This 182.3-mile drive from Knoxville, TN to Oak Hill, TN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes. With 97% of the route on major highways, it’s designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $29, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll primarily be on I-40 and I-65, with a brief section on Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be traversing familiar terrain.
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
91.2 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
173.2 mi
3h 7m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
I 65
1.5 mi
1m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Battery Lane
0.6 mi
1m
Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Harding Place
0.4 mi
<1m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 173.2 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Oak Hill, 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
155 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 40
Toward NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
10
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
14
Merge onto I 65
1.5 mi·1 min·I 65
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 78A-BToward SR 255: Harding PlaceUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 78BToward SR 255 West: Harding PlaceUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto TN 255
0.4 mi·39 sec·Harding Place
18
Continue on Battery Lane
0.6 mi·1 min·Battery Lane
19
Turn left onto Dustin Lane
111 ft·4 sec·Dustin Lane
20
Arrive at destination
Dustin Lane
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 21 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. You could depart Knoxville in the morning and arrive in Oak Hill by lunchtime. With only one recommended stop and 97% of the drive on highways, you can easily plan your fuel and rest breaks. A good strategy is to fill up before you leave Knoxville, as the longest stretch is over 173 miles. The $29 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but always check current prices. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the rush hour in Knoxville.
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 91.2 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.2 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Hill, 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 182.3 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 173.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 181 — 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 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Nashville
7
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
178.3 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
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 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
7
180.6 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward SR 255: Harding Place
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78A-B
Toward SR 255: Harding Place
8
181 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 255 West: Harding Place
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 255 West: Harding Place
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.50 one way
$57.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.29
$62.58
premium
$4.89
$35.08
$70.16
diesel
$5.61
$40.25
$80.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.7
0
$19.14
$8.75
Efficient EV
45.6
0
$15.95
$7.29
EV Truck/SUV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.67
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oak Hill, TN
Late night
in Oak Hill on Sunday
Local time
5:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Monterey, TN
91 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 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 21m 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.
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 163.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-40 and I-65. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 173.2 miles on I-40, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While this offers efficiency, be prepared for the consistent pace of interstate travel. The inclusion of Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway offers a slight variation, but the overall character remains that of a fast-paced highway journey, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway. 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 40.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 182.3 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 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.3 miles: 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.
On the drive from Knoxville, TN to Oak Hill, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
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 3h 21m. Total distance: 182.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m 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 173.2 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 Oak Hill, 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 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Oak Hill, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
