Dyersburg to Knoxville is 351.6 miles and takes about 6h 30m via I 40 and US 412, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, connecting the western part of the state to the eastern edge. You'll find it's a mostly highway route, making for efficient travel between these two points. With just one recommended stop and a straightforward path, it's a good option for a single-day trip if you're looking to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
175.8 miles from Dyersburg, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
176.7 mi
3h 13m
US 412
167.5 mi
3h 5m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
East Court Street
2.5 mi
3m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Main Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
McGaughey Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 176.7 mi, about 3h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dyersburg, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on US 51 Bus; SR 104
63 ft·3 sec·McGaughey Street
2
Turn right onto US 51 Bus; SR 104
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Main Avenue
3
Turn left onto SR 104
2.5 mi·3 min·East Court Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 412 East: Jackson
5
Merge onto US 412
10 mi·11 min·US 412
6
Continue on US 412
29 mi·34 min·US 412
7
Turn left onto US 412
128 mi·2 hr 18 min·US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: NashvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
15
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Dyersburg in the morning will allow you to reach Knoxville with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is efficient, with only one recommended stop, but it's wise to plan for a fuel and rest break around the halfway point, especially since the longest stretch on I 40 is nearly 177 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Knoxville; while services are plentiful, it's always best to be prepared. The $54 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your trip.
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 175.8 miles from Dyersburg, TN, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.7 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 77 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.8 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
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 Dyersburg, 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 Dyersburg, TN
This is one driving day of about 351.6 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Dyersburg, 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 176.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.2 and 350.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
42.2 mi into trip|~51m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
9
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
173.8 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
350.5 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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
350.9 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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
$51.92 one way
$103.85 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$57.32
$114.64
premium
$4.72
$65.28
$130.56
diesel
$4.80
$66.39
$132.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.5
1
$36.92
$16.88
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.77
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.22
$22.50
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Dyersburg, TN
Morning
in Dyersburg on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:30AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:30AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
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
1 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 30m 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.
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 194
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 98% highway, so expect to be on major roadways for almost the entire 351.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 176.7 miles on I 40. You'll transition from US 412 onto I 40, and the majority of your time will be spent on this interstate. Be prepared for a dense network of exits and merges as you approach and pass through more populated areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.7 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 412. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.2 miles in near US 412.
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 12 significant decision points across 351.6 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 42.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,850 ft311 ft
Total Climb
2,006 ft
Total Descent
1,417 ft
Highest Point
1,850 ft
~276.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,539 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dyersburg, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
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.
Top landmarks
•Sunsphere — observation tower in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
•Andrew Johnson Building — historic high-rise in Knoxville, Tennessee
•Ayres Hall — historic academic building at the University of Tennessee, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 351.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.7 miles on I 40. 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 42.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.8 miles (I 40): 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
