Origin
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Baxter, TN
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
109.6 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit across Tennessee, the 109.6-mile drive from Knoxville to Baxter is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. The route stays entirely within the Southeast region, ensuring you remain in familiar territory as you head west. It is an ideal choice if you prioritize speed and simplicity over complex navigation. Overall, this is a practical trip for those looking to move between these two Tennessee points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.8 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 97% of this drive is spent on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a 106.2-mile stretch of the journey. While you will navigate short segments on 1st Avenue South and Western Avenue to start or finish your trip, the personality of this drive is undeniably highway-focused. It is a steady, consistent interstate grind that favors direct travel over winding backroads. Being behind the wheel here means settling into a cruising rhythm, as the route is designed for getting you to your destination with as few interruptions as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 106.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and 1st Avenue South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 75 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
20.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Nashville
5
107.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
4
108.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
SR 56 / Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
Turn right onto SR 56 / Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Baxter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
20.1 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 106.2 mi | 1h 55m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| Western Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ailor Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Old Baxter Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.2 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Baxter, TN.
1
Start on US 441
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Henley Street
2
Continue on US 441
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Henley Street
3
Turn slight left onto SR 62
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Ailor Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
6
Merge onto I 40
18 mi
·
21 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
88 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
9
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
10
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
11
Turn left onto SR 141
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
12
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 109.6-mile distance in one go, meaning you don't need to worry about planning a structured stop for rest or food unless you want one. Keep in mind that because you are spending nearly the entire time on I-40, traffic patterns on the interstate will be the primary factor affecting your total travel time. Fill up your tank before you leave Knoxville to keep your $17 fuel budget on track. A helpful tip for this route is to check real-time traffic alerts specifically for the I-40 corridor before you pull out of your driveway to ensure your 2-hour-and-4-minute estimate remains accurate.
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 54.8 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN
This is one driving day of about 109.6 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 106.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.8 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 54.8 miles from Knoxville, 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 106.2 miles.
Arriving in Baxter, TN
The final approach into Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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
$16.65 one way
$33.29 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.35 | $36.70 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.69 | $41.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.35 | $48.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.59 | $4.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.34 | $7.01 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Baxter, TN
Afternoon in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
55 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
2h 4m 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 Knoxville, TN to Baxter, TN covers 109.6 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, 1st Avenue South, Western Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.8 miles from Knoxville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.65 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 is a straightforward 2h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Baxter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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