Camden, TN to Knox County, TN is 280.5 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I 40 and US 641, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a route that is almost entirely highway, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a manageable one-day trip.
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
140.2 miles from Camden, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
258 mi
4h 40m
US 641
15.2 mi
17m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
East Main Street
1 mi
2m
North Central Street
0.6 mi
1m
I 275
0.5 mi
<1m
East Springdale Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
West Woodland Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 258 mi, about 4h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, TN and Knox County, TN.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
106 ft·6 sec·West Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto SR 69A
490 ft·11 sec·North Forrest Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 70 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 641
15 mi·17 min·US 641
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.8 mi·3 min·I 40
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 387AToward I 275 North: Lexington
13
Continue on I 275
0.5 mi·33 sec·I 275
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 1BToward Woodland Ave, Oldham Ave
15
Turn right onto West Oldham Avenue
230 ft·4 sec·West Oldham Avenue
16
Continue on West Woodland Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·West Woodland Avenue
17
Turn left onto North Central Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Central Street
18
Turn right onto East Springdale Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Springdale Avenue
19
Turn left onto Hancock Street Northeast
177 ft·10 sec·Hancock Street Northeast
20
Turn right
12 ft·0 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Camden, TN in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight hours for your 5h 11m drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, ensure your tank is full before leaving. The route data suggests only one stop, but feel free to add more breaks as needed, especially during the long 258-mile stretch on I 40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Knox County, as services can become more spread out in rural interstate stretches.
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 140.2 miles from Camden, TN, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258 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 62 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.2 miles or 2h 35m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knox County, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camden, 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 Camden, TN
This is one driving day of about 280.5 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Camden, 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 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 279.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 69A / North Forrest Avenue
Turn right onto SR 69A / North Forrest Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
16.6 mi into trip|~21m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
98 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
101.2 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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...
6
279.1 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward Woodland Ave, Oldham Ave
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1B
Toward Woodland Ave, Oldham Ave
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.79 one way
$93.58 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$51.05
$102.11
premium
$5.25
$58.01
$116.02
diesel
$6.28
$69.31
$138.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.45
$13.46
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
EV Truck/SUV
112.2
1
$39.27
$17.95
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Camden, TN
Evening
in Camden on Thursday
Local time
7:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Knox County, TN
Evening
in Knox County on Thursday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
5h 11m 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.
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 116.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the 280.5 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 258 miles on I 40, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. Surface roads, comprising the remaining 2%, will likely appear closer to your destination in Knox County. Be prepared for the dense exit environment typical of interstate travel for most of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near SR 69A / North Forrest Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.5 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: near the start (SR 69A / North Forrest Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,990 ft417 ft
Total Climb
2,043 ft
Total Descent
1,530 ft
Highest Point
1,990 ft
~200.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,572 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Camden, TN and Knox County, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
East Tennessee is a region of Tennessee that covers roughly the eastern third of the state, generally locations east of the edge of the Cumberland Plateau.
Top landmarks
•Concord — village in Knox County, Tennessee
•Ramsey House — NRHP-listed, near Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 280.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Knox County, 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 69A / North Forrest Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Knox County, TN before the return drive.
