If you are planning a trip from Fayetteville to Knoxville, expect a 211.1-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway sprint, it functions best as a focused one-day excursion. You should budget about $31 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee hubs. Since the route avoids interstates entirely, you will be navigating local roads for the duration of your travel. It is a straightforward trip if you prefer backroads over high-speed traffic, making it a solid choice for drivers who enjoy staying off the main arteries.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
99.2 mi
1h 49m
I 24
50.5 mi
58m
Winchester Highway
16.8 mi
19m
David Crockett Highway
13.5 mi
15m
Sewanee Highway
6.8 mi
10m
Veterans Memorial Drive
3.7 mi
4m
I 40
2.9 mi
3m
Cumberland Street West
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on US 431
79 ft·5 sec·Main Avenue South
2
Turn right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·College Street East
3
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi·47 sec·Mulberry Avenue
4
Continue on US 64 Business
17 mi·19 min·Winchester Highway
5
Continue on US 64
13 mi·14 min·David Crockett Highway
6
Continue on US 64
3.7 mi·4 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·5 sec
9
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi·2 min·Cowan Highway
10
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi·3 min·Cumberland Street West
11
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi·7 min·Sewanee Highway
12
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi·2 min·Sollace M Freeman Highway
13
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi·2 min·Sewanee Highway
14
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi·36 sec·David Crockett Highway
15
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi·1 min·West Main Street
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
17
Merge onto I 24; US 64
51 mi·58 min·I 24;US 64
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 185 BToward I 75 North: KnoxvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 75
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
23
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a 3-hour and 16-minute drive on local roads, try to depart early in the day to navigate the turns with better visibility. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the technical driving and keep your energy levels consistent. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like Winchester Highway, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that appear more frequently than they would on an interstate. Keep your fuel budget of $31 in mind while selecting your refueling spots, as local roads may have fewer service options than major highways. Embracing the flexibility of this route allows you to pace your travel comfortably without the pressure of heavy interstate traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.2 miles from Fayetteville, TN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.2 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, TN
This is one driving day of about 204.4 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Fayetteville, 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 75 for about 99.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 64 Business / College Street East
Turn right onto US 64 Business / College Street East
Navigation decision point
5
34.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
100.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 185 B
Toward I 75 North: Knoxville
6
203.3 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
203.7 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
$31.96 one way
$63.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.09
$70.17
premium
$4.89
$39.33
$78.67
diesel
$5.61
$45.13
$90.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Efficient EV
51.1
0
$17.88
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.62
$13.08
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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
Fayetteville, TN
Night
in Fayetteville on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Night
in Knoxville on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive 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
5 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
3h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on driving experience, as this route consists of 0% highway travel. You will navigate a series of winding local roads, including Winchester Highway, Mulberry Avenue, and College Street East, which define the technical nature of the trip. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on College Street East, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the turns and local road conditions. This is not a monotonous cruise; the personality of the road requires your full attention as you transition between these smaller routes. Expect a consistent, turn-heavy character that remains steady from start to finish.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 64 Business / College Street East.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 204.4 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: near the start (US 64 Business / College Street East): Navigation decision point; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 204.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on I 75. 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: near the start (US 64 Business / College Street East): Navigation decision point; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
