Traveling from Knoxville to Pegram spans 198.2 miles across the heart of Tennessee, making for a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 41 minutes. Because this route is easily manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-40 to traverse the state, eventually transitioning through the Downtown Loop and onto Charlotte Pike to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic transition as you move across the state. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a practical, efficient way to cross Tennessee in one go.
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
99.1 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
187 mi
3h 24m
Charlotte Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Memphis-Bristol Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Henley Street
0.3 mi
<1m
US 70
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 187 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Pegram, 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 right at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·3 min·I 40
Exit 213BToward I 24 West, I 40 West: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
0.4 mi·42 sec·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, MemphisUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 40
2.3 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Exit 210AToward I 40 West, I 65 North: Memphis, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
11 mi·12 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 196Toward US 70S: Bellevue, Newsom StationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
197 ft·4 sec
Toward Newsom StationUse the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto US 70S
1.8 mi·2 min·Memphis-Bristol Highway
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
4.5 mi·6 min·Charlotte Pike
17
Arrive at destination
US 70
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly four-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near urban centers. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the long 187-mile stretch on I-40 and keep your energy levels consistent. Since the route relies so heavily on major interstates, check local traffic reports for the Downtown Loop area before you head out, as this is where you are most likely to encounter delays. Having your $30 fuel budget ready in advance helps keep your travel day stress-free. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of your departure time is your biggest advantage, so adjust your schedule to steer clear of typical rush-hour peaks.
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 99.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.1 miles or 1h 49m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pegram, 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 198.2 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 187 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 191.9 — 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
9
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213B
Toward I 24 West, I 40 West: Nashville
8
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Huntsville, Memphis
8
191.7 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 70S: Bellevue, Newsom Station
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 196
Toward US 70S: Bellevue, Newsom Station
8
191.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Newsom Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Newsom Station
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.95 one way
$65.91 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$35.89
$71.79
premium
$5.18
$40.44
$80.89
diesel
$5.35
$41.75
$83.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.5
0
$20.81
$9.51
Efficient EV
49.6
0
$17.34
$7.93
EV Truck/SUV
79.3
0
$27.75
$12.68
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Knoxville, TN
Evening
in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
7:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pegram, TN
Evening
in Pegram on Wednesday
Local time
6:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 41m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 164.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 94% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 187 miles on I-40, which demands sustained focus behind the wheel. The personality of the road shifts from the wide-open interstate experience to more localized navigation once you hit the Downtown Loop and transition onto Charlotte Pike. Expect a steady, fast-paced rhythm for the vast majority of your time on the road. While the interstate portion is efficient, the final miles into Pegram offer a change of pace from the heavy highway traffic you encounter during the bulk of your travels.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Charlotte Pike. 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 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 13 significant decision points across 198.2 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 20.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,894 ft434 ft
Total Climb
1,456 ft
Total Descent
1,811 ft
Highest Point
1,894 ft
~85 mi in
Elevation Range
1,460 ft
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 Pegram, TN, road signs point toward Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
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 41m. Total distance: 198.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Pegram, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.1 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Pegram, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
