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Trip from Knoxville, TN to Germantown, TN

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

7h

Distance

379.5 mi

611 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 0m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 8m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 9m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 53m

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

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

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Germantown, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 379.5-mile drive from Knoxville to Germantown, Tennessee, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 7 hours. With 98% of the route on major highways, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, making it a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $59, and you'll encounter a couple of planned stops along the way. Since both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, expect a familiar driving environment throughout your travels.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

189.8 miles from Knoxville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The bulk of your journey, a continuous stretch of 366.9 miles, will be on I-40, offering a consistent pace. While the "Downtown Loop" and North Germantown Parkway will introduce some city-like driving near your destination, the majority of this drive is about covering distance efficiently on high-speed roads. This profile suggests a less varied landscape and more of a direct transit feel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 366.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and North Germantown Parkway. 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 379.5 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 points

These 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 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 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
7
371.5 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in

Take the exit toward TN 177 South: Germantown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 16A Toward TN 177 South: Germantown

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 Germantown, 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 40 366.9 mi 6h 38m
North Germantown Parkway 5.4 mi 8m
Downtown Loop 2.9 mi 3m
South Germantown Road 2.2 mi 4m
Western Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Ailor Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Henley Street 0.3 mi <1m
Southern Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 366.9 mi, about 6h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Germantown, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 40
Toward Nashville Use the 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 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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

191 mi · 3 hr 26 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Memphis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 16A Toward TN 177 South: Germantown Use the right lane.
14

Turn straight onto TN 177

5.4 mi · 8 min · North Germantown Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on TN 177

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Germantown Road
16

Turn left onto Southern Avenue

175 ft · 7 sec · Southern Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

Southern Avenue

Trip Plan

To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Knoxville to avoid potential traffic congestion. With a 7-hour estimated duration and only two planned stops, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 366.9 miles on I-40; plan your refueling accordingly. Given the highway-centric nature, aim to use rest areas strategically for breaks rather than searching for unique roadside attractions.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189.8 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 366.9 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 83 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 189.8 miles or 3h 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 5h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Germantown, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Knoxville, TN

This is one driving day of about 379.5 miles and 7h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 366.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 189.8 mi from Knoxville, TN · 3h 28m into the drive

capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nashville, TN

190 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

Johnson, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 189.8 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 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 366.9 miles.

Arriving in Germantown, TN

The final approach into Germantown, 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 Germantown, 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

$59.33 one way

$118.66 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $65.14 $130.29
premium $4.89 $73.03 $146.06
diesel $5.61 $83.79 $167.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 113.9 1 $39.85 $18.22
Efficient EV 94.9 1 $33.21 $15.18
EV Truck/SUV 151.8 1 $53.13 $24.29

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 1 hour ago

Origin

Knoxville, TN

Morning in Knoxville on Wednesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Germantown, TN

Late night in Germantown on Wednesday

Local time

5:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

9 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

7h on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Germantown, TN covers 379.5 miles and takes about 7h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, North Germantown Parkway, 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 189.8 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 $59.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 379.5 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 Germantown, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Germantown, TN to Knoxville, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

379.9 mi 7h 1m

Explore more options from Knoxville, TN or browse trips ending in Germantown, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

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