This straightforward 79.4-mile journey from Chuckey to Knoxville, Tennessee, can be comfortably completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The drive, primarily on I-40 and I-81 with a segment on East Andrew Johnson Highway, is largely highway-focused, accounting for 69% of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip is budget-friendly. Given its short duration and minimal stops, you won't need to break it up. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Chuckey, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
31.5 mi
34m
I 81
22.7 mi
24m
East Andrew Johnson Highway
20.4 mi
24m
Chuckey Highway
2.1 mi
5m
James White Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Neyland Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Henley Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 31.5 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chuckey, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Chuckey Highway
2.1 mi·5 min·Chuckey Highway
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 11E; US 321
20 mi·24 min·East Andrew Johnson Highway
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
22 mi·23 min·I 81
5
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
6
Merge onto I 40
32 mi·34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 388A; 389Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of TennesseeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
9
Continue on TN 158
0.4 mi·23 sec·James White Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158
0.1 mi·14 sec·Neyland Drive
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
12
Continue on Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·Cumberland Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 441
393 ft·16 sec·Henley Street
14
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 33-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with this 79.4-mile trip from Chuckey to Knoxville. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic. The estimated fuel cost is around $12, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave, as there are no designated stops mentioned. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 31.5 miles on I-40, so plan your immediate needs before embarking on that segment. This route is straightforward enough that you can easily manage it in one go.
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 39.7 miles from Chuckey, TN, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.5 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 48m 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 18m
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 Chuckey, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chuckey, TN
This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Chuckey, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 31.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 45.5 and 78.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
45.5 mi into trip|~54m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Tennessee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 388A; 389
Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Ten...
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White P...
6
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|TN 158 / Neyland Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158 / Neyland Drive toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University o...
6
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.41 one way
$24.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.63
$27.26
premium
$4.89
$15.28
$30.56
diesel
$5.61
$17.53
$35.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.34
$3.81
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.95
$3.18
EV Truck/SUV
31.8
0
$11.12
$5.08
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Chuckey, TN
Morning
in Chuckey on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
1h 33m 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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 57.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 79.4-mile route, with 69% of it utilizing major interstates like I-40 and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.5 miles on I-40, providing a consistent pace. While much of the journey will be on faster roads, you'll also experience a portion on East Andrew Johnson Highway. This blend means you'll likely experience smooth cruising for significant periods, interspersed with moments on a more local highway feel as you approach Knoxville.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 45.5 miles in near I 40.
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 79.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 45.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 33m. Total distance: 79.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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.
