Origin
Knoxville, TN
Morning in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Hunter, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
118.4 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Hunter, TN
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
This straightforward drive from Knoxville, TN to Hunter, TN covers 118.4 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The majority of this journey, 95%, is on highways, making it a relatively efficient transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. This route is primarily a highway-focused experience, designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
59.2 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused drive on this route, with 95% of the miles utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 56.6 miles. The drive progresses primarily along I-81 and I-40 before transitioning to the James H. Quillen Parkway. While predominantly highway, the shift to the Parkway at the end offers a slight change in scenery and road type as you approach Hunter.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 118.4 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 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; at 34.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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,...
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
6
34.1 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
90.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...
6
106.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
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 Hunter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
Asheville
90.7 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| I 40 | 33.2 mi | 36m |
| James H. Quillen Parkway | 15.1 mi | 18m |
| University Parkway | 7.5 mi | 12m |
| Broad Street | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| Stony Creek Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Henley Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hope Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Hunter, 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 right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
4
Merge onto I 40
33 mi
·
36 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 57A
Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
7
Merge onto I 26; US 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 24
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn slight right
342 ft
·
8 sec
10
Merge onto US 321; SR 67
7.5 mi
·
12 min
·
University Parkway
11
Turn slight left onto US 321; SR 67
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Broad Street
12
Turn right onto SR 91
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Stony Creek Road
13
Turn left
401 ft
·
17 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Hope Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour, 19-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 56 miles on I-81, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-40 to the James H. Quillen Parkway as you near your destination; it's a key point in navigating the final miles.
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 59.2 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 5m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hunter, 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 118.4 miles and 2h 19m.
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 81 for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 59.2 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hunter, TN
The final approach into Hunter, 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 Hunter, 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
$18.51 one way
$37.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.32 | $40.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.79 | $45.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.14 | $52.28 |
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: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.43 | $5.68 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.58 | $7.58 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Hunter, TN
Morning in Hunter on Wednesday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
8 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 19m 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 Hunter, TN covers 118.4 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, I 40, James H. Quillen Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.2 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 $18.51 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 118.4 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 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; at 34.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Hunter, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Asheville along the way.
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