Origin
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Burns, TN
Drive Time
4h
Distance
214.5 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Burns, TN
ArtHouse Studio
Trip Overview
Spanning 214.5 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Knoxville to Burns is a straightforward journey typically lasting about 4 hours. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it an efficient option for those looking to cross the state. Budgeting approximately $33 for fuel will cover your transit across the Southeast. Since the trip is relatively short, you likely won't need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between two distinct Tennessee communities.
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
107.3 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 98% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a 201.8-mile stretch of the journey, offering a predictable and consistent driving experience. While the route integrates Highway 96 and a Downtown Loop, these segments are minor compared to the primary interstate portion. Do not anticipate many technical turns or slow-moving backroads; this is a functional, highway-heavy drive designed for steady progress. Behind the wheel, you will mostly focus on maintaining pace along the interstate as the landscape transitions across the region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 201.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Highway 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 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 13 significant decision points across 214.5 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 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
20.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
9
174.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
177.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
7
180.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
206.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 182
Toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Towns Along This Route
Between Knoxville, TN and Burns, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
20.1 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 40
Memphis
177.1 mi in
|
~3h 14m
|
via I 40
Louisville
178.2 mi in
|
~3h 15m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 201.8 mi | 3h 40m |
| Highway 96 | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Western Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ailor Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 201.8 mi, about 3h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Burns, 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
155 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 210A
Toward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, Louisville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 182
Toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto SR 96
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 96
15
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Church Street
16
Arrive at destination
SR 47
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near urban centers. Since you only have one planned stop on the itinerary, pace yourself by taking a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep in mind that with over 200 miles of interstate travel, your fuel efficiency will be the primary factor in staying within your $33 budget. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before leaving the main interstate, as the transition onto Highway 96 and the Downtown Loop may offer fewer immediate refueling options than the heavily serviced I-40 corridor. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to reach your destination in Burns without the need for a complex travel schedule.
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 107.3 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.8 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 107.3 miles or 1h 58m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burns, 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 214.5 miles and 4h.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 201.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.3 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.3 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 201.8 miles.
Arriving in Burns, TN
The final approach into Burns, 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 Burns, 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
$32.58 one way
$65.16 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.92 | $71.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.49 | $80.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.65 | $95.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.52 | $10.30 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.03 | $13.73 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Burns, TN
Afternoon in Burns on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
23 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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Burns, TN covers 214.5 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Highway 96, 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 107.3 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 $32.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 214.5 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 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Knoxville, TN and Burns, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
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