Knoxville, TN to Lone Oak, TN is 126.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 29 minutes via I-75 and I-40, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it a practical option for a single-day drive. If you're looking for a short, efficient trip with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.2 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
83.1 mi
1h 31m
I 40
18.3 mi
21m
Taft Highway
7.2 mi
11m
I 24
5.8 mi
7m
US 27
4.4 mi
5m
Signal Mountain Boulevard
3 mi
4m
Signal Mountain Road
1.6 mi
2m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Lone Oak, TN.
1
Start on US 441
0.2 mi·19 sec·Henley Street
2
Continue on US 441
0.1 mi·14 sec·Henley Street
3
Turn slight left onto SR 62
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi·43 sec·Ailor Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
6
Merge onto I 40
18 mi·21 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: ChattanoogaUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 24
5.8 mi·7 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
10
Take the exit onto US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 27
Exit 178Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout MountainUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 27
Exit 178Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout MountainUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
4.0 mi·5 min·US 27
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
15
Turn straight onto US 127
1.6 mi·2 min·Signal Mountain Road
16
Continue on US 127
3.0 mi·4 min·Signal Mountain Boulevard
17
Continue on US 127
7.2 mi·11 min·Taft Highway
18
Turn right onto Hall Road
46 ft·2 sec·Hall Road
19
Arrive at destination
Hall Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 29 minutes, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can comfortably leave anytime during the day and still arrive with ample daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at just $20, so keeping your tank topped up shouldn't be a major concern. Since the longest stretch is on I-75, plan for any necessary stops before or after this 83.1-mile segment to break up the drive effectively. Consider a brief stop in the Knoxville area before departing to ensure you're fully prepared for the straightforward highway journey.
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 63.2 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lone Oak, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN
This is one driving day of about 126.4 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 83.1 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 20.1 and 110 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.1 mi into trip|~24m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
7
103.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 27
Take the exit onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
10
109.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
6
110 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.76 one way
$39.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.70
$43.39
premium
$4.89
$24.32
$48.65
diesel
$5.61
$27.91
$55.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.27
$6.07
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.06
EV Truck/SUV
50.6
0
$17.70
$8.09
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lone Oak, TN
Morning
in Lone Oak on Sunday
Local time
9:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
11 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
2h 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 88% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-75 and I-40. You'll experience the efficiency of interstate travel for most of the 126.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 83.1 miles on I-75, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of driving. While Taft Highway is part of the latter portion, the overall character remains that of a quick, high-speed transit between your starting and ending points.
88% 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: 83.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in near I 75.
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 126.4 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 20.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knoxville, TN and Lone Oak, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain.
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 2h 29m. Total distance: 126.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 75. 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 Lone Oak, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lone Oak, TN before heading back.
