Origin
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Friday
Local time
4:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
198.2 mi
319 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Pegram, TN
Google DeepMind
Traveling from Knoxville to Pegram spans 198.2 miles across the heart of Tennessee, making for a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 41 minutes. Because this route is easily manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-40 to traverse the state, eventually transitioning through the Downtown Loop and onto Charlotte Pike to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic transition as you move across the state. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a practical, efficient way to cross Tennessee in one go.
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
99.1 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 198.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 94% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 187 miles on I-40, which demands sustained focus behind the wheel. The personality of the road shifts from the wide-open interstate experience to more localized navigation once you hit the Downtown Loop and transition onto Charlotte Pike. Expect a steady, fast-paced rhythm for the vast majority of your time on the road. While the interstate portion is efficient, the final miles into Pegram offer a change of pace from the heavy highway traffic you encounter during the bulk of your travels.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,456 ft
Total Descent
1,811 ft
Highest Point
1,894 ft
~85 mi in
Elevation Range
1,460 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Charlotte Pike. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 198.2 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward US 70S: Bellevue, Newsom Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Newsom Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knoxville, TN and Pegram, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Nashville
Memphis
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 187 mi | 3h 24m |
| Charlotte Pike | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Memphis-Bristol Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Western Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ailor Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 70 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Pegram, TN.
Start on US 441
Continue on US 441
Turn slight left onto SR 62
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Merge onto I 40
Continue on I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 70S
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this nearly four-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near urban centers. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the long 187-mile stretch on I-40 and keep your energy levels consistent. Since the route relies so heavily on major interstates, check local traffic reports for the Downtown Loop area before you head out, as this is where you are most likely to encounter delays. Having your $30 fuel budget ready in advance helps keep your travel day stress-free. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of your departure time is your biggest advantage, so adjust your schedule to steer clear of typical rush-hour peaks.
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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.1 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pegram, 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 198.2 miles and 3h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.1 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.1 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 187 miles.
The final approach into Pegram, 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 Pegram, 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.
Regular Gas
$30.99 one way
$61.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.02 | $68.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.14 | $76.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.76 | $87.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.81 | $9.51 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.34 | $7.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.75 | $12.68 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Knoxville on Friday
Local time
4:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Pegram on Friday
Local time
3:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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