Trip from Knoxville, TN to Fairmount, TN

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

124.2 mi

200 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 18m ★

6 AM

2h 28m

8 AM

2h 48m

10 AM

2h 35m

12 PM

2h 33m

3 PM

2h 36m

5 PM

2h 47m

8 PM

2h 22m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Fairmount, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 124.2-mile journey from Knoxville, TN to Fairmount, TN is a straightforward drive, taking approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $19. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, making it a highly efficient way to travel within the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience that gets you to your destination without much fuss. Given its manageable distance and duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility for departure times and potential brief pauses along the way.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.1 miles from Knoxville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 124.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The bulk of this drive, 90% to be exact, is on major highways, offering a consistent and fast-paced travel experience. You'll encounter an 83.1-mile stretch on I-75, which will be the longest uninterrupted segment. This profile means you'll be spending most of your time on the interstate, with minimal time on local roads. The drive is designed for efficiency, so don't expect many winding scenic byways; instead, anticipate a clear path marked by the familiar signs of interstate travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 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 83.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. 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 75.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 124.2 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

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. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga

103.2 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

109.7 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | US 27

Take the exit onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

109.9 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | US 27

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

110 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | US 27

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Knoxville, TN and Fairmount, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain.

Nashville

103.2 mi in | ~1h 55m

Chattanooga

103.9 mi in | ~1h 56m | via I 24

Lookout Mountain

109.7 mi in | ~2h 4m | via US 27

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	83.1 mi	1h 31m
I 40	18.3 mi	21m
I 24	5.8 mi	7m
US 27	4.4 mi	5m
Taft Highway	4.4 mi	6m
Signal Mountain Boulevard	3 mi	4m
Signal Mountain Road	1.6 mi	2m
Western Avenue	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 441

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Henley Street

Continue on US 441

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Henley Street

Turn slight left onto SR 62

0.7 mi · 1 min · Western Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Ailor Avenue

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 40 West, I 75 South

Merge onto I 40

18 mi · 21 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 75

Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 24

5.8 mi · 7 min · I 24

Toward Chattanooga, Nashville

Take the exit onto US 27

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 27

Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 27

Exit 178 Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 27

4.0 mi · 5 min · US 27

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec

Turn straight onto US 127

1.6 mi · 2 min · Signal Mountain Road

Continue on US 127

3.0 mi · 4 min · Signal Mountain Boulevard

Continue on US 127

4.4 mi · 6 min · Taft Highway

Turn right onto Gahagan Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Gahagan Road

At end of road, turn left onto Fairmount Pike

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fairmount Pike

Turn right onto North Fairmount Road

52 ft · 2 sec · North Fairmount Road

Arrive at destination

North Fairmount Road

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 28-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you leave Knoxville. Since it's a relatively short trip with no designated stops in the data, you can easily complete it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before starting the 83.1-mile stretch on I-75, to ensure you have enough to reach Fairmount or a convenient upcoming exit. The straightforward nature of this route means planning for extensive rest breaks isn't necessary, allowing you to arrive refreshed.

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 62.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 27 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.1 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, 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 124.2 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Knoxville, TN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 83.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.1 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 10m into the drive

city in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lebanon, TN

62 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

Lenoir City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Athens, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.

Arriving in Fairmount, TN

The final approach into Fairmount, 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 Fairmount, 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

$19.42 one way

$38.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$21.32	$42.64
premium	$4.89	$23.90	$47.80
diesel	$5.61	$27.42	$54.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.3	$13.04	$5.96
Efficient EV	31.1	$10.87	$4.97
EV Truck/SUV	49.7	$17.39	$7.95

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

15 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Knoxville, TN

Night in Knoxville on Thursday

Local time

9:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmount, TN

Night in Fairmount on Thursday

Local time

9:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°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

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 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 28m 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 Fairmount, TN covers 124.2 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, I 40, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 62.1 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 $19.42 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.