This 151-mile drive from Manchester to Knoxville, Tennessee, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via I-40, with segments on Crossville Highway and Sparta Highway contributing to the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Considering the relatively short duration, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous adventure or a planned excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
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
75.5 miles from Manchester, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
67.4 mi
1h 14m
Crossville Highway
20.9 mi
31m
Sparta Highway
14.9 mi
18m
McMinnville Highway
10.9 mi
13m
Manchester Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Memorial Highway
7.6 mi
8m
H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manchester, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on US 41
59 ft·3 sec·Murfreesboro Highway
2
Continue on US 41
0.6 mi·1 min·Hillsboro Boulevard
3
Turn sharp left onto SR 55
11 mi·13 min·McMinnville Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on SR 55
8.4 mi·9 min·Manchester Highway
5
Continue on SR 55
4.1 mi·4 min·H T Pelham Memorial Parkway
6
Continue on US 70S
3.5 mi·4 min·Bobby Ray Memorial Parkway
7
Continue on US 70S
0.5 mi·34 sec·Sparta Street
8
Continue on US 70S
9.9 mi·11 min·Sparta Highway
9
Continue on US 70S
2.9 mi·3 min·Bone Cave Parkway
10
Continue on US 70S
7.6 mi·8 min·Memorial Highway
11
Merge onto US 70S; SR 111
2.8 mi·3 min·Spencer Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
268 ft·7 sec
14
Turn straight onto TN 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Mayberry Street
15
Turn right onto US 70
0.8 mi·1 min·West Bockman Way
16
Continue on US 70
21 mi·31 min·Crossville Highway
17
Continue on US 70
4.9 mi·7 min·Sparta Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on Elmore Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Elmore Road
19
Turn right onto US 127
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
20
Turn left onto SR 298
2.1 mi·3 min·Genesis Road
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
22
Merge onto I 40
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
26
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
For this 151-mile drive, leaving Manchester, TN, in the morning will allow you to reach Knoxville with plenty of daylight. With a duration of just over 3 hours, you won't need to worry about splitting the trip, and the flexibility means you can depart at your leisure. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is 67.4 miles on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you're not starting with a full tank, as the estimated fuel cost is $23. A practical tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the transitions between I-40 and the local highways like Crossville Highway to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.
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 75.5 miles from Manchester, TN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 34m
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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, TN
This is one driving day of about 151 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Manchester, 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 67.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 150.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 55 / McMinnville Highway
Turn sharp left onto SR 55 / McMinnville Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
82.4 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
149.8 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
150.2 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
$23.61 one way
$47.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.92
$51.84
premium
$4.89
$29.06
$58.12
diesel
$5.61
$33.34
$66.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.3
0
$15.85
$7.25
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.21
$6.04
EV Truck/SUV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Manchester, TN
Morning
in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
3h 5m 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 predominantly highway, with 52% of the journey on interstates like I-40. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 67.4 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While much of the route is on faster roads, there are also sections on Crossville Highway and Sparta Highway that will introduce a more mixed driving experience. This blend means you won't be solely in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a combination that keeps the drive engaging for its 3-hour duration.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.4 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 0.6 miles in near SR 55 / McMinnville Highway.
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 12 significant decision points across 151 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 0.6 miles (SR 55 / McMinnville Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 82.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 5m. Total distance: 151 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 55 / McMinnville Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 82.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
