Trip from Smyrna, TN to Knoxville, TN

Drive Time

5h 38m

Distance

294.4 mi

474 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 25m ★

6 AM

5h 39m

8 AM

6h 5m

10 AM

5h 48m

12 PM

5h 45m

3 PM

5h 49m

5 PM

6h 4m

8 PM

5h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Smyrna, TN

Josef Traxler

Knoxville, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Smyrna, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 294.4 miles and takes about 5h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, US 641, Broadway of America for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 258.1 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.72 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

147.2 miles from Smyrna, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 38m highway drive covering 294.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 641. The longest continuous stretch is about 258.1 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 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 258.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near SR 114.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 294.4 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 4.5 miles (SR 114): Navigation decision point; at 113.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4.5 mi into trip | ~14m in | SR 114

At end of road, turn left onto SR 114

Navigation decision point

113.4 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...

116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | I 40

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...

293.3 mi into trip | ~5h 36m in

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

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...

293.7 mi into trip | ~5h 37m in

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

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...

Towns Along This Route

Between Smyrna, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.

Huntsville

113.4 mi in | ~2h 18m

Louisville

116.1 mi in | ~2h 22m | via I 40

Chattanooga

116.1 mi in | ~2h 22m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	258.1 mi	4h 40m
US 641	13.8 mi	15m
Broadway of America	5.4 mi	8m
SR 114	4.1 mi	7m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m
Buena Vista Road	2.5 mi	6m
Broad Street	2.4 mi	3m
Smyrna Road	2 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 258.1 mi, about 4h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, TN and Knoxville, TN.

Start on Buck Ditch Road

58 ft · 4 sec · Buck Ditch Road

Turn left onto Smyrna Road

2.0 mi · 7 min · Smyrna Road

At end of road, turn right onto Buena Vista Road

2.5 mi · 6 min · Buena Vista Road

At end of road, turn left onto SR 114

4.1 mi · 7 min · SR 114

At end of road, turn right onto US 70; SR 114

2.4 mi · 3 min · Broad Street

Continue on US 70

5.4 mi · 8 min · Broadway of America

Turn right onto US 70

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 70

Turn right onto US 641

14 mi · 15 min · US 641

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 40

81 mi · 1 hr 27 min · I 40

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

Continue on US 441

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Henley Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 441

255 ft · 11 sec · Henley Street

Arrive at destination

US 441

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 147.2 miles from Smyrna, TN, or about 2h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.1 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 147.2 miles or 2h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 39m

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 Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, TN

This is one driving day of about 294.4 miles and 5h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Smyrna, 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 258.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.2 mi from Smyrna, TN · 2h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hendersonville, TN

147 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

Franklin, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.2 miles from Smyrna, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258.1 miles.

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.

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.

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 132

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.72 one way

$89.43 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$49.29	$98.59
premium	$4.80	$55.58	$111.15
diesel	$5.64	$65.41	$130.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.3	1	$30.91	$14.13
Efficient EV	73.6	0	$25.76	$11.78
EV Truck/SUV	117.8	1	$41.22	$18.84

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Smyrna, TN

Afternoon in Smyrna on Monday

Local time

12:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Afternoon in Knoxville on Monday

Local time

1:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Partly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 10% chance 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

19 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

5h 38m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Smyrna, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 294.4 miles and takes about 5h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, US 641, Broadway of America. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 147.2 miles from Smyrna, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Smyrna, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Smyrna, TN or browse trips ending in Knoxville, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Smyrna, TN or Knoxville, TN on MapSof.net.

Trip from Smyrna, TN to Knoxville, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Knoxville, TN

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Smyrna, TN

Knoxville, TN

1 hour later

19 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 38m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Knoxville, TN

More from Smyrna, TN

More trips to Knoxville, TN