Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Collegedale, 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 49m

Distance

96.8 mi

156 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m

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
Downtown Collegedale, TN, TN

Collegedale, TN

Davide Comunian

city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 96.8-mile drive from Collegedale, TN, to Knoxville, TN, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major interstates like I-75 and I-40. You'll find the estimated fuel cost to be around $15, making it an economical option for a quick journey within the Southeast region. Since there are no designated stops in the data, this drive is best suited for those who prefer to reach their destination efficiently, with the flexibility to stop as needed. It's a practical choice for a quick transition between two points in Tennessee.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 89.1 mi 1h 37m
I 40 2.9 mi 3m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
Apison Pike 1.1 mi 2m
Lee Highway 0.5 mi 1m
Henley Street 0.3 mi <1m
Colcord Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 89.1 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Colcord Drive

70 ft · 7 sec · Colcord Drive
2

Turn left onto SR 317

0.8 mi · 1 min · Apison Pike
3

At end of road, turn left onto SR 317

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Apison Pike
4

Turn right onto SR 321

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the right lane.
5

Turn left onto US 11; US 64

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lee Highway
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 75

89 mi · 1 hr 37 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 duration of just under two hours, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous departure. Leaving Collegedale in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Knoxville without feeling rushed. You can easily complete this 96.8-mile journey on a single tank of gas, with an estimated fuel cost of $15. The primary roads, I-75 and I-40, are well-maintained, but always be aware of potential traffic, especially as you approach Knoxville. Since no specific stops are recommended, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along I-75 during the longest stretch of the drive.

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 48.4 miles from Collegedale, TN, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.1 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 21 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.4 miles or 55m 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 29m

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 Collegedale, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Collegedale, TN

This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Collegedale, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 89.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Athens, TN

48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Collegedale, 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 89.1 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 96.8

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 96.8

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 96.8

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 96.8

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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 96 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | SR 321 / Main Street

Turn right onto SR 321 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

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

Use the slight right lane.
6
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m 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
96 mi into trip | ~1h 48m 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

$15.13 one way

$30.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.62 $33.23
premium $4.89 $18.63 $37.26
diesel $5.61 $21.37 $42.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29 0 $10.16 $4.65
Efficient EV 24.2 0 $8.47 $3.87
EV Truck/SUV 38.7 0 $13.55 $6.20

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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

Collegedale, TN

Morning in Collegedale on Sunday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 0 to 10 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Morning in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

84°F

Athens, TN

48 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

14 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 49m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 96.8-mile route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The bulk of your time will be spent on I-75, including one uninterrupted stretch of 89.1 miles. This means you'll be navigating mostly fast-paced, multi-lane roads designed for efficient travel. While the data doesn't detail specific scenic changes, the character is that of a modern interstate drive, prioritizing directness over winding backroads. The transition from Collegedale to Knoxville is primarily about covering ground quickly on well-maintained 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: 89.1 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near SR 321 / Main Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 96.8 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 1.1 miles (SR 321 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 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 49m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.1 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 1.1 miles (SR 321 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 Collegedale, TN

Kingsport, TN 193 mi · 3h 38m Columbia, TN 168.2 mi · 3h 16m Gallatin, TN 161.3 mi · 3h 12m Nashville, TN 150.9 mi · 2h 59m Huntingdon Forest, TN 19.7 mi · 35m

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: Collegedale, TN Scenic drives in TN

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.