Knoxville, TN to Rossville, TN is 376.3 miles and takes about 7h 6m via I 40 and TN 76, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, connecting the Southeast region to itself. Given that it's almost entirely highway driving, expect a straightforward trip with minimal navigation challenges. It's a solid option for a single-day drive, especially if you want to get to your destination efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving, but one that should be manageable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.1 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
331.6 mi
6h
TN 76
25.5 mi
37m
TN 57
8.7 mi
12m
SR 76
4.9 mi
7m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
3m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Ailor Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 331.6 mi, about 6h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Rossville, 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
156 mi·2 hr 48 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: MemphisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 52Toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville
14
Turn right onto Stanton Koko Road
0.3 mi·30 sec·Stanton Koko Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto TN 76
0.2 mi·19 sec·TN 76
16
Continue on SR 76; SR 179
4.9 mi·7 min·SR 76; SR 179
17
Continue on TN 76
10.0 mi·14 min·TN 76
18
At end of road, turn left onto TN 59
0.1 mi·10 sec·TN 59
19
Continue on TN 76
15 mi·22 min·TN 76
20
At end of road, turn right onto TN 57
8.7 mi·12 min·TN 57
21
Turn right onto SR 194
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
22
Turn left onto Front Street
56 ft·2 sec·Front Street
23
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. You have two planned stops, which should be sufficient for breaks and refueling along the 376.3-mile route. The majority of the drive is on I 40, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. Given the $59 estimated fuel cost, budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, flexibility is key; adjust your stop times based on how you feel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.1 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 331.6 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 83 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.1 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rossville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Knoxville, TN
This is one driving day of about 376.3 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 331.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 336.3 — 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
7
180.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
6
336.3 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 52
Toward SR 179, SR 76: Whiteville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.56 one way
$125.13 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$68.15
$136.30
premium
$5.18
$76.79
$153.57
diesel
$5.35
$79.26
$158.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.9
1
$39.51
$18.06
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
EV Truck/SUV
150.5
1
$52.68
$24.08
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon
in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rossville, TN
Afternoon
in Rossville on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph57% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Brentwood Estates, TN
188 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
7 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
7h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 155.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 99% of the 376.3 miles on major roads. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 40. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 331.6 miles, meaning you'll encounter fewer surface road transitions for a significant portion of the trip. Expect a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you traverse the state, particularly on I 40.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 331.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 76. 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 17 significant decision points across 376.3 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 (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
1,925 ft314 ft
Total Climb
1,504 ft
Total Descent
2,090 ft
Highest Point
1,925 ft
~80.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,611 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 Rossville, 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 7h 6m. Total distance: 376.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 331.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Rossville, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 37 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rossville, TN before the return drive.
