Origin
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Thursday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
129.2 mi
208 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Roan Mountain, TN
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN covers 129.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 40 East, I 81 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.20 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
64.6 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 129.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 34m drive with frequent turns across 129.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN is easy. At 2h 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | — | — |
| I 40 East | — | — |
| I 81 North | — | — |
| I 26 East | — | — |
| James H | — | — |
| University Parkway | — | — |
| Milligan Highway | — | — |
| Okolona Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Roan Mountain, TN.
1
Start on Henley Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Henley Street
2
Take the exit straight toward I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 40, I 275 North: Nashville, Asheville, Lexington
3
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 40 East: Asheville
4
Merge slight left
33 mi
·
36 min
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81 North: Bristol
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
7
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
15 mi
·
18 min
·
James H. Quillen Parkway
8
Take the exit slight right
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
9
Turn slight right
341 ft
·
8 sec
10
Merge slight left onto University Parkway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
University Parkway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Milligan Highway
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Milligan Highway
12
Turn right onto Milligan Highway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Milligan Highway
13
Turn right onto Okolona Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Okolona Road
14
Turn left onto Laurels Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Laurels Road
15
Continue on Dry Creek Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Dry Creek Road
16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Gap Creek Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Gap Creek Road
17
Turn right onto State Line Road
10 mi
·
14 min
·
State Line Road
18
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Main Street
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.6 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roan Mountain, 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 129.2 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.6 mi from Knoxville, TN · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.6 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Roan Mountain, TN
The final approach into Roan Mountain, 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 Roan Mountain, 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
$20.20 one way
$40.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.18 | $44.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.86 | $49.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.53 | $57.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
| Efficient EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.09 | $8.27 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Roan Mountain, TN
Evening in Roan Mountain on Thursday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
2h 34m 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 Roan Mountain, TN covers 129.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 40 East, I 81 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.6 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 $20.20 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN is easy. At 2h 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Knoxville, TN to Roan Mountain, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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