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Trip from Lebanon, TN to Knoxville, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

95.7 mi

154 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

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 in Wilson County, Tennessee, United States

Lebanon, TN

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Knoxville, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 95.7-mile drive from Lebanon to Knoxville, Tennessee, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours. The majority of your journey, 88%, will be on major highways, making it an efficient trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region, staying within the state of Tennessee for the entire excursion. This drive is ideal for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated transit between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47.8 miles from Lebanon, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 80.3 mi 1h 27m
Old Alabama Road Southwest 3.1 mi 7m
South Lee Highway 2.9 mi 4m
I 40 2.9 mi 3m
Rakestraw Road 1.2 mi 4m
US 74 1.1 mi 1m
Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest 1 mi 2m
Tunnel Hill Road 0.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 80.3 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, TN and Knoxville, TN.

1

Start on Tunnel Hill Road

0.8 mi · 3 min · Tunnel Hill Road
2

Keep slight left at fork onto Candies Creek Road Southwest

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Candies Creek Road Southwest
3

Continue on Candies Creek Road Southwest

0.4 mi · 1 min · Candies Creek Road Southwest
4

Turn right onto Rakestraw Road

1.2 mi · 4 min · Rakestraw Road
5

Turn right onto Old Alabama Road Southwest

3.1 mi · 7 min · Old Alabama Road Southwest
6

Turn left onto Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest

1.0 mi · 2 min · Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest
7

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; US 64

2.9 mi · 4 min · South Lee Highway
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto US 74

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 74
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
11

Merge onto I 75

80 mi · 1 hr 27 min · I 75
Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 40
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
15

Continue on US 441

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 441

255 ft · 11 sec · Henley Street
17

Arrive at destination

US 441

Trip Plan

Given the short 2-hour duration and 95.7-mile distance, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart Lebanon, TN, at your convenience, whether it's a morning start to arrive in Knoxville with plenty of daylight or an afternoon departure. With no specific stops recommended, you can pace yourself as needed, keeping the $15 fuel estimate in mind. A practical tip for this route: monitor traffic conditions on I-75, especially as you approach the Knoxville area, as congestion can sometimes impact travel times, even on shorter drives.

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 47.8 miles from Lebanon, TN, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 21 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.8 miles or 1h 7m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, TN

This is one driving day of about 95.7 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lebanon, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 80.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Athens, TN

48 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

Calhoun, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Johnson, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from Lebanon, 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 80.3 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Knoxville, Tennessee

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.7

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Capybara Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.7

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Market Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 95.7

Knoxville, Tennessee

+18652154248

Visit website

Red Clay State Historic Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Cleveland, Tennessee

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18888672757

Visit website

Marble Springs State Historic Site

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 95.7

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 95 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | Candies Creek Road Southwest

Keep slight left at fork onto Candies Creek Road Southwest

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
9.7 mi into trip | ~24m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
11.4 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
94.6 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...
7
95 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 388 Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee Histor...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.96 one way

$29.92 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.43 $32.85
premium $4.89 $18.42 $36.83
diesel $5.61 $21.13 $42.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.7 0 $10.05 $4.59
Efficient EV 23.9 0 $8.37 $3.83
EV Truck/SUV 38.3 0 $13.40 $6.12

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 18, 2026

Origin

Lebanon, TN

Morning in Lebanon on Sunday

Local time

6:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, TN

Morning in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

6:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

84°F

Athens, TN

48 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

10 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 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?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 95.7-mile route, with 88% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-75. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 80.3 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your journey. While the route is largely highway-centric, brief segments on Old Alabama Road Southwest and South Lee Highway will introduce some local road character before rejoining the interstate system. This blend offers a practical balance for covering distance efficiently.

88% 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: 80.3 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Old Alabama Road Southwest. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Candies Creek Road Southwest.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 95.7 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 0.8 miles (Candies Creek Road Southwest): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving 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. Total distance: 95.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on I 75. 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 Knoxville, 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 0.8 miles (Candies Creek Road Southwest): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Knoxville, 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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