Origin
Waverly, TN
Evening in Waverly on Sunday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waverly, TN to Knoxville, TN
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
245 mi
394 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waverly, TN
Kelly
Knoxville, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 245 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Waverly to Knoxville is a straightforward journey typically lasting 4 hours and 42 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it is well-suited for a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $37 for fuel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, making this a practical transit between the two cities. Navigating through the Southeast, you will find that the trip is easy to manage in one go without the need for an overnight stay. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over secondary roads.
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
122.5 miles from Waverly, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive dominated by highway travel, as 97% of your route consists of major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which accounts for a significant 211.5-mile uninterrupted stretch. While the journey begins with shorter segments on SR 46 and US 70, the drive quickly transitions into a steady, high-speed interstate pace. This creates a predictable rhythm behind the wheel, perfect if you prefer to cover ground efficiently. By the time you settle into the long I-40 corridor, the road feels uniform and reliable for the duration of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 211.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.4 miles in near SR 46.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 245 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 24.4 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
24.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
7
29 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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...
9
67.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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...
7
244.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m 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 Waverly, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
Huntsville
64 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Louisville
66.7 mi in
|
~1h 26m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
66.7 mi in
|
~1h 26m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 211.5 mi | 3h 50m |
| US 70 | 21.6 mi | 32m |
| SR 46 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Downtown Loop | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| West College Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Court Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 211.5 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Mill Street
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
Mill Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Court Square
330 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Court Square
3
Continue on East Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
4
Turn left onto East Acre Avenue
114 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Acre Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 70
22 mi
·
32 min
·
US 70
6
Continue on US 70 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West College Street
7
Turn right onto SR 46
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the left / none lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight lanes.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Downtown Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
17
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-five-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though leaving early helps avoid potential congestion near major hubs. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your momentum steady throughout the 245-mile trek. Given that the longest stretch is over 211 miles, make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-40 to avoid any mid-highway stress. Use the initial segments on SR 46 and US 70 to get comfortable before the heavier interstate traffic begins. Prioritizing a single, well-timed break will keep you refreshed until you reach Knoxville.
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 122.5 miles from Waverly, TN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.5 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.5 miles or 2h 27m 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 53m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, TN
This is one driving day of about 245 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waverly, 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 211.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.5 mi from Waverly, TN · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.5 miles from Waverly, 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 211.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.21 one way
$74.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.02 | $82.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.25 | $92.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.43 | $108.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.72 | $11.76 |
| Efficient EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.44 | $9.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98 | 1 | $34.30 | $15.68 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
4 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
4h 42m 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 Waverly, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 245 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 70, SR 46. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.5 miles from Waverly, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.21 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 245 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: at 24.4 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waverly, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
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