Spanning 202.4 miles across the Southeast, this journey from Kingston Springs to Knoxville typically takes about 3 hours and 9 minutes. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, it functions best as a single-day commitment. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the trip. While the drive is straightforward enough to finish in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention. It is a practical alternative for those who prefer avoiding highway traffic in favor of a more direct, local path through Tennessee.
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
101.2 miles from Kingston Springs, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
196 mi
3h 34m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi
3m
Luyben Hills Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 196 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston Springs, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on this road
66 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto West Kingston Spring
1.3 mi·3 min·West Kingston Spring
4
Turn right onto SR 249
0.4 mi·42 sec·Luyben Hills Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 188Toward I 40 East: Nashville
6
Merge onto I 40
19 mi·21 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
14
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the technical nature of these local roads, plan to depart early in the day to maintain good visibility throughout the winding sections. You have one planned stop available, which is ideal for refueling or stretching your legs mid-trip. Since you are not restricted by highway patterns, take advantage of the flexibility to pace yourself based on your comfort level with the turns. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions on local terrain. If you find the frequent turns fatiguing, prioritize your rest break precisely when you feel your focus beginning to wane.
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 101.2 miles from Kingston Springs, TN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 miles or 1h 54m 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 4m
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 Kingston Springs, 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 Kingston Springs, TN
This is one driving day of about 202.4 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Kingston Springs, 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 196 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 1.9 and 201.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East: Nashville
Navigation decision point
Exit 188
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
9
21.4 mi into trip|~26m 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
24.6 mi into trip|~30m 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
201.3 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
201.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
$29.89 one way
$59.78 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.00
$66.00
premium
$4.72
$37.58
$75.16
diesel
$4.80
$38.22
$76.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.7
0
$21.25
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.71
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.34
$12.95
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Kingston Springs, TN
Morning
in Kingston Springs on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
7:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 45m 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.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience behind the wheel, as this path avoids highways entirely. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that demands constant focus rather than the mindless cruising of an interstate. Your journey takes you along North Main Street, West Kingston Spring, and Luyben Hills Road. Because North Main Street represents the longest uninterrupted stretch at 0 miles, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and navigating turns throughout the 202.4-mile transit. This is a hands-on drive that rewards drivers who enjoy staying active on the road.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Downtown Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
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 202.4 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 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,851 ft486 ft
Total Climb
1,650 ft
Total Descent
1,267 ft
Highest Point
1,851 ft
~115.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,365 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kingston Springs, 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 3h 45m. Total distance: 202.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m 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 196 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
