Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
196.4 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Brighton, TN covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Henley Street, Western Avenue, Ailor Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.2 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 52m drive with frequent turns across 196.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henley Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Western Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ailor Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 24 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chattanooga | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 41A | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Brighton, TN.
Start on Henley Street
Continue on Henley Street
Turn slight left onto Western Avenue
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
Take the exit slight right toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Turn slight right
Turn left onto West Main Street
Continue on David Crockett Highway
Continue on Sewanee Highway
Continue on Sollace M Freeman Highway
Continue on Sewanee Highway
Continue on Cumberland Street East
Continue on Cowan Highway
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Drive
Continue on David Crockett Highway
Continue on Winchester Highway
Turn left onto Flintville Road
Turn right onto Howell Hill Road
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 196.4 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.2 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Brighton, 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 Brighton, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.16 one way
$58.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.89 | $65.77 |
| premium | $4.65 | $35.99 | $71.97 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $41.01 | $82.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Knoxville on Saturday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Brighton on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
63°F
Chattanooga, TN
98 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Knoxville, TN or browse trips ending in Brighton, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
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