Origin
Nashville, TN
Afternoon in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
2:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Alcoa, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
182.4 mi
294 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Alcoa, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Nashville, TN to Alcoa, TN covers 182.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m 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 24, Pellissippi Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.3 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.52 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
91.2 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 84.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 24 | 80.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| Pellissippi Parkway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| North Wright Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Alcoa Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| James Robertson Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 84.3 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Alcoa, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
451 ft
·
9 sec
·
Interstate Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 24 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40
84 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, Maryville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 376B
Toward I 140 East: Maryville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 140
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Pellissippi Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 11A
Toward US 129 South: Alcoa, Maryville
13
Merge onto US 129; TN 115
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Alcoa Highway
14
Take the exit
332 ft
·
10 sec
15
Turn left onto North Wright Road
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Wright Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto East Edison Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Edison Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Springbrook Road
94 ft
·
3 sec
·
Springbrook Road
18
Turn left onto Springbrook Road
115 ft
·
5 sec
·
Springbrook Road
19
Continue on Springbrook Road
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Springbrook Road
20
Arrive at destination
Springbrook Road
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.2 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.3 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.2 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alcoa, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 182.4 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Nashville, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 84.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.2 miles from Nashville, 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 84.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 167.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 24 East
9
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
7
167.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ridge, Maryville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 140 East, Primary SR 162 North: Oak Ri...
9
167.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 East: Maryville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 376B
Toward I 140 East: Maryville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.52 one way
$57.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.31 | $62.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.10 | $70.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.27 | $80.54 |
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: 63.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.15 | $8.76 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73 | 0 | $25.54 | $11.67 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Alcoa, TN
Afternoon in Alcoa on Saturday
Local time
3:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 18.9
View on nps.gov
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 182.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
182.4 mi in 3h 27m, mostly highway — 84.3 mi of that is on I 40.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 182.4 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 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nashville, TN and Alcoa, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 162 North: Oak Ridge and Maryville.
Primary Sr 162 North: Oak Ridge
167.4 mi in
|
~3h 5m
Maryville
167.4 mi in
|
~3h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 182.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Alcoa, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Alcoa, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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