Halls, TN to Knoxville, TN is 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 28m via I 40 and US 641, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the western part of the state to the eastern edge. With 97% highway driving, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, especially since it's designed for a single day of travel. You'll be on the interstate for the vast majority of this route, making it a simple transit.
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
143.1 miles from Halls, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
258.1 mi
4h 40m
US 641
19.4 mi
24m
Liberty Road
4.1 mi
15m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Big Sandy River Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 258.1 mi, about 4h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Halls, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on Big Sandy River Road
6 ft·4 sec·Big Sandy River Road
2
Turn right onto Liberty Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Liberty Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Liberty Road
4
Continue on Liberty Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Liberty Road
5
Continue on Liberty Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Liberty Road
6
Continue on Liberty Road
0.2 mi·55 sec·Liberty Road
7
Turn right onto US 641
19 mi·24 min·US 641
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
17
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Halls, TN in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Knoxville with plenty of daylight. The majority of the route is on I 40, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 258.1-mile stretch on the interstate, as services can be spaced out. While the total duration suggests a single-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations.
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 143.1 miles from Halls, TN, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.1 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 63 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 31m
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 Halls, 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 Halls, TN
This is one driving day of about 286.1 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Halls, 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 258.1 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 23.7 and 285.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
23.7 mi into trip|~41m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
105.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
108.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
285 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
285.4 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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
$42.25 one way
$84.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.64
$93.29
premium
$4.72
$53.12
$106.24
diesel
$4.80
$54.02
$108.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.05
$18.31
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Halls, TN
Morning
in Halls on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:23PM CDT until July 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN
90°F
Hartsville, TN
143 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 128.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is almost entirely highway driving, with 97% of the 286.1 miles on interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 40, with the longest continuous stretch covering 258.1 miles. The transition to surface roads, specifically Liberty Road and US 641, will happen towards the end of your trip. Given the high highway percentage, anticipate a steady flow of traffic and frequent exits as you approach Knoxville.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.1 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 641. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.7 miles in near I 40.
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 286.1 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 23.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,977 ft439 ft
Total Climb
2,074 ft
Total Descent
1,612 ft
Highest Point
1,977 ft
~204.4 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 Halls, 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 5h 28m. Total distance: 286.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258.1 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 23.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Fort Donelson National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
