Origin
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Lafayette, TN
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
116.1 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Lafayette, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Knoxville to Lafayette, Tennessee, covers 116.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly transit across the Southeast. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively short, it offers a manageable pace for most drivers. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the lack of required stops means you can maintain consistent momentum from start to finish. Ultimately, this trip provides a direct connection between these two Tennessee locations with minimal logistical complexity.
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
58.1 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 91% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-40, which accounts for a 106.2-mile stretch of the drive. The experience is defined by these long, uninterrupted segments that prioritize efficiency over winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstate onto the Nashville Highway and Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway, the character of the road shifts slightly as you approach your final destination. Prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy atmosphere that favors steady cruising speed throughout the duration of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 106.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Nashville Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 75 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
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 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Nashville
5
107.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
4
110.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
US 70N / Nashville Highway
Turn left onto US 70N / Nashville Highway
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Knoxville, TN and Lafayette, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Gainesboro.
Nashville
20.1 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 40
Gainesboro
107.9 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 106.2 mi | 1h 55m |
| Nashville Highway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Western Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ailor Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 106.2 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Lafayette, 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 right at fork onto I 40
88 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
9
Turn right onto SR 56
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
10
Turn left onto US 70N
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Nashville Highway
11
Arrive at destination
US 70N; SR 96
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road when you feel most alert, as there are no scheduled stops required to complete the 116.1-mile distance. Keep in mind that with the longest stretch spanning 106.2 miles on I-40, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Knoxville to avoid unnecessary diversions. Because the route is so efficient, you can easily complete the trip in one sitting without feeling fatigued. Consider checking local traffic reports for the Nashville Highway portion of your route, as this final leg may involve more local traffic patterns compared to the open interstate.
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 58.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 58.1 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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 116.1 miles and 2h 11m.
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 40 for about 106.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 58.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.2 miles.
Arriving in Lafayette, TN
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$17.63 one way
$35.27 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.44 | $38.88 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.92 | $43.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.79 | $51.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.19 | $5.57 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.25 | $7.43 |
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
Lafayette, TN
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
58 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
2h 11m 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 Lafayette, TN covers 116.1 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Nashville Highway, Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.1 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 $17.63 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 straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Knoxville, TN and Lafayette, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Gainesboro.
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