Trip from Knoxville, TN to Bean Station, TN

Drive Time

56m

Distance

47.7 mi

77 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 52m ★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m

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

Downtown Knoxville, TN, TN

Knoxville, TN

Kelly

Downtown Bean Station, TN, TN

Bean Station, TN

Haberdoedas Photography

Trip Overview

If you are planning to head from Knoxville to Bean Station, you are looking at a manageable 47.7-mile journey that typically takes about 56 minutes. This route serves as a straightforward day trip, requiring only a single day to complete comfortably without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate the transition from the city using a combination of I-40 East and US 11W. With an estimated fuel cost of just $7, it is an economical trip for those looking to reach their destination quickly. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout the transit.

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

23.9 miles from Knoxville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you start your journey on I-40, the route quickly transitions into a more technical driving experience as you navigate toward Bean Station. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a drive that relies on local roads rather than high-speed, limited-access corridors. This setup requires you to stay alert behind the wheel as the road conditions shift from the initial highway segments into the more winding local sections. You will find that the lack of long, uninterrupted stretches keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Rutledge Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 28.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the exit toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville,...
5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Asheville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 40 East: Asheville
4
4.9 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo
7
5.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean S...
4
46.9 mi into trip | ~54m in | Old US 11W / Main Street

Turn left onto Old US 11W / Main Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between Knoxville, TN and Bean Station, TN, road signs point toward Blaine and Rutledge.

Blaine

5.1 mi in | ~7m

Rutledge

5.1 mi in | ~7m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Rutledge Pike 28.5 mi 32m
Lee Highway 11.5 mi 13m
I 40 4.1 mi 4m
Appalachian Highway 1.7 mi 1m
Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Henley Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Rutledge Pike — 28.5 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 441

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Henley Street
2

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington
3

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
4

Merge onto I 40

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 40
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 11W: Knoxville Zoo
6

Keep slight right at fork

391 ft · 9 sec
Toward US 11W: Mascot, Blaine, Rutledge, Bean Station
7

Continue on US 11W

29 mi · 32 min · Rutledge Pike
8

Continue on US 11W; SR 1

12 mi · 13 min · Lee Highway
9

Merge onto US 11W; US 25E; SR 1; SR 32; ADHS S

1.7 mi · 1 min · Appalachian Highway
10

Turn left onto Old US 11W

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
11

Arrive at destination

Old US 11W

Trip Plan

Because this is a short 56-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about complex refueling strategies or long-haul rest stops, as the $7 fuel budget covers the entire distance easily. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid traveling during peak congestion hours to ensure a smoother experience on the local roads. Since there are no designated stops required, you can focus on a steady pace that gets you to Bean Station efficiently. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from the interstate to US 11W to ensure you maintain your heading without unnecessary detours.

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 23.9 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.5 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 47.7 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 23.9 miles or 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bean Station, 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 47.7 miles and 56m.

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 Rutledge Pike for about 28.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.9 mi from Knoxville, TN · 28m into the drive

Downtown Johnson, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Johnson, TN

24 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

Kingsport, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.9 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bean Station, TN

The final approach into Bean Station, 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 Bean Station, 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

$7.25 one way

$14.49 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $7.99 $15.97
premium $4.80 $9.00 $18.01
diesel $5.64 $10.60 $21.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 14.3 0 $5.01 $2.29
Efficient EV 11.9 0 $4.17 $1.91
EV Truck/SUV 19.1 0 $6.68 $3.05

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (65% 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

Knoxville, TN

Evening in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

6:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bean Station, TN

Evening in Bean Station on Sunday

Local time

6:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

61°F

Johnson, TN

24 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

4 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

56m 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 Bean Station, TN covers 47.7 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Rutledge Pike, Lee Highway, I 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.9 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 $7.25 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 47.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Knoxville, TN and Bean Station, TN, road signs point toward Blaine and Rutledge.

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