 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

$56.80 one way

$113.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hickory Withe, TN

Evening in Hickory Withe on Wednesday

Local time

7:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Evening in Knoxville on Wednesday

Local time

8:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

19 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

6h 38m 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 Hickory Withe, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 363.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, SR 196, 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 181.7 miles from Hickory Withe, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.80 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 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.
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.
Between Hickory Withe, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.

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