Origin
Newport, TN
Afternoon in Newport on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newport, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
57m
Distance
50 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from Newport to Knoxville, this 50-mile trip is a straightforward journey through Tennessee. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 57 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $8 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping the trip highly economical. By utilizing I-40, Cosby Highway, and James White Parkway, you will navigate the Southeast region efficiently. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the brevity of this route offers great flexibility for your schedule.
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
25 miles from Newport, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your drive will be spent on major roads. The journey is dominated by a 45.7-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your trek between these two Tennessee cities. Because the vast majority of the 50 miles is interstate travel, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a winding backroad cruise. Transitioning onto the James White Parkway as you approach Knoxville marks the final phase of the drive, shifting the feel from open interstate to a more direct urban entry point.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 45.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Cosby Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 25; US 70; US 321 / East Broadway Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 50 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: near the start (US 25; US 70; US 321 / East Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 25; US 70; US 321 / East Broadway Street
Turn right onto US 25; US 70; US 321 / East Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
8
47.7 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Tennessee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 388A; 389
Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Ten...
6
47.9 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White P...
6
49.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
TN 158 / Neyland Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158 / Neyland Drive toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University o...
6
49.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 45.7 mi | 50m |
| Cosby Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| James White Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cumberland Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Neyland Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| McMahan Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 45.7 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on this road
56 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 321
94 ft
·
5 sec
·
McMahan Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 25; US 70; US 321
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto US 321; SR 32
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Cosby Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
46 mi
·
50 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 388A; 389
Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Tennessee
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
9
Continue on TN 158
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
·
James White Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Neyland Drive
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
12
Continue on Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Cumberland Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 441
393 ft
·
16 sec
·
Henley Street
14
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have the luxury of departing whenever your schedule allows without needing to stress over rest stops or meal planning. You won't need to build in extra time for breaks, as the 57-minute duration is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns when merging onto I-40, as this serves as your primary artery for nearly the entire duration of the trip. Because the route is so concentrated, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Newport, as you will be spending the vast majority of your time cruising at highway speeds.
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 25 miles from Newport, TN, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newport, 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 Newport, TN
This is one driving day of about 50 miles and 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newport, 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 45.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25 mi from Newport, TN · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25 miles from Newport, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Knoxville, TN
The final approach into Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, 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
$7.59 one way
$15.19 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.11 | $22.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15 | 0 | $5.25 | $2.40 |
| Efficient EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20 | 0 | $7.00 | $3.20 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Johnson, TN
25 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
57m 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 Newport, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 50 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Cosby Highway, James White Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25 miles from Newport, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.59 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 demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 50 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 25; US 70; US 321 / East Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Newport, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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