If you are looking to travel from the historic streets of Jonesborough to the urban hub of Knoxville, you are looking at a 93.4-mile journey. Plan for about 1 hour and 34 minutes of travel time, which makes this an effortless day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via West College Street, North 2nd Avenue, and West Jackson Boulevard rather than relying on major interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of just $14, this is a budget-friendly way to traverse the Southeast. Because the route is straightforward and relatively short, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Jonesborough, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Johnson Highway
35.2 mi
42m
I 40
31.5 mi
34m
I 81
22.7 mi
24m
West Jackson Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
James White Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
West College Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Neyland Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Johnson Highway
— 35.2 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesborough, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on North Cherokee Street
435 ft·16 sec·North Cherokee Street
2
Turn left onto West College Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·West College Street
3
Turn right onto North 2nd Avenue
509 ft·22 sec·North 2nd Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 11E; US 321
0.8 mi·1 min·West Jackson Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on US 11E; US 321
35 mi·42 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
22 mi·23 min·I 81
8
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi·45 sec·I 81
Exit 1BToward I 40 West: Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 40
32 mi·34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 388A; 389Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of TennesseeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
12
Continue on TN 158
0.4 mi·23 sec·James White Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158
0.1 mi·14 sec·Neyland Drive
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
15
Continue on Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·Cumberland Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 441
393 ft·16 sec·Henley Street
17
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 34-minute trip, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or scheduled rest stops. You can easily complete the entire 93.4-mile stretch in a single go without needing to refuel mid-trip, provided you start with a decent tank. Given that you will be navigating turn-heavy local roads, try to avoid departing during peak local rush hours to ensure a smoother experience. Keep your navigation tools ready to assist with the transition between West College Street, North 2nd Avenue, and West Jackson Boulevard. Embracing the flexibility of this short drive allows you to prioritize your arrival time in Knoxville based on your personal itinerary.
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 46.7 miles from Jonesborough, TN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 56m 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 Jonesborough, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jonesborough, TN
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Jonesborough, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Andrew Johnson Highway for about 35.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 92.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|North 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto North 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Tennessee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 388A; 389
Toward SR 158 West: Downtown, University of Ten...
6
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White Parkway, Downtown, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West, South US 441: James White P...
6
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|TN 158 / Neyland Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 158 / Neyland Drive toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University of Tennessee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 158 West: Neyland Drive, University o...
6
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Cumerland Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.59 one way
$29.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.02
$32.03
premium
$4.89
$17.95
$35.91
diesel
$5.61
$20.60
$41.20
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: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.80
$4.48
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Jonesborough, TN
Morning
in Jonesborough on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 93.4-mile duration. The road’s personality is defined by its technical nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between various local thoroughfares. Since there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the pace of the drive remains consistent and localized throughout the trip. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed cruising.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.2 mi on Andrew Johnson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North 2nd Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 90.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 49m. Total distance: 93.3 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 (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.2 miles on Andrew Johnson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 0.3 miles (North 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 90.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Knoxville, TN before heading back.
