Origin
Knoxville, TN
Late night in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
2:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Clinton, TN
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
25m
Distance
18.6 mi
30 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Clinton, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 18.6-mile drive from Knoxville to Clinton, TN, will take you about 25 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward local trip, making it perfect for a single day of travel within the Southeast region. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $3, this route is budget-friendly. You'll primarily navigate via Clinton Highway and Clinch Avenue, with a small portion on I-275. Given its brevity, no overnight stay is required; you can easily accomplish this trip in one recommended day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
9.3 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Only about 12% of the journey involves highway driving. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 11.7 miles along Clinton Highway. This profile suggests a drive with frequent intersections and changes in speed, characteristic of navigating through populated areas and local roads. You'll likely experience a varied driving pace as you transition between different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Clinton Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.7 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 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.6 miles you will encounter 6 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese 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,...
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Nashville, Lexington: I 275 North, I 40 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Nashville, Lexington: I 275 North, I 40...
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 275 North: Lexington
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, US 25W North, I 640: Clinton, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward I 75 South, US 25W North, I 640: Clinton...
4
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Clinton, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
3.4 mi in
|
~4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton Highway | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| Clinch Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| I 275 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Clinton Highway
— 11.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Clinton, 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 left at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Nashville, Lexington: I 275 North, I 40 West
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 275 North: Lexington
5
Continue on I 275
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 275
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 3
Toward I 75 South, US 25W North, I 640: Clinton, Asheville
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
8
Continue on US 25W
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Clinton Highway
9
Continue on US 25W
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Clinch Avenue
10
Continue on US 25W
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Main Street
11
Turn right onto Market Street
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
Market Street
12
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this quick 25-minute trip, departure time is flexible, but leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid any local traffic. Since the drive is so short, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. The estimated fuel cost is just $3, so you won't need to worry much about refueling. Keep an eye out for the many turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy' profile, especially as you transition onto Clinton Highway, which constitutes the longest stretch of your journey.
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 9.3 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 18.6 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.3 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 18.6 miles and 25m.
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 Clinton Highway for about 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.3 mi from Knoxville, TN · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.3 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clinton, TN
The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, 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
$2.91 one way
$5.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.19 | $6.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.58 | $7.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.11 | $8.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.63 | $0.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.60 | $1.19 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Clinton, TN
Late night in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
2:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Johnson, TN
9 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
1 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
25m 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 Clinton, TN covers 18.6 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Clinton Highway, Clinch Avenue, I 275. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.3 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 $2.91 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 18.6 miles you will encounter 6 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Clinton, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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