Origin
Pegram, TN
Afternoon in Pegram on Friday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
199.1 mi
320 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.
Pegram, TN
Google DeepMind
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 199.1 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Pegram to Knoxville is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes. You will primarily navigate via McCrory Lane and I-40 East, making it an efficient connection between these two Southeast locations. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to stress about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. It is a practical drive for travelers looking to move between these regions without an overly complicated itinerary.
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
99.6 miles from Pegram, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 199.1 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a shift in driving style as you transition from local roads to the interstate. You will begin with a turn-heavy local drive before merging onto I-40 East for the bulk of the 199.1-mile journey. While the route involves navigating McCrory Lane initially, the path settles into a more consistent highway experience. Be prepared for the contrast between the winding local sections and the sustained speed of the interstate, which keeps the drive engaging. The overall feel is functional rather than purely scenic, requiring your full attention as you navigate the transition from smaller local arteries to the main thoroughfare.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Downtown Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 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 10 significant decision points across 199.1 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 3.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 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.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 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
Take the exit toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pegram, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
Louisville
Chattanooga
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 191.4 mi | 3h 29m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| US 70 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Mc Crory Lane | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| McCrory Lane | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pegram, TN and Knoxville, TN.
Start on US 70
Turn right onto Mc Crory Lane
Continue on McCrory Lane
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 40; I 65
Continue on I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 441
Continue on US 441
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 6-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns near the major hubs. You only need to factor in one stop to keep the trip comfortable and efficient. Since you are looking at a $30 fuel cost, consider topping off your tank before leaving Pegram to avoid mid-trip delays. Make sure to stay alert during the initial turn-heavy portion of the drive, as the road conditions change significantly once you reach the highway. Keeping your pace steady is the best way to handle this distance in a single, stress-free outing.
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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 1h 51m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pegram, 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 Pegram, TN
This is one driving day of about 199.1 miles and 3h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.6 mi from Pegram, TN · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 99.6 miles from Pegram, 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 191.4 miles.
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.
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
$31.13 one way
$62.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.18 | $68.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.31 | $76.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.96 | $87.92 |
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: 69.7 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 | 59.7 | 0 | $20.91 | $9.56 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.87 | $12.74 |
Gas CO2
70 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 Pegram on Friday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Knoxville on Friday
Local time
1:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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