This 111.2-mile journey from Knoxville, TN to Spencer, TN takes approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. You'll primarily travel on I-40, Sparta Highway, and Spencer Highway, with about 60% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Southeast region, ideal for a quick excursion without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a single day to comfortably complete this drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Knoxville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
64.2 mi
1h 10m
Sparta Highway
25.9 mi
38m
Spencer Highway
12 mi
16m
US 70
2.5 mi
5m
West Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Mayberry Street
1 mi
1m
West Bockman Way
0.8 mi
1m
Western Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, TN and Spencer, 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 right at fork onto SR 111
9.4 mi·12 min·Spencer Highway
20
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.2 mi·58 sec·Spring Street
21
Turn left onto Burritt College Drive
0.1 mi·32 sec·Burritt College Drive
22
Turn right onto SR 30
0.2 mi·20 sec·SR 30
23
Turn right onto Sparta Street
42 ft·1 sec·Sparta Street
24
Arrive at destination
Sparta Street
Trip Plan
This drive is well-suited for a single day, so you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving Knoxville in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Spencer without feeling rushed. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 64.2 miles on I-40, plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer to break up longer driving periods. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto Sparta Highway and Spencer Highway, where services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The total fuel cost is estimated at $17.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.6 miles from Knoxville, TN, or about 1h 2m 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 24 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencer, 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 111.2 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Knoxville, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
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 1.5 and 70.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West, I 75 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
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
5
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 70 / Sparta Highway
Turn left onto US 70 / Sparta Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.38 one way
$34.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.09
$38.18
premium
$4.89
$21.40
$42.80
diesel
$5.61
$24.55
$49.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spencer, TN
Morning
in Spencer on Sunday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, balancing interstate efficiency with local road progression. With 60% of the route on highways, you'll experience stretches of faster travel, including a significant 64.2-mile segment on I-40. As you transition from I-40 to Sparta Highway and then Spencer Highway, expect the driving experience to shift, offering a change of pace from the initial interstate cruising. This blend means you get both steady progress and a feel for the local Tennessee landscape along the way.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
7/10
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 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 111.2 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 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
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 Spencer, 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 2h 23m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Spencer, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Spencer, TN before heading back.
