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 Cleveland, TN
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
83.3 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Stretching 83.3 miles through Southeast Tennessee, this straightforward drive from Knoxville to Cleveland typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on major interstates, making it an efficient trip that is easily manageable in a single day. Budget approximately $13 for fuel to cover the distance, which is quite economical for a direct point-to-point excursion. Because the commute is relatively short, there is no need to split this into an overnight trip. Whether you are heading south for business or personal travel, the route is designed for speed and convenience rather than leisurely sightseeing.
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
41.7 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 94% of this journey is spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on I-40 and I-75 to navigate the majority of the terrain. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a long, 59.9-mile stretch on I-75, where you can maintain a steady pace. As you approach your destination, the route transitions from the main interstate onto Keith Street to finalize your arrival. This is a utilitarian drive that prioritizes direct transit over winding backroads or technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
5
80 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward SR 60: Cleveland, Dayton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 60: Cleveland, Dayton
5
80.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
TN 60 / Georgetown Road Northwest
Turn right onto TN 60 / Georgetown Road Northwest
Navigation decision point
6
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
Inman Street West
Turn left onto Inman Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 59.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 40 | 18.3 mi | 21m |
| Keith Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Western Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 25th Street NW | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Ailor Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Inman Street West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 25th Street Northwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Cleveland, 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 left at fork onto I 75
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward SR 60: Cleveland, Dayton
9
Turn right onto TN 60
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Georgetown Road Northwest
10
Continue on TN 60
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
11
Continue on TN 60
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
25th Street NW
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on TN 60
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
25th Street Northwest
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto US 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Keith Street
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto Inman Street West
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inman Street West
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though staying mindful of peak traffic hours on I-75 is always a smart move. Because the entire drive is under two hours, you likely won't need to plan for formal stops, allowing you to reach Cleveland in one smooth push. Keep your $13 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you aren't paying premium prices near the highway interchanges. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the Keith Street exit early, as it serves as your primary transition into the local Cleveland area. Enjoy the simplicity of this short, predictable commute.
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 41.7 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 47m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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 83.3 miles and 1h 34m.
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 75 for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.7 mi from Knoxville, TN · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 41.7 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cleveland, TN
The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, 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
$12.65 one way
$25.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.73 | $31.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.51 | $37.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.75 | $4.00 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.29 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.66 | $5.33 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Cleveland, TN
Evening in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
42 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
3 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
1h 34m 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 Cleveland, TN covers 83.3 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 40, Keith Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.7 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 $12.65 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Knoxville, TN to Cleveland, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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