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Trip from Knoxville, TN to South Pittsburg, TN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

139.8 mi

225 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown South Pittsburg, TN, TN

South Pittsburg, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Knoxville, TN to South Pittsburg, TN is 139.8 miles and takes about 2h 39m via I-75, I-24, and I-40, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Tennessee, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip, largely on interstate highways, making it a convenient option for a quick drive. Expect minimal complications as you navigate this direct path. This trip is best suited for a single-day excursion.

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

69.9 miles from Knoxville, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 83.1 mi 1h 31m
I 24 33.3 mi 38m
I 40 18.3 mi 21m
North Cedar Avenue 2.2 mi 2m
Western Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Ailor Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Henley Street 0.3 mi <1m
3rd Street 0.2 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 South Pittsburg, 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: Chattanooga Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 24

33 mi · 38 min · I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 152A Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
11

Continue on US 72

2.2 mi · 2 min · North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto 3rd Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 3rd Street
13

Turn right

97 ft · 7 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given this is a relatively short drive of under 3 hours, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving Knoxville in the morning allows for ample time to reach South Pittsburg with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major exit is 83.1 miles on I-75, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $22, it's an economical trip. This route's direct interstate nature means you can adjust your departure time with flexibility.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.9 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 19m 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 31 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 69.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Pittsburg, 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 139.8 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 75 for about 83.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lebanon, TN

70 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

Lenoir City, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Calhoun, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.9 miles from Knoxville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14237604333

Visit website

Renaissance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14236436096

Marble Springs State Historic Site

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18655735508

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 139.8 — 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.
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
5
137.2 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in

Take the exit toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 152A Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
5
139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.86 one way

$43.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.00 $47.99
premium $4.89 $26.90 $53.81
diesel $5.61 $30.87 $61.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.9 0 $14.68 $6.71
Efficient EV 35 0 $12.23 $5.59
EV Truck/SUV 55.9 0 $19.57 $8.95

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 20, 2026

Origin

Knoxville, TN

Morning in Knoxville on Tuesday

Local time

7:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Pittsburg, TN

Morning in South Pittsburg on Tuesday

Local time

6:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

17 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

2h 39m 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 is predominantly on interstates, with 96% of the 139.8 miles on highways. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 83.1 miles on I-75 before transitioning to other major interstates. Expect a consistent cruising experience with many exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate between these main arteries. The highway focus means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops on surface roads.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 24. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 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.

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 South Pittsburg, TN, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.

Nashville

103.2 mi in | ~1h 55m

Chattanooga

103.9 mi in | ~1h 56m | via I 24

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 2h 39m. Total distance: 139.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Pittsburg, TN before heading back.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

South Pittsburg, TN to Knoxville, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

139.7 mi 2h 38m

Continue From South Pittsburg, TN

Clarksville, TN 153.8 mi · 2h 57m Nashville, TN 108.2 mi · 2h 6m

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