Origin
Alexandria, TN
Late night in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, TN to Knoxville, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
141.6 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alexandria, TN to Knoxville, TN is 141.6 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on Interstate 40, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently. Consider this route when you need a reliable and predictable journey.
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
70.8 miles from Alexandria, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 133 mi | 2h 25m |
| Alexandria Highway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Edgewood Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Edgewood Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Henley Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| SR 141 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 133 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on West Main Street
53 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto Edgewood Street
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Edgewood Street
3
Continue on Edgewood Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Edgewood Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 53
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Alexandria Highway
5
Continue on SR 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
SR 141
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
130 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 388
Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
11
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 441
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henley Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2h 38m drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever is most convenient, though an early morning start will help you avoid any potential afternoon traffic entering Knoxville. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, be sure to fuel up before you depart or at a convenient point along I 40. There is one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break midway or near the end of your longest stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch without services can be substantial.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.8 miles from Alexandria, TN, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.8 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
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 Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, TN
This is one driving day of about 141.6 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Alexandria, 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 133 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.8 miles from Alexandria, 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 133 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 140.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Edgewood Street
Turn left onto Edgewood Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
SR 53 / Alexandria Highway
At end of road, turn left onto SR 53 / Alexandria Highway
Navigation decision point
5
7.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
140.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 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...
7
140.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.14 one way
$44.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.31 | $48.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.25 | $54.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.26 | $62.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.39 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.82 | $9.06 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Morning in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
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
2 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
2h 38m 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.
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 133 miles on I 40, which means consistent speeds and minimal stops for traffic lights or town centers. The initial part of your drive will involve Alexandria Highway and Edgewood Street before merging onto the interstate. Expect a steady pace for the majority of this trip, allowing for a direct and uncomplicated driving experience.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Alexandria Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Edgewood Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 38m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Edgewood Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (SR 53 / Alexandria Highway): Navigation decision point; at 7.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Knoxville, TN
Full guide →Knoxville, in Knox County, is the third-largest city in Tennessee. It is the home of the University of Tennessee's primary campus (UTK) and site of the 1982 World's Fair.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 141.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Edgewood Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (SR 53 / Alexandria Highway): Navigation decision point; at 7.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Knoxville, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Knoxville, TN
More trips to Knoxville, TN
Explore more options from Alexandria, TN or browse trips ending in Knoxville, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.