Origin
Knoxville, TN
Afternoon in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knoxville, TN to New Union, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
151.2 mi
243 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knoxville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
New Union, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Knoxville, TN to New Union, TN is 151.2 miles and takes about 3h 7m via I 40 and Sparta Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Tennessee. It offers a mixed drive experience, suitable for a single day. You'll experience a blend of interstate travel and more local road conditions. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward journey without extensive planning.
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
75.6 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 64.2 mi | 1h 10m |
| Sparta Highway | 29.1 mi | 42m |
| Manchester Highway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Bone Cave Parkway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Memorial Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| McMinnville Highway | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| H T Pelham Memorial Parkway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and New Union, 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 right at fork onto I 40
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 40
Toward Nashville
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TN 101: Crossville
9
Turn left onto SR 101
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Peavine Road
10
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 70; SR 101
11
Continue on US 70; SR 101
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 70; SR 101
12
Turn right onto US 70
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 70
26 mi
·
38 min
·
Sparta Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Bockman Way
15
Turn left onto TN 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mayberry Street
16
Continue on TN 1
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Broadway of America
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
18
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Spencer Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70S
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 70S
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Bone Cave Parkway
21
Continue on US 70S
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Sparta Highway
22
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Sparta Street
23
Continue on US 70S
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
24
Continue on SR 55
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
25
Continue on SR 55
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Manchester Highway
26
Merge onto SR 55
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
McMinnville Highway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I-24 West: Nashville
Use the right lane.
28
Merge onto I 24
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 24
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 110
Toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
30
Turn right onto SR 53
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodbury Highway
31
Arrive at destination
SR 53
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 3 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave Knoxville mid-morning to avoid rush hour and still arrive in New Union with plenty of daylight. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits is 64.2 miles on I 40. Given the relatively short distance, flexibility is key, but ensure you have enough gas before heading onto the Sparta Highway.
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 75.6 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Union, 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 151.2 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Knoxville, 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 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 148.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
20.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Nashville
5
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
US 70; SR 101
Enter roundabout onto US 70; SR 101
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
148 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward I-24 West: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I-24 West: Nashville
6
148.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward TN 53: Manchester, Woodbury
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.64 one way
$47.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.95 | $51.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.10 | $58.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.38 | $66.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
New Union, TN
Morning in New Union on Sunday
Local time
11:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
24 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 7m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 56% highway share, with the longest uninterrupted stretch of 64.2 miles on I 40. Expect a mixed drive profile, meaning you'll transition from faster interstate speeds to potentially slower, more winding sections on roads like Sparta Highway and Manchester Highway. The character of the road will change as you progress, moving from the efficiency of the interstate to a more local feel as you approach your destination. This variety keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.8 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 151.2 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 66.7 miles (US 70; SR 101): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to New Union, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
20.1 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Knoxville, TN
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 151.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 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 New Union, 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 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 66.7 miles (US 70; SR 101): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at New Union, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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