Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Cleveland, 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

1h 33m

Distance

83.1 mi

134 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 83.1-mile drive from Cleveland to Knoxville, Tennessee, is easily managed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, with a 95% highway share, so expect a focused, efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. Since it's a short haul within the Southeast region of Tennessee, it doesn't necessitate an overnight stay, offering flexibility for your travel plans.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.5 miles from Cleveland, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 75.8 mi 1h 22m
I 40 2.9 mi 3m
Keith Street 1.5 mi 2m
25th Street NW 0.6 mi <1m
25th Street Northwest 0.5 mi <1m
Inman Street West 0.4 mi <1m
Henley Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 75.8 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, TN and Knoxville, TN.

1

Start on US 64

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Inman Street West
2

Turn right onto US 11

1.5 mi · 2 min · Keith Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto TN 60

0.3 mi · 35 sec · 25th Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on TN 60

0.6 mi · 58 sec · 25th Street NW
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on TN 60

0.2 mi · 18 sec · 25th Street Northwest
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
7

Merge onto I 75

76 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 75
Use the slight right lane.
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 the short 1 hour and 33-minute duration, this trip from Cleveland to Knoxville offers great flexibility; you can depart at your convenience. With only 83.1 miles and a $13 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 75.8 miles on I-75, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Knoxville area, as interstate congestion can sometimes occur.

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 41.5 miles from Cleveland, TN, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.8 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 18 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.5 miles or 47m 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 Cleveland, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cleveland, TN

This is one driving day of about 83.1 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Cleveland, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 75.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Luttrell, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Luttrell, TN

42 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

Calhoun, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Luttrell, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.5 miles from Cleveland, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

McMinn County Rest Area Northbound

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

McMinn County Rest Area Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 83.1

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Marble Springs State Historic Site

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 83.1

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18655735508

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 82.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 11 / Keith Street

Turn right onto US 11 / Keith Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
3.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m 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
82.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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

$12.99 one way

$25.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.26 $28.53
premium $4.89 $15.99 $31.98
diesel $5.61 $18.35 $36.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Cleveland Town Center - Tesla Supercharger

Cleveland, TN

Tesla

16 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Knoxville, TN

Tesla

16 DCFC

Pavilion of Turkey Creek - Tesla Supercharger

Knoxville, TN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Brookview Town Centre - Tesla Supercharger

Knoxville, TN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Downtown Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

ZEFNET

8 DCFC

Cleveland Ford

Cleveland, TN

FORD_CHARGE

6 DCFC

Sweetwater Utilities - Jacky Jones Ford

Sweetwater, TN

ZEFNET

6 DCFC

714 New Hwy 68

Sweetwater, TN

EV Connect

6 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 7 Tesla: 4 EV Connect: 2 ZEFNET: 2 Blink Network: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Electrify America: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.9 0 $8.73 $3.99
Efficient EV 20.8 0 $7.27 $3.32
EV Truck/SUV 33.2 0 $11.63 $5.32

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 18, 2026

Origin

Cleveland, TN

Morning in Cleveland on Sunday

Local time

10:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Morning in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

10:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Luttrell, TN

42 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

10 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

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 95% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-75 and I-40. You'll encounter one significant stretch of uninterrupted driving for 75.8 miles on I-75, so be prepared for extended periods of steady highway travel. The roads are designed for efficiency, meaning you'll likely experience consistent speeds and minimal interruptions as you transition from Cleveland towards Knoxville. Expect a practical, no-frills drive primarily on well-maintained interstate highways.

95% 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: 75.8 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 11 / Keith Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 33m 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: at 0.4 miles (US 11 / Keith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.2 miles (I 75): 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 1h 33m. Total distance: 83.1 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 (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.4 miles (US 11 / Keith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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, NREL for EV charging, 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

Explore More

Continue From Knoxville, TN

Troy, TN 367.9 mi · 6h 43m Oakland, TN 363.4 mi · 6h 42m Arlington, TN 362.2 mi · 6h 39m Brighton, TN 362 mi · 6h 53m

More from Cleveland, TN

Memphis, TN 368.9 mi · 6h 53m Atoka, TN 343.7 mi · 6h 42m Arlington, TN 340.1 mi · 6h 22m Collierville, TN 317.3 mi · 6h 23m Humboldt, TN 296.9 mi · 5h 38m Milan, TN 289.2 mi · 5h 38m

More trips to Knoxville, TN

Memphis, TN 391.2 mi Germantown, TN 379.9 mi Bartlett, TN 376.4 mi Obion, TN 370.5 mi Munford, TN 367.9 mi Hickory Withe, TN 363.3 mi
Escape planner: Cleveland, TN Scenic drives in TN

Explore more options from Cleveland, TN or browse trips ending in Knoxville, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.