Origin
Nashville, TN
Night in Nashville on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nashville, TN to Rocky Top, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
175.6 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nashville, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Rocky Top, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Nashville, TN to Rocky Top, TN is 175.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m via I-24, I-40, and Harriman Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Tennessee, making it a convenient same-day trip. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, offering a straightforward journey with minimal deviations. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient travel day.
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
87.8 miles from Nashville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 80.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 40 | 56.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| Harriman Highway | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| Briceville Highway | 9 mi | 18m |
| Frost Bottom Road | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| US 27 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| West Tri County Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Downtown Loop | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, TN and Rocky Top, TN.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
James Robertson Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
451 ft
·
9 sec
·
Interstate Drive
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 24 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Downtown Loop
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 24
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40
56 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 27: Harriman, Rockwood
10
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft
·
8 sec
11
Merge onto US 27
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
US 27
12
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 61
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Harriman Highway
13
Continue on SR 61
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Tri County Boulevard
14
Turn right onto SR 330
447 ft
·
10 sec
·
Winter Gap Road
15
Turn left onto SR 330
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
16
Continue on SR 330
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
17
Turn left onto SR 330
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Spring Street
18
Continue on SR 330
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Walden Avenue
19
Continue on SR 330
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Dutch Valley Road
20
Turn left onto SR 330
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Frost Bottom Road
21
Continue on SR 116
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Briceville Highway
22
Continue on SR 116
234 ft
·
6 sec
·
Briceville Highway
23
Continue on SR 116
3.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Briceville Highway
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 25W
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
25
Turn right onto 4th Street
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
4th Street
26
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 32 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so consider an early morning departure to maximize your time upon arrival. With only one stop suggested and 82% of the route on highways, you can easily make this drive without extensive planning. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Nashville. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-40 to Harriman Highway, as this marks the most significant change in road character.
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 87.8 miles from Nashville, TN, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 1h 38m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rocky Top, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN
This is one driving day of about 175.6 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Nashville, 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 24 for about 80.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.8 miles from Nashville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 2.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
James Robertson Parkway
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Interstate Drive
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 24 East
9
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 24 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 lane.
Exit 50A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.45 one way
$54.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.14 | $60.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.79 | $67.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.58 | $11.24 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Rocky Top, TN
Late night in Rocky Top on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
29 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
3h 32m 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.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 18.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience extended stretches on I-24, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 80.6 miles. While the majority of your time will be spent on these faster roads, the inclusion of Harriman Highway suggests a shift towards more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, punctuated by transitions between major highways.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.6 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard.
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 16 significant decision points across 175.6 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 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Nashville, TN to Rocky Top, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Rockwood along the way.
Rockwood
139.4 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 175.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.6 miles on I 24. 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 Rocky Top, 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 0.4 miles (Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (James Robertson Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Interstate Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Rocky Top, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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