Origin
Spencer, TN
Afternoon in Spencer on Wednesday
Local time
4:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
112.4 mi
181 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spencer, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Spencer to Knoxville covers 112.4 miles of Tennessee landscape, making for a straightforward 2-hour and 23-minute journey. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will spend about $17 on fuel, which keeps the excursion budget-friendly for most travelers. The path primarily utilizes SR 111, Crossville Highway, and I-40 to navigate through the Southeast region. Since both your start and end points are located within the same state, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, this direct route offers a reliable way to connect these two Tennessee hubs.
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
56.2 miles from Spencer, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that leans heavily on highway travel, with 71% of your trip spent on major roads. After navigating local stretches, you will merge onto I-40 for a significant 67.4-mile uninterrupted segment. This transition shifts the drive from a more localized pace into a standard interstate experience. While the majority of your time is spent on high-speed thoroughfares, the route maintains a practical, efficient flow. Be prepared for the change in road types as you transition from the Crossville Highway onto the wider, more heavily trafficked interstate system.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Burritt College Drive 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN is easy. At 2h 23m 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 Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Burritt College Drive | — | — |
| Spring Street | — | — |
| Mayberry Street | — | — |
| West Bockman Way | — | — |
| Crossville Highway | — | — |
| Sparta Highway | — | — |
| Elmore Road | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Burritt College Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Sparta Street
43 ft
·
7 sec
·
Sparta Street
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
3
Turn left onto Burritt College Drive
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Burritt College Drive
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Spring Street
5
Turn left
12 mi
·
16 min
6
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
7
Keep slight right
269 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn straight onto Mayberry Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mayberry Street
9
Turn right onto West Bockman Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bockman Way
10
Continue on Crossville Highway
21 mi
·
31 min
·
Crossville Highway
11
Continue on Sparta Highway
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Sparta Highway
12
Continue on Elmore Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Elmore Road
13
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
14
Turn left onto Genesis Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Genesis Road
15
Take the ramp right
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
16
Merge slight left
64 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
17
Keep slight left
2.9 mi
·
3 min
18
Take the exit slight right toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
19
Keep slight left to continue on Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
20
Continue on Henley Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
21
Continue on Henley Street
256 ft
·
12 sec
·
Henley Street
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 23-minute travel time, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled along the 112.4-mile route, feel free to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort or fuel needs. If you find yourself nearing the end of your $17 fuel budget, consider topping off before you commit to the long 67.4-mile stretch on I-40. Staying aware of your fuel levels before hitting the interstate will ensure a smoother, stress-free arrival in Knoxville. This drive is short enough that you can easily complete it in one go, allowing you to maximize your time once you reach your destination.
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 56.2 miles from Spencer, TN, or about 1h 11m 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.2 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Spencer, 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 Spencer, TN
This is one driving day of about 112.4 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Spencer, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.2 mi from Spencer, TN · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.2 miles from Spencer, 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
$17.57 one way
$35.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.29 | $38.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.63 | $43.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.82 | $49.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.74 | $7.19 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Knoxville, TN
Evening in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
5:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 23m 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 Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 112.4 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Burritt College Drive, Spring Street, Mayberry Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.2 miles from Spencer, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.57 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.
The drive from Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN is easy. At 2h 23m 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 Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Spencer, TN to Knoxville, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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