If you are planning to travel from Altamont to Knoxville, expect a straightforward 143.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $22, making this a relatively economical route to navigate. The path utilizes a combination of US 27, I-40, and SR 111, effectively moving you across the Southeast region of Tennessee. Because the drive is concise and efficient, it works well for travelers looking to balance time on the road with a full day of activity at the finish line.
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
71.9 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
41.9 mi
52m
I 40
39.5 mi
44m
SR 111
11.5 mi
13m
TN 8
8.4 mi
11m
SR 108
7.2 mi
10m
Roane State Highway
5.4 mi
6m
Barkertown Road
5.3 mi
9m
TN 111
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 41.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
526 ft·24 sec·Cumberland Street
2
Turn left onto SR 56
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 108
7.2 mi·10 min·SR 108
4
Turn left onto SR 399
5.3 mi·9 min·Barkertown Road
5
Continue on SR 399
3.8 mi·6 min·Artillery Road
6
Continue on SR 399
1.6 mi·2 min·Rifle Range Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto TN 8; TN 111
8.4 mi·11 min·TN 8; TN 111
8
Continue on SR 111
11 mi·13 min·SR 111
9
Continue on TN 111
5.3 mi·6 min·TN 111
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto US 27
42 mi·52 min·US 27
12
Merge onto US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·Spring City Highway
13
Continue on US 27; US 70
2.7 mi·3 min·South Gateway Avenue
14
Continue on US 27; US 70
5.4 mi·6 min·Roane State Highway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
16
Merge onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
20
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever suits you best. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 143.8-mile trek and keep your focus sharp. Given that the route relies on a significant percentage of highway travel, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you merge onto I-40, as this will likely be the busiest segment of your trip. Budgeting roughly $22 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside is always a wise move for any road trip. By maintaining a steady pace, you can easily complete this drive in one efficient session without feeling rushed.
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 71.9 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 32 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 34m
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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 143.8 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Altamont, 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 US 27 for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.6 and 143.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
22.6 mi into trip|~36m in|TN 8; TN 111
At end of road, turn right onto TN 8; TN 111
Navigation decision point
5
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
142.7 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
143.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
$22.48 one way
$44.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.68
$49.37
premium
$4.89
$27.67
$55.35
diesel
$5.61
$31.75
$63.50
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: 50.3 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
43.1
0
$15.10
$6.90
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.58
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Altamont, TN
Night
in Altamont on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Late night
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Dayton, TN
72 mi in
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
24 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
3h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of driving conditions, including a significant 41.9-mile stretch on US 27 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The drive shifts from regional roads to the faster pace of the interstate system as you transition toward Knoxville. While the route is designed for efficiency, be prepared for the change in rhythm between the initial segments and the high-speed transit on I-40. It is a functional, direct drive that favors consistent movement over frequent turns or technical maneuvers.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.9 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 40. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.6 miles in near TN 8; TN 111.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.6 miles (TN 8; TN 111): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Knoxville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.6 miles (TN 8; TN 111): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
