This 310.4-mile drive from Dresden to Knoxville, Tennessee, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours to complete. Primarily following I-24 and I-40, with a segment on Main Street, you'll find it's a highway-focused journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $49, making it a relatively budget-friendly trip. While there's one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a significant change is 119 miles on I-24. This route is a straightforward option for getting from one part of Tennessee to another, suitable for those who prefer covering distance efficiently.
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
155.2 miles from Dresden, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
119 mi
2h 9m
I 40
96 mi
1h 45m
Main Street
28.1 mi
34m
Austin Peay Memorial Highway
25.1 mi
28m
Paris Highway
23.3 mi
34m
Ashland City Road
5.6 mi
6m
TN 76
3.1 mi
3m
North Riverside Drive
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 119 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on South Wilson Street
89 ft·6 sec·South Wilson Street
2
Turn right onto TN 54; TN 89
2.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
3
Continue on TN 54; TN 217
23 mi·34 min·Paris Highway
4
Continue on US 79
25 mi·27 min·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 79
0.2 mi·11 sec·Fort Donelson Parkway
6
Continue on US 79
0.6 mi·37 sec·Austin Peay Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 79
0.5 mi·36 sec·Lake Highway
8
Continue on US 79
1.7 mi·1 min·Donelson Parkway
9
Continue on US 79
28 mi·34 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 41A; US 79
0.1 mi·13 sec·Fort Campbell Boulevard
11
Continue on US 41A; US 79
1.6 mi·2 min·Providence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 41A; US 79
340 ft·7 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 41A Bypass
2.4 mi·4 min·North Riverside Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 41A Bypass
5.6 mi·6 min·Ashland City Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on TN 76
3.1 mi·3 min·TN 76
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
17
Merge onto I 24
33 mi·35 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
2.3 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 44AToward I 24 East, I 65 South: NashvilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on I 24
2.8 mi·3 min·I 24
Exit 86Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 24
Exit 50AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on I 40
93 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
25
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, starting early is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Knoxville. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $49, planning your fuel and rest breaks around the longest stretch of 119 miles on I-24 is advisable. Consider stopping for a break before or after this segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, ensure you have enough fuel before heading out, as services can vary along interstate stretches.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.2 miles from Dresden, TN, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119 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 68 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 3h 9m 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 57m
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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, TN
This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Dresden, 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 24 for about 119 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.2 and 309.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24 toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 44A
Toward I 24 East, I 65 South: Nashville
9
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 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 lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
309.2 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
309.6 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
$48.53 one way
$97.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.28
$106.56
premium
$4.89
$59.73
$119.47
diesel
$5.61
$68.53
$137.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
Efficient EV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
EV Truck/SUV
124.2
1
$43.46
$19.87
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dresden, TN
Morning
in Dresden on Sunday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
20 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
6h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 53.5
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 149.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's 71% highway, offering a consistent pace for much of the 6-hour journey. The primary roads, I-24 and I-40, provide a direct and efficient path. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 119 miles on I-24, meaning extended periods of steady driving. While largely interstate, the inclusion of Main Street suggests a transition into more local roads as you approach your destination in Knoxville. Overall, it’s a route that prioritizes getting you there with minimal detours.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.2 miles in near I 24.
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 11 significant decision points across 310.4 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: at 94.2 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dresden, TN to Knoxville, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
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 6h. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119 miles on I 24. 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 94.2 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.6 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Knoxville, TN before the return drive.
