Embark on a 370.7-mile journey from Munford, TN, to Knoxville, TN, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 51 minutes. This route is best tackled in a single day, making it an ideal option for a focused road trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, it's an economical way to travel across Tennessee. The drive primarily utilizes local roads, so expect a more involved and potentially turn-heavy experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you traverse the state.
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
183.9 miles from Munford, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
318.2 mi
5h 45m
State Route 54
21.7 mi
32m
US 51
11.5 mi
17m
East Main Street
9.7 mi
14m
Downtown Loop
2.9 mi
4m
Munford-Atoka Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
East Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
West Pleasant Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 318.2 mi, about 5h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Munford, TN and Knoxville, TN.
1
Start on SR 178
163 ft·5 sec·North Tipton Street
2
Turn left onto TN 206
1.5 mi·2 min·Munford-Atoka Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 51
0.5 mi·48 sec·US 51
4
Continue on US 51
3.0 mi·4 min·US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 51
6.4 mi·9 min·US 51
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 51; TN 59
1.7 mi·3 min·US 51; TN 59
7
Turn right onto TN 54
0.3 mi·30 sec·West Pleasant Avenue
8
Turn left onto TN 54
302 ft·7 sec·South Maple Street
9
Turn right onto TN 54
0.4 mi·33 sec·East Liberty Avenue
10
Continue on TN 54
22 mi·32 min·State Route 54
11
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
392 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
12
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi·14 min·East Main Street
13
Turn left
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 66Toward US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
14
Merge onto I 40
141 mi·2 hr 32 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.9 mi·3 min·I 40
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 388Toward Convention Center, East Tennessee History Center, Museum of Art
22
Continue on US 441
0.2 mi·27 sec·Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 441
255 ft·11 sec·Henley Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 441
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 51-minute duration, starting your drive from Munford earlier in the day is recommended to allow ample time for the numerous turns and local road navigation. While the drive can be completed in one day, factor in at least one stop for fuel and a break, especially since there isn't a significant highway stretch to rely on for quick services. Keep an eye on your navigation system closely, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means missed turns can easily add unexpected time to your journey. The estimated fuel cost of $56 should cover the 370.7 miles, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 183.9 miles from Munford, TN, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 318.2 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 81 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 53m
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 Munford, 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 Munford, TN
This is one driving day of about 367.9 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Munford, 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 318.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.4 and 367.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.4 mi into trip|~20m in|TN 54 / South Maple Street
Turn left onto TN 54 / South Maple Street
Navigation decision point
9
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
190 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
6
366.7 mi into trip|~6h 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
367.1 mi into trip|~6h 59m 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
$57.52 one way
$115.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$63.15
$126.30
premium
$4.89
$70.80
$141.60
diesel
$5.61
$81.23
$162.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.4
1
$38.63
$17.66
Efficient EV
92
1
$32.19
$14.72
EV Truck/SUV
147.2
1
$51.51
$23.55
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Munford, TN
Morning
in Munford on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knoxville, TN
Morning
in Knoxville on Sunday
Local time
10:22 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
20 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 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 203
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be navigating a series of connecting roads rather than high-speed highways. With a 0% highway share, you're in for a continuous experience on surface streets and local thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation and road conditions as you weave through communities.
96% 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: 318.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Route 54. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in near TN 54 / South Maple Street.
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 14 significant decision points across 367.9 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 13.4 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 186.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Munford, TN and Knoxville, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
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 7h. Total distance: 367.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 318.2 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles (TN 54 / South Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 186.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Knoxville, TN before the return drive.
